The Greyhound Derby is the biggest race of the year in the sport of greyhound racing and regarded by many as the biggest greyhound race in the world.
Although it is trumped in Australia in terms of prize money, the history and prestige of the six-round event is unrivalled.
Much like Cheltenham in the world of horse racing, all-year round there is discussion and attention on the antepost market of the Greyhound Derby with all the top trackers prepped and aimed at the big prize.
While there are numerous big races over four bends in the UK, ranging from 380m up to 515m, this is the prize every useful open-class dog is aimed at at the start of the summer.
Irish-based English trainer Graham Holland long chased the Derby dream and finally landed an elusive title in 2022 with his British bred Romeo Magico and followed up with historic back-to-back titles with Gaytime Nemo in 2023.
Holland became the first trainer to win back-to-back English Derbies since the 'Derby King' himself Charlie Lister OBE (Bandicoot Tipoki 2009 and Taylors Sky 2010).
Legendary handler Lister is known as the 'Derby King' having secured seven Derby titles - the most of any trainer since the first-ever Derby in 1927 and comfortably the most in the modern era of the sport.
The 1990s
A decade which saw Tony Meek land back-to-back titles, three Irish-based winners and some of the best greyhounds ever to be seen add their names to the coveted Derby trophy.
Moral Standards (1994), Some Picture (1997) and Chart King (1999) are regarded as legendary trackers with the later also picking up the Scottish Derby in the same year.
Year | Track | Winner | Trainer |
1990 | Wimbledon (480m) | Slippy Blue | Kenny Linzell |
1991 | Wimbledon (480m) | Ballinderry Ash | Patsy Byrne |
1992 | Wimbledon (480m) | Farloe Melody | Matt O'Donnell |
1993 | Wimbledon (480m) | Ringa Hustle | Tony Meek |
1994 | Wimbledon (480m) | Moral Standards | Tony Meek |
1995 | Wimbledon (480m) | Moaning Lad | Theo Mentzis |
1996 | Wimbledon (480m) | Shanless Slippy | Dolores Ruth |
1997 | Wimbledon (480m) | Some Picture | Charlie Lister |
1998 | Wimbledon (480m) | Toms The Best | Nick Savva |
1999 | Wimbledon (480m) | Chart King | Karl & Ralph Hewitt |
The 2000s
A decade which included two back-to-back Derby champions in the form of Rapid Ranger and arguably the most famous winner Westmead Hawk - trained by legendary breeder and trainer Nick Savva, who also steered Westmead Lord to the following Derby to land a hat-trick.
The Hawk's last-to-first running style wowed the Wimbledon crowd and his popularity saw him take his place at the world famous Madame Tussauds waxworks in London!
Year | Track | Winner | Trainer |
2000 | Wimbledon (480m) | Rapid Ranger | Charlie Lister |
2001 | Wimbledon (480m) | Rapid Ranger | Charlie Lister |
2002 | Wimbledon (480m) | Allen Gift | Claude Gardiner |
2003 | Wimbledon (480m) | Farloe Verdict | Charlie Lister |
2004 | Wimbledon (480m) | Droopys Scholes | Ian Reilly |
2005 | Wimbledon (480m) | Westmead Hawk | Nick Savva |
2006 | Wimbledon (480m) | Westmead Hawk | Nick Savva |
2007 | Wimbledon (480m) | Westmead Lord | Nick Savva |
2008 | Wimbledon (480m) | Loyal Honcho | Seamus Graham |
2009 | Wimbledon (480m) | Kinda Ready | Mark Wallis |
The 2010s
Another three wins for Charlie 'Derby King' Lister, who retired from training in 2018.
The closure of Wimbledon in March 2017 saw the Derby switched to Towcester for the first time, providing Hove trainer Seamus Cahill with a shock first winner.
Towcester was placed in administration in 2018, which saw the Derby rescued by Nottingham - who went on to host just two events.
Irish trainer Paul Hennessy landed the final Wimbledon Derby in 2016 with his Jaytee Jet - providing the handler with a full set of Derbies having already won the Irish and Scottish Classic.
Year | Track | Winner | Trainer |
2010 | Wimbledon (480m) | Bandicoot Tipoki | Charlie Lister |
2011 | Wimbledon (480m) | Taylors Sky | Charlie Lister |
2012 | Wimbledon (480m) | Blonde Snapper | Mark Wallis |
2013 | Wimbledon (480m) | Sidaz Jack | Charlie Lister |
2014 | Wimbledon (480m) | Salad Dodger | Bruno Berwick |
2015 | Wimbledon (480m) | Rio Quattro | Danny Riordan |
2016 | Wimbledon (480m) | Jaytee Jet | Paul Hennessy |
2017 | Towcester (500m) | Astute Missile | Seamus Cahill |
2018 | Towcester (500m) | Dorotas Wildcat | Kevin Hutton |
2019 | Nottingham (480m) | Priceless Blake | Paul Hennessy |
The 2020s
Irish handler Pat Buckley lands a first English Derby with his early pacer Deerjet Sydney and Belgian handler Patrick Janssens sends out the first two home in the first Derby back at Towcester after the track reopens.
Irish-based Englishman Graham Holland finally lands an elusive English Derby in 2022 after reaching the final a number of times and the master of Riverside Kennels follows up in 2023 with three of his team reaching the final.
Irish trainer Liam Dowling won the 2024 edition with De Lahdedah, who beat the track record with his effort in July.
Year | Track | Winner | Trainer |
2020 | Nottingham (500m) | Deerjet Sydney | Pat Buckley |
2021 | Towcester (500m) | Thorn Falcon | Patrick Janssens |
2022 | Towcester (500m) | Romeo Magico | Graham Holland |
2023 | Towcester (500m) | Gaytime Nemo | Graham Holland |
2024 | Towcester (500m) | De Lahdedah | Liam Dowling |
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