The English Greyhound Derby is set to take place in Towcester starting in May through until the middle of June as some of the quickest hounds from the UK and Ireland battle it out for the most prestigious race in UK Greyhound Racing and arguably only topped by the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby.
The reigning Champion is De Lahdedah who was trained by Irish trainer Liam Dowling which was his first success in the competition.
Dates English Greyhound Derby, Towcester, 500m
Commences: 1st Round – Thursday/Friday/Saturday 8th/9th/10th May
2nd Round – Friday/Saturday 16th May/17th May
3rd Round – Saturday 24th May
Quarter-finals – Saturday 31st May
Semi-finals – Saturday 7th June
Final – Saturday 14th June
English Greyhound Derby Odds
Dog | Odds | Chance of Winning |
|---|---|---|
Bockos Diamond | 4/1 | 20% |
Proper Heiress | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Bombay Pat | 12/1 | 7.7% |
March On Freddie | 14/1 | 6.7% |
Wicky Ned | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Cheap Sandwiches | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Lennies Desire | 20/1 | 4.8% |
Hopes Teddy | 20/1 | 4.8% |
English Greyhound Derby Favourites
Bockos Diamond – 4/1
The early favourite for the English Greyhound Derby is the reigning BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Champion Bockos Diamond with odds of 4/1 suggesting a 20% chance the dog earns the elusive double.
The September 2022 whelp is trained by Graham Holland for the Remember-Them- Syndicate and is the exceptional son of Dorotos Wildcast and Seaglass Shadow. Despite only being 17 races into his career he’s already won the 2024 Champion Unraced in Kilkenny, slashed the 550 Track Record at Shelbourne Park clocking 28.94 but most importantly of all went unbeaten to to win the Irish Greyhound Derby last November in Shelbourne Park winning the most coveted prize in the Greyhound game.
Bockos Diamond debuted at Kilkenny last May and finished second in the Champion Unraced Stake coming 2 lengths behind Broadstrand Syd. Following that run, he went on a remarkable run of wins winning his next 15 including the aforementioned successes. He returned to the track for the first time since his Derby success last week at Towcester coming 4 and 1 ½ lengths behind winner Proper Heiress and 2 and a ¼ behind Droopys Plunge.
A sensational hound and one of the best we’ve ever seen, odds of 4/1 will be the shortest price you will get Bockos Diamond at and even at that still represents a value bet.
Bockos Diamond to win - 4/1
Proper Heiress - 8/1
Next in the betting is leading home hope the Mark Wallis trained son of Droopys Sydney and Powerful Mush who will be looking to be the first English trainer to win the event since Thorn Falcon the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Hey Delilah won in 2021.
The September 2022 whelp has been a serial scorer on the tracking since debuting during the Ennscorthy unraced at the end of July and the start of August 2024. He made the venture across the water and has already gone on to rack up an exceptional CV with successes in the 2024 Coral Olympic, 2025 Cat 1 Winter Derby, the Juvenile Championship at Towcester and the Kent Plate Final
Always had ability but the 28.17 runs at Central Park at the end of March showed this dog in full flight may be unstoppable.
Proper Heiress to win - 8/1
Bombay Pat – 12/1
The Graham Holland-trained Bombay Pat, the son of Pestana and Clear Mountain is currently priced as the third favourite to win the English Greyhound Derby at odds of 12/1.
Bombay Pat took a while to showcase his exceptional pace, failing to start at Kilkenny in May 2024 before finishing 4th in a sprint at Cork in July 2024. However, on his third start, he finally showed the public what he was all about winning an A3 race at Cork stopping the clock in showstopping 27.96.
Pat has won 9/14 of his races and if he can maintain consistency he has the legs to be a major player for this event.
Bombay Pat to win - 12/1
March On Freddie – 14/1
The fourth favourite for the English Greyhound Derby is the Dave Mullins-trained March On Freddie who is a full brother to market leader Bockos Diamond but has ability of his own right such is why he is as short as 14/1.
The son of Dorotas Wildcat and Seaglass Shadow is the 500m Track Record Holder at Nottingham when he stopped the clock during the Puppy Derby in 2024 winning in 29.28 and recently won in a sensational 28.61 and 28.47 at Central Park over the 491m trip.
With a record of 10 wins from 18 races and always in Open Class company he can’t be underestimated by punters when thinking about potential English Derby winners.
March On Freddie to win - 14/1
Wicky Ned – 16/1
Another British raider looking to end their drought in this competition will be Wicky Ned the son of Droopys Sydney and trainer Ballycowen Lucy by trainer J J Fenwick.
Wicky Ned debuted in Cork in February 2024 winning in a brilliant 28:57 his ability was there for everyone to see. It wasn’t long before he found his way over in England quickly establishing himself as one of the quickest about winning four Category 1 Stakes across Newcastle and Sheffield.
He’s shown gears around Towcester before and if he can replicate his runs of 28:85 and 29:02 and maybe even build on them then he will go through at least a few rounds of the English Derby.
Wicky Ned to win - 16/1
Bet on English Greyhound Derby Odds with BoyleSports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly.
