The 2026 Star Sports & Orchestrate Ltd English Greyhound Derby final draw

Derby final Draw

The Greyhound Derby lunch at Towcester saw the draw for the final of the Star Sports & Orchestrate Ltd English Greyhound Derby, with all six runners representing Irish trainers. 

It's the 10th year of the sponsorship of Star Sports for the race with it described as "an honour and a privilege" by Ben Keith to be tasked with giving the sponsors speech at the Derby lunch once more. 

"I can never remember a year as a family that we have come as close as we have this year to shine to our community and the wider world." Keith went on as he described the difficulties that the sport has faced of late in both Wales and Scotland, along with the added pressure from animal activists. 

"It's goes without saying that I wish everyone the best of luck in Saturday's bit race. It's going to be very open and I'm hoping for a trouble free race and the best dog to win."

1 - Ballymac Duffle - Liam Dowling - Mr L Dowling 

Set a new track record in the first and second round of this competition. The latter came when he was clad in red as he will be in the final on Saturday night. 

Liam Dowling said: "I wanted to see Duffle inside of Ralf. To be fair to the dog he is probably devoid of a small bit of early pace but he's well drawn. Limerick (Kirby Memorial) was all about getting some experience into the dogs with the plan always to come here." 

2 - Ballymac Ralf - Liam Dowling - Mr L Dowling 

The strong runner has only really taken one 'ping' break so far in the competition, a 3.75 in the second round. That came from the blue jacket so supporters will have some hope that being in this starting slot will help him. Came away well in the semis from wider out but found all sorts of trouble before flashing home.

Liam Dowling said: "Duffle is the faster dog but Ralf ran a super race at the weekend. He's a tidier dog and in terms of determination and effort, they are both very capable dogs."

3 - Lennies Eddie - Paul Hennessy - Mr L Craze 

Brilliantly consistent through the competition, his worst break came from the red jacket in the opening round but he came away better in his semi from that slot. Runner-up to Underground Gold in round two from trap four, he has not had the white jacket yet in the competition but this has not been a happy starting spot so far. 

Susan Hennessy said: "We're just happy to be here, we'd have taken any trap. He's a precocious youngster, ideally this one (Derby) would have been his preparation for next year, we did that with Jaytee Pet. We came over with six, our youngest team ever, we had high hopes, but having high hopes and getting there are two different things."

4 - Hackney Corner - Pat Buckley - Hackney Boys Syndicate 

Produced his best run of the competition on Saturday night when winning his semi-final. The drawing of the two middle seeds could be all important as they both look for the best position on the run to the bend. His 3.73 split in his semi was by far his best, nine spots quicker than anything else he has achieved. Can he do that again?

5 - Ballymac Deniro - Liam Dowling - Mr L Dowling 

Will start the Derby final from the same slot as when he stopped the clock at a spot off the track record in his semi-final win on Saturday night. That was an electric performance and a repeat of that could be enough if he is able to clear those inside him to the turn.

Liam Dowling said: "The dog was a bit slower coming to hand than the other two but he's a very laid back dog and he's starting to get used to the track and has trapped in the last two rounds. You'd like to think (there is more to come) he's still quite puppyish, but he's a gentleman when you parade him, he's focused on his job."

6 - Lennies Tank - Paul Hennessy - Mr L Craze 

The sole wide runner in the contest, there was no other trap that he could have drawn. The track has not been particularly conducive to wide runners so he has performed well to get himself to the decider. Won his opening round heat, finishing fourth in each of his other four rounds contested. 

Susan Hennessy said: "He had more miles on the clock (than Eddie) and has always had a reputation as a character, he's Tank by name and tank by nature, he just loves life. It's not going to plan for him (as a front runner not leading) but he's battling, I couldn't be more proud of him as he puts in such an effort. He's a lovely dog in every way."