Derby joy spread far and wide

Derby joy spread far and wide

With the dust still settling on a superb Star Sports/TRC Greyhound Derby at Towcester, there is a renewed optimism surrounding this great sport of ours.

A crowd of 3,500 people packed into Towcester for Saturday’s final and the night will live long in the memory for anyone who was there, and even for those couldn’t make it to the track – thanks to fantastic coverage from Gone To The Dogs – live!

Promoted by Greyhound Racing UK and staged brilliantly by all of those involved at Towcester, there was something special about this year’s Derby and that has been reflected in the waves of positive reactions to the event.

The message has been spread far and wide this year, with Greyhound Racing UK’s social media impressions reaching more than 3.3 million in the last 30 days. Indeed, they recorded just short of one million impressions in the last seven days alone, and there has been an outpouring of praise on all platforms for the running of the 2025 renewal.

The dogs are the undoubted stars of the show and they more than played their part with the most exciting Classic decider in many years. Droopys Plunge stole the headlines on that front, as he powered home to land the £175, 000 first prize from Irish superstar Bockos Diamond and give his Belgian-born trainer, Patrick Janssens, a second Derby victory.

However, it was about much more than 'just' the big race this year, with the sport feeling united for the first time in a long while as everybody pulled in the same direction in the hope of seeing the best Deby in recent memory. They certainly got their wish, and there is more of where that came from.

The role Gone To The Dogs - live! has played in the success of this year's Derby should not be underestimated. At the time of writing, Saturday's show had been streamed over 36,000 times and that figure continues to rise. Dani Jackson, Joe Coneely and rest of the GTTD team have really brought a 'big race' feel back to greyhound broadcasting and there was a real sense of occasion about their programme for the final. Hopefully, it's onwards and upwards for them, and social media users praised their efforts in the droves over the weekend.

The success of the event was also reflected in the betting front, with huge turnover both on and off course.

Ben Keith, who owns sponsors Star Sports, said on X: "I have never seen action in any betting-ring in terms of cash bets that I saw at tonight's #GreyhoundDerbt2025 Final."

Kim Sanzone of Star Sports said: "“This year’s Derby had the feel of years gone by, with a sensational final, superb atmosphere and a thriving betting ring on Saturday night. 

"The whole event has given a huge lift to the sport and I honestly don’t think I have read as many positive comments throughout the competition as I have this year – the 2025 Star Sports Greyhound Derby was a much needed boost for the industry in general and especially the greyhound community”. 

Derek Hope of William Hill also reported doing big business on Saturday night.

"Turnover was excellent, we were really pleased with that," said Hope.

"Had Bockos Diamond won, it wouldn't have been a good night for us because we boosted him to 5/4. 

When asked about his thoughts on the Derby as whole this year, Hope couldn't hardly have been more impressed with what he saw.

He added: "It's been an excellent Derby, I think it has been one of the best.

"The final was the best I have ever seen. It was brilliant, and the fact that there were only two and a half lengths covering the whole field was quite fitting."

BetGoodwin's Alan Bridle expressed similar thoughts.

"BetGoodwin were delighted to be present at Towcester Saturday for what was surely the best Greyhound Derby Final for many a year," explained Bridle.

"The race didn't disappoint with Bombay Pat a surprise leader followed closely by the favourite Bockos Diamond. 

"As Bockos hits the front, everyone expected him to go on and win but they should have looked at the gap opening up on the inside allowing Droopys Plunge to come with a barnstorming run and take the hallowed prize. What a race!"

BetGoodwin teamed up Gone To The Dogs - live! to sponsor the show and Bridle was very happy with what he saw.

He continued: "BetGoodwin were very proud to sponsor the Gone To The Dogs - live! coverage of this year's Greyhound Derby from the first round stage all the way through to the final. 

"The production was exceptional and everyone associated should give themselves a huge pat on the back. We hope that GTTD will now be shown to a wider audience which is where we feel it belongs. 

"BetGoodwin will continue to support greyhound racing in any way we can."

Planning has already begun for the 2026 Derby and if what we've witnessed over the last five weeks at Towcester is anything to by, then the future of the sport looks very bright indeed.