Retired greyhound owners urged to show their support for one-off charity race in April

Race for retired greyhounds set for A Celebration of Willow

Owners of retired greyhounds are being called upon to participant in a one-off charity race over a straight track in Lambourn next year for the Alabama Rot Research Fund.

A Celebration of Willow #3 will host the first Retired Greyhound Dash on Saturday, April 24, at Lambourn Sports Club near Swindon with entries for up to six greyhounds now open.

The race will be held over 150yrds with the winner receiving a trophy, a commemorative photo and all participants and their owners leaving the night with a special goody bag.

It will form part of a seven-race card with entries for other races – including the Dachshund Derby, Terrier Dash, Labrador Stakes and a children’s relay race – also open.

Organiser Shaun Reynolds founded A Celebration of Willow in 2024 after he lost one of his whippets to the one in a multi-million disease. To date, the race nights have helped raise almost £20,000 for the Alabama Rot Research Fund.

The sports club’s football pitch is transformed into a track for one night only with live music, food and drink outlets, a silent auction, raffle, craft stalls, lawn games and children’s entertainment provided.

New to 2027 will be a dog agility ring, plus a show ring where categories including Best in Show and Waggiest Tail will be decided.

With more than 500 people expected, Shaun hopes to see plenty of faces from the greyhound racing community trackside.

“Historically, A Celebration of Willow has been a night of whippet racing,” said Shaun.

“But next year’s event will run with a twist.

“However lazy, enthusiastic or slow your greyhound might be, get involved! This is a great opportunity for us to showcase how fantastic retired greyhounds are as pets while having fun and raising funds for a cause which means an awful lot to me.

“The race will be started by a hand slip, so no trapping experience is necessary. And even better, we’ll be running a charity tote on the night so you’ll be able to cheer your much-loved hound home.

“Spaces are limited to six greyhounds only, so if you’d like to enter please get in touch as soon as possible.”

To enter your retired greyhound into next year’s Retired Greyhound Dash please contact Shaun via 07464 930146. Each confirmed entry costs £5 which will guarantee your place. All proceeds on the night will be donated to the Alabama Rot Research Fund.

The field will open at 4pm, with the first of seven races on the night off at 6pm.