☀️ 2023: G.B.G.B. LATEST NEWS ☀️

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FRIDAY 16-9-22:::



The GBGB announced today that it is planning to schedule more Category One competitions next year by reclassifying the number of rounds from four to three.

With an expected uplift in open racing and new events next year following Oxford’s reopening, the Open Race Planning Committee has carried out an extensive scheduling review to create more opportunity for trainers and owners, alleviate increasing pressure on the calendar and better manage potential clashes.

By introducing a three-round limit, it will now be possible to incorporate an additional four new competitions, raising the number of Category Ones to a minimum of 15 in a racing category, compared to the 11 four-round events staged this year.

Racing Operations Executive Scott Harvey said: “We recognise that there is likely to be a further increase in open race competitions next year. The current calendar is highly congested, and we do not believe that we can adequately accommodate these new events without impacting on the quality of existing competitions.

“Therefore, to allow us to facilitate additional events, we are reclassifying all Category One competitions in 2023 to a maximum of three rounds, excluding the Classics, the long-standing East Anglian Derby and the Produce Stakes.

“While fully aware that some track promoters are keen to extend existing three-round events, it is not possible to do so and support the volume of competitions that are being requested. We have done our best to find a solution which accommodates everyone and helps decongest the calendar.”

The GBGB is asking all tracks to submit details for both ‘established events’ (i.e. those that took place at the track this year), and any ‘new events’. These will be organised into a cohesive schedule with the aim of publishing a calendar for 2023 by mid-November.

Harvey added: “Alongside challenges come opportunities, and we must do all we can to facilitate new competitions and sponsorship, allowing more money to flow into the sport and maximise opportunities for owners and trainers. Getting a full calendar out before the end of the year will allow trainers and owners to optimise plans for the racing year ahead.”

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GBGB LATEST NEWS:

FRIDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER 2022:

The Latest Edition Of The GBGB Calendar

HERE

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TUESDAY 27-9-22::


Responding to the call for greyhound racing to be banned in the UK, Mark Bird CEO of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain which regulates licensed racing said:

“It is ludicrous that the agenda of animal rights extremists are being given credence within these charities. Welfare standards in licensed greyhound racing have improved dramatically over the past four years which is why this report fails to create an evidence-based case for reform. Since the launch of our Greyhound Commitment – which has led to a number of transformative welfare initiatives – progress has seen national track fatalities already reduced by half from 0.06% in 2018 to 0.03% in 2021. As the sport’s regulator we know there is no room for complacency around welfare, which is why we have built on this through our long-term Strategy “A Good Life for Every Greyhound”. This has been developed with the input of leading academics and veterinarians and has been welcomed across the political spectrum as a detailed plan for driving forward welfare standards further still.

“The work we have announced, and indeed begun, as part of our Welfare Strategy represents our continued commitment to world-class standards of welfare. Protection for licensed racing greyhounds already goes far beyond what is afforded to domestic pets in the UK and our Strategy will ensure our existing approach fully acts upon our regulatory remit to safeguard welfare across these athletes’ entire lives.

“This is pandering to the whims of extremists – quoting data that is inaccurate, making claims that do not stand up to challenge and trying to galvanise support at a time when the real emergency in animal welfare is elsewhere. Just last week, the Chief Executive of Dogs Trust warned that, due to the cost-of-living crisis, we are facing an unprecedented animal welfare issue with families unable to afford to keep looking after their pets. Yet today, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross and RSPCA are adding to this risk by calling for the welfare of thousands of well looked after greyhounds to be added to this mounting problem.

“Those we know who were spoken to as part of the charities’ review – including from within the GBGB – were amazed by the naivety, closed minds and ignorance of those writing their report. That the charities are using this as evidence to call for a ban is wholly inappropriate. They have not actually published their review which suggests how little evidence is actually in it.”



Jeremy Cooper, Chair of the GBGB and former Chief Executive of the RSPCA said: “These are the ill-conceived tactics of organisations feeling pressured into playing to the extremists in their midst. It is less about greyhounds and animal welfare and far more about attempting to galvanise funding and support at the extreme end of the animal rights movement. This is the edge of the slippery slope and I know that everyone involved with horse racing, other animals in sport and all working animals will be concerned that, if such calls are taken seriously, they will be next.

“We are fortunate that all the major political parties see through the tactics of the RSPCA, Blue Cross and Dogs Trust and have welcomed our approach to regulation and welfare. Their internal review is an amateur exercise in trying to make political capital rather than a data and fact-led approach to welfare. It is sad and disappointing that once respected animal charities have succumbed to the agendas of the extremists.

“Families and individuals who support these charities will be shocked that they are spending the money they donate on pursuing this activist agenda, rather than focusing on the pressing need to protect household pets that owners are unable to afford to keep. It says everything about what is wrong with these charities and nothing about animal welfare.”



Professor Madeleine Campbell (an EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist and a RCVS Specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law) who wrote “A Good Life for Every Greyhound” said: “In leading the development of the GBGB Strategy, I spoke to academics, specialists, vets, global experts in animal welfare and a wide range of stakeholders to ensure that what we have put in place is world class in its approach to the welfare of greyhounds. That is why its publication earlier this year was welcomed across the political spectrum and amongst such experts. In contrast, the RSPCA, Blue Cross and Dogs Trust have not published any information about their internal review.”

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[BVADMIN]

TAKEN FROM THE RACING POST
WEDNESDAY 28-9-22:::

[BVADMIN]

OCTOBER 2022

[BVADMIN]

MONDAY 3rd OCTOBER 2022:

👉 By Mr Mark Bird
{GBGB}

[BVADMIN]

2023 ENGLISH DERBY, OAKS AND ST LEGER DATES ANNOUNCED



The GBGB Open Race Planning Committee is pleased to announce that it has approved dates for three major events in the 2023 open race calendar.



Following confirmation of the schedule for the 2023 English Greyhound Derby, the GBGB has now received and approved details for the St Leger and the English Oaks. The dates and sponsors for the championship events have been confirmed as follows:

***

Star Sports & TRC English Greyhound Derby, Towcester, 500m

Commences: 1st Round – Thursday/Friday/Saturday 18th/19th/20th May

2nd Round – Friday/Saturday 26th/27th May

3rd Round – Saturday June 3rd

Quarter-finals – Saturday June 10th

Semi-finals – Saturday June 17th

Final – Saturday June 24th

♦♦♦

Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger, Perry Barr, 710m

Heats: Saturday 9th September

Semi-finals: Saturday 16th September

Final: Saturday 23rd September

♦♦♦

Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks, Perry Barr, 480m

Commences: 1st round – Saturday 7th October

2nd round – Saturday 14th October

Semi-finals – Saturday 21st October

Final – Saturday 28th October

GBGB Racing Operations Executive Scott Harvey said:

“The Open Race Planning Committee agreed that the dates for the English Derby, St Leger and Oaks should be set as soon as possible to allow owners and trainers to plan for these cornerstone events and the racing year ahead. This will also assist tracks and the Committee with scheduling, using these competitions as the sport’s foundations in 2023.”

Towcester Racecourse Managing Director Kevin Boothby said: “We are excited once again to stage the world’s most premier event, namely the English Greyhound Derby. We will continue to strive to make it a festival of racing culminating in a Finals night that has grown year on year and 2023 will be no exception.”

Star Sports’ owner Ben Keith said: “We are delighted to be the headline sponsors for the English Greyhound Derby for the 7th consecutive year. It is without doubt the greatest event in our sporting calendar. Myself and all of us at Star Sports feel honoured to be involved in this historic competition and we are very much looking forward to seeing what 2023 brings.”

Rachel Corden, Greyhound Operations Director for ARC, said: “It is great to have the dates confirmed early so owners and trainers can plan. We are delighted that the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks and Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger will be held on Saturday evenings for 2023, which should make them accessible to all.”

Harvey further commented: “Towcester and ARC have again shown their commitment to the open race calendar. The switch to a Saturday format for both the finals of the Oaks and St Leger at Perry Barr is hugely welcomed and will allow more people to come racing and enjoy these Classic races up close.”

GBGB are now asking all tracks to submit details for ‘established’ and ‘new’ events. These will then be announced once they have been organised into a cohesive schedule. Any new events for 2023, will be incorporated into the schedule wherever possible and the GBGB will aim to publish a calendar for the racing year by mid-November.

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GBGB LATEST NEWS:

FRIDAY 7th OCTOBER 2022:

The Latest Edition Of The GBGB Calendar

HERE

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GBGB


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