"It's absolutely the right track for the Derby" - Wallis in no doubt about Towcester

Towcester decision is good news for the sport, says Wallis

Mark Wallis has welcomed the decision to award the English Greyhound Derby permanently to the Betway Towcester Racecourse. 

A five-year deal to stage the sport's biggest race was announced on Friday and Wallis, the 16-time champion trainer, is fully behind the decision which he believes gives the sport some sort of security, albeit in difficult times.

"It's certainly good news and probably overdue good news for all of us involved in greyhound racing," said Wallis, who numbers two English Derby successes to his name in a trophy-laden career.

"Funding for horse and greyhound racing is under scrutiny, costs for trainers are increasing - especially in terms of petrol and diesel - as is the cost of living generally, and that's even before we're having to constantly defend ourselves from attacks from ill-informed people who now also have horse racing in their sights.

"Thankfully, as Ben Keith said, we're a family and there are hundreds of good people who work in and around greyhound racing who only have the dogs at heart - and you sense we are pulling together even more nowadays. We've had enough of listening to the nonsense and are ready to fight back - with truths, not lies.

"And sending out a positive message about the Derby is also key. The Towcester decision is the right one. I'm pretty sure if you asked everyone their opinion 90 per cent would favour Towcester over any other track - it's absolutely the right track for the Derby if you're factoring in all the reasons and requirements for hosting such a huge event.

"And seeing the deal is for five years is great. It means it's set in stone, trainers and breeders can plan and target the Derby, owners can look forward to being well looked after there, and it just feels right. We had White City for many years, then Wimbledon, and now Towcester - and I know the team there will be looking to make each year better than the last. That's Mike's (Davis) way."

Davis, the Towcester promoter, is also very much at the heart of the MWD Partnership with Wallis, set up long before his links with Towcester. Between them they have been responsible for a host of the sport's most recent champions including Crafty Shivoo, New Destiny, Mongys Wild and current stars Strike It Skye and Proper Heiress, the reigning Greyhound of the Year.

"We'd love to win another Derby, of course, and Towcester would be the best place to do that, especially for Mike," added Wallis. 

"Firstly we need to find three or four potential contenders. These days that's a tougher job than ever with potential Derby-class dogs difficult to source, but I’m sure we'll find a contender or two in the coming months."