No minimum term as Derby opens to tender

THE venue of next year’s English Derby is now open to tender with the GBGB inviting expressions of interest from tracks wishing to host the Classic.

This year’s competition, won by Patrick Janssens’ Droopys Plunge, was the fourth of a five-year agreement with Towcester promoter Kevin Boothby. However, with Mike Davis, through his Orchestrate company, fully taking over at the Northamptonshire circuit from November 1 after agreeing a ten-year lease with owners the Hesketh family, the previous contract becomes invalid.

Tracks have been invited to contact GBGB at info@gbgb.org.uk by Monday, October 13 to register an interest in hosting the 2026 Derby and then to be prepared to submit detailed bids by the end of the month.

An industry panel will consider the bids and a decision will be made on or before November 7.

Among the criteria by which bids will be assessed are ease of access for trainers, owners and spectators, crowd capacity, financial guarantees and sponsor partnerships.

No specific period of tenure  has been stated, with GBGB’s Mark Moisley saying yesterday: “The five-year deal was something Towcester was keen to commit to under Kevin Boothby, but it is not a prerequisite for those applying now.

“Each expression of interest will be considered and treated on its merits, with the length of the agreement not necessarily a determining factor.”

Having taken over the non-racing side of the Towcester operation before this year’s competition – which was hailed as one of the best Derbys to be staged at the track – it is believed Davis is keen to retain the sport’s premier competition.

New Arc track Dunstall Park, whose first major competition got under way with heats of the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks last night, is another venue to have been mooted as a potential host.

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