LAURELS, LEGER & FESTIVAL CHANGE TO ’27 CALENDAR
Ian Fortune
Mere minutes after the release of the 2027 Classics and Features Calendar, the phone started to hop with queries.
Top of the list was the absence of the Winter Racing Festival from the calendar but, as suspected, it will come in a different form at the back end of 2027.
As part of the celebrations to mark 100 years of greyhound racing on these shores, the year will end with the Centenary Derby over 525yds. The competition will end on December 30th and will be part of an end of year gala night that will act as the Festival.
Derek Frehill, Head of Racing with the GRI, confirmed the news, stating that there will be a number of finals on the card, as well as many of the usual festival races. The finals of the Christmas Oaks, the Gold Collar and Shelbourne Marathon are also down for decision on the night.
Make sure to mark December 30thin your diary. It should be a very special night for the sport.
LAURELS AND LEGER BACK AS 5-RUN CLASSICS
The eagle-eyed amongst you may also have noticed that the Laurels and St Leger are set to return to a five-run format.
That is subject to change nearer the time, dependent on interest and the level of entries, but it certainly makes sense. The absence of the usual Winter Racing Festival slot has freed up some space for this to happen.