Ladbrokes Winter Derby 2025

Monmore’s first Category One competition of 2025, the Ladbrokes Winter Derby, has attracted a high class field and kicks off proceedings at the track on Saturday with all six races of the competition comprising the first half of the card.

Tony Williamson, Racing Manager at Monmore says 

“We had 56 entries in total, so there were a lot of difficult decisions to make. We’d again like to offer commiserations to the connections of the greyhounds who didn’t make it into the competition. 

“It’s a really strong line-up this year full of previous Category One winners including two greyhounds who have won major honours here at Monmore before – Churchfield Syd and Links Maverick. 

“All the top trainers are involved and we’re really looking forward to getting the competition started on Saturday night. 

“Belinda Green’s Gary The Arb has put in some stellar showings over the past month and has been drawn in trap one in the first heat, with Links Maverick in two. 

“Two Category One winners are in the second heat in Aayamza Sydney and Droopys Display, while El Tornillo is in trap five in heat four and ran superbly to win the Division One open race here last weekend. 

“Across all six heats, there’s undoubted quality. Proper Heiress is in the fourth heat, too, having clocked 27.86secs in a solo trial on Saturday. 

“Our restaurant is almost full now for this Saturday, with all the tables of fours and sixes gone and just the banqueting seats left.  

“Hopefully we’ll have a good amount come and enjoy the racing on the terraces as well. We can’t wait to get started.” 

Away from the Ladbrokes Winter Derby, there are three Puppy Open races on the card with connections likely to be eyeing up an assault on the forthcoming Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby which kicks off on Saturday March 1.

There are a number of interesting looking youngsters lining up, none more so than the Patrick Janssens-trained Romeo Tomcat. He made an impressive winning debut at Central Park on January 25, leading in the early stages before drawing clear to win by 17 ¾ lengths, stopping the clock in an impressive 28.70.  

That may not have been the strongest of races but he’s moved well in a recent trial at Monmore, recording 28.31 calculated. Only Droopys Aladdin went quicker in three puppy races that night This race looks to be much stronger, with the likes of the Liz McNair-trained King Jackson and the Mark Wallis-trained Rackethall Brute in opposition.  

As mentioned by Williamson, the restaurant at Monmore is practically sold out but there are a few places still available and Party Pack bookings can be made via the website. 

General Admission is payable on the gate and priced at £7 for adults, £3 for OAPs while under-18s are free with an accompanying adult.  

https://monmoregreyhounds.com/race-events/saturday-8th-february-2025