Further track improvements at Towcester to come says Josh Sealey

Picture from Josh Sealey's X feed

Josh Sealey embracing Towcester track improvements 

It is fair to say 2025 was a rollercoaster year for the Sealey family.

Swindon’s closure in December and this week’s news that the future of the schooling track at Bicester was in doubt again were certainly low points, but one member of the family is delighted to be back in the game.

After four years away from the industry, which he admits was largely due to constant rumours of Swindon’s demise, Josh Sealey is back and masterminding improvements at Towcester ahead of the 2026 Star Sports & Orchestrate English Greyhound Derby.

But he concedes it was a sad day when Swindon finally closed its doors.

“One of the main reasons I stepped away from the sport was the looming threat of closure (of Swindon). We knew it was happening, but getting information and certainty was impossible and I walked away.

“So while we knew it was going, it still came as a shock.

“That stadium meant a great deal to so many people and it was home to a wonderful group of trainers, owners, and staff who all shared a genuine passion for the sport,” he said, echoing trainer Paul Foster’s obvious sadness about the Blunsdon’s track closure. Foster, whose kennels were at the stadium, has since announced his retirement.

Sealey said Swindon would always hold special memories.

“It’s where I met my wife, and our little boy, Oscar, had the honour of completing the final lap on his tractor of the track. That’s something I’ll never forget.”

But his move to Towcester has definitely rekindled the spark, but he does make one admission.

“I’ll be honest, I wasn’t a huge fan at first,” he admitted. “However, when we received the call a month or so before the new team took over, we decided to visit and put together a list of changes we felt were necessary.

“Since then, a huge amount of work has gone in. To date, we’ve replaced all the hare rail bend sections to prevent the cable from falling off the rollers, have added a new skate-type mechanism, and completed a general overhaul.

“We’ve added over 300 tonnes of high-grade silica sand with higher clay content to improve moisture retention, binding, and track cambering.

“We’ve also begun the installation of a 460m trip, are preparing to replace the 500m traps, installed a new lake pump to significantly speed up bowser filling, and invested in all new equipment from a Quadraplay, to tractors and harrows, blades and a land-leveller.

“In short, we’ve equipped ourselves with every key piece of machinery needed to maximise the performance and consistency of the racing surface.

“We’ve also introduced thermal track covers, which have already paid for themselves with the loss of no meetings and minimising salt usage.

“I need to give huge credit to Richard Thomas and Mike Davis and the team at Towcester for allowing us to continue making these improvements and for trusting us with the responsibility of maintaining their track to the highest standard possible.”

Sealey also revealed there are more improvements to come.

“We’re planning to install new hare motors as backups, will introduce a pickup curtain, plus plan to replace the inside running rail within the next four to six weeks.

“This will be a major improvement visually and, more importantly, for racing safety.

“In addition, we’ll ensure spare parts or rapid replacements are available for all critical equipment to minimise downtime on race nights and are developing a comprehensive maintenance plan to monitor and manage all aspects of track upkeep.

“We’ll also re-align the track lighting.

“Of course, given I still have full-time work commitments, getting to the track hasn’t always been easy!

“However, we’ve worked most weekends to reach the point we’re at now, and having my dad (Derren Sealey) on site full-time as head groundsman has been a massive boost in maintaining the high standards!

“James Chalkley and I speak most days about the next move, and it’s been great working alongside someone who shares the same drive and vision for what this sport can and should be.

“That sentiment extends to the entire Towcester team. Everyone is pulling together and doing their bit.”

Pulling together was part of the ethos of the Bicester schooling track that Sealey's grandfather Jeff made into a family-run venture with three generations of the Sealey family working there.

"I drove my first tractor at Bicester" Josh reminisced, "it’s been a huge part of my life growing up so a real shame to see it come to this. 

"Hopefully, numbers increase and he (Jeff) can look at getting it back open again but the hours and money that he’s spent keeping the surface one of the safest around needs dogs through the door to be sustainable.

"One thing is my grandad would never take shortcuts on the surface and anyone who’s been will know the track is always in perfect condition."