Discussions are well underway as the Produce Stakes seeks a new home
With the imminent closure of Swindon, the Produce Stakes is looking for a new home and it is believed that Towcester will be that track.
Towcester could be the new home of the Produce Stakes
The Produce Stakes could be set for a new home in 2026 - at Towcester.
It is understood discussions have taken place between the Northamptonshire track and the British Greyhound Breeders Forum on a brand new start for the event in 2026.
Staged for the last time at Swindon in September when victory went to Angie Kibble’s Eagles Respect, the Produce Stakes would rubberstamp Towcester’s support of British breeding given the home of the English Greyhound Derby hosts the BGBF Greyhound Stud Book Trophy next month.
The suggestion is the Produce Stakes would run in August next year - pending GBGB approval.
If agreement is reached, the Northamptonshire track would become just the third venue to host the famous competition which was formerly known as the Western Two-Year-Old Produce Stakes.
First staged at the Eastville Stadium, Bristol, in 1946, the Produce Stakes moved to Swindon in 1998. Recent winners have included a quartet of Liz McNair-trained champions in Greyhound of the Year King Elvis (2017), King Sheeran (2019), Queen Jessiej (2020) and Queen Joni (2023).
Derby-winning trainer Kevin Hutton also has a brace of recent Produce Stakes successes with Signet Denver (2022) and Southfield Poppy (2024). July’s 79th running of the Produce Stakes, the last at Swindon, suitably went to a local hope with Eagles Respect successful for longstanding Blunsdon trainer Angie Kibble and owner Jonathan Miles.
Heather Dimmock bred the July 2023 son of Tommy Shelby and A Little Respect who made a winning six-bend debut in a heat of the BetGoodwin Stayers last weekend. He runs in Sunday’s final at the Cowley track.
English Puppy Derby options
Towcester is considering its options on the English Puppy Derby and will make an announcement soon. The event had looked under threat given the transfer of lease at the venue from Kevin Boothby to Orchestrate but could still be saved.
Meanwhile, the bet365 Puppy Oaks will now take place at Oxford over 450m, having been switched to the Cowley track at the request of the sponsors. Heats will be staged on Sunday, December 14, with the semi-finals on Sunday, December 21 and the £10,000 final on Sunday, December 28.
