👉 PREMIER GREYHOUND RACING - {2024}

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Premier Greyhound Racing – the organisation formed from a commercial partnership between ARC and Entain – has launched its own website CLICK HERE

writes Floyd Amphlett of the Greyhound Star website...


At the outset, the site explains the background and core principles of the new organisation, including its ‘purpose’, which is:



Promoting Welfare Standards – We will prioritise and invest in welfare standards, working alongside the sport’s regulators and Government.

Improving the racing experience for all parties – We will work with trainers and owners to deliver a sustainable and engaging racing experience for betting and customers at the track

Consistent Operational Policies and Performance – We will establish a consistent standard around operational track performance and continually raise that bar

Quality – Focus to deliver betting operators a tailored product that delivers engagement across all channels

Investing in the sport – most competitive prize funds and investment in trainers, owners and greyhounds

Apart from a handful of news stories, there is little significant to see at this stage. But that looks set to be a slow burn leading up to January 2024 when Entain frees itself of its conractual obligations with SIS and the new organisation really kicks on.

Of course, much of the preparation will take place long before that launch, and many of the initiatives and plans are likely to be revealed on the site between now and then.

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TAKEN FROM THE RACING POST
WEDNESDAY 22-6-22::::

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[SALFORD GIRL]

Friday, 30th September, 2022

Perry Barr pays tribute to retiring trainer Pat Rosney

on Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger Finals night..

Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium and the sport of greyhound racing bids a fond farewell to a brilliant training partnership on Thursday evening with trainer Pat and his partner Julie McCombe bringing the curtain down on a wonderful training career.

To celebrate Pat’s retirement, a race will be run in his honour during a glittering card on Thursday evening at the track which features the £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger Final.

Thursday’s meeting will be a truly poignant one for Pat and Julie as they bring to a close a run of success that started at the highest level and continued in that vein for more than two decades.

Both had strong backgrounds in the greyhound industry when they got together at the start of the millennium and, on the recommendation of Julie’s father Pat McCombe, they purchased kennels at Town Brow in Leyland in Lancashire from Belle Vue trainer Jimmy Gibson. Jimmy stayed on while Pat applied for his licence, but it was the Rosneys that were preparing the dogs and making decisions. It was the perfect location, adjacent to the M6, M65 and M61 motorways, making travelling to and from tracks in almost every direction a bit easier.

Pat and Julie had bought a bitch in Ireland called Talktothehand, a daughter of that great sire Top Honcho, in the summer of 2001, which they decided to race in the name of his mother, Elizabeth. Talktothehand scored a single victory in her opening five races in this country – an open at Belle Vue – then went straight to Wimbledon to contest The Oaks. She won three of her four races in bitch’s classic, including the final, and, while the record books attribute the success to “trained Gibson,” the truth is that this was the first of many triumphs for the new kids on the block. Nine years later Pat and Julie were to win the Produce Stakes at Swindon with Micky Robbie, one of Talktothehand’s sons.

Fast forward six months from Talktothehand’s Wimbledon triumph and “Team Rosney” had the licence and the kennel strength had been bolstered by the important addition of Pilot Alert, who took them all the way to the final of the 2002 Derby in their first assault on the sport’s premier prize.

The reputation of this partnership was starting to spread quickly as they delivered with winners, attracting new owners and there is a very long list of major victories in their list of achievements, including two Scottish Derbys, two Gold Collars, three Select Stakes, the Sunderland Classic and Northern Puppy Derby, and an All England Cup and a many more.

Team Rosney have often operated as an unattached kennel, the GBGB Calendar being the required reading material in the house as they scanned the pages meticulously in search of suitable targets for their canine stars. But they have also had successful spells operating within the discipline of track graded racing, starting at Belle Vue and taking in this racecourse as well as Nottingham and Monmore.

Pat says: “The highlights for us were the Scottish Derby wins up in Glasgow at Shawfield with Swift Hoffman (2015) and The Other Reg (2018), plus, of course, Talktothehand.

“Greyhound racing has been good to us and the dogs have been good to us.” says Pat, “We’ve never wanted to do anything else and we have a lot of good memories, but I’ll be 60 next month and I’ve always had it in my mind that would be a good time to call it a day."

“Training is very demanding and restricting way of making a living. It’s seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, with just the odd snatched break it you can manage to find the time. We’ve got a lot of things we’d like to do and places we’d like to see. I think that going on too long can be a big mistake. It might suit some people, but not us, although we’ve no set plans for the future.”

Pat and Julie have been good for the sport. Always approachable and honest and willing to give up their time to help someone if they can. We wish them all the best in whatever the future brings.

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PREMIER GREYHOUND RACING APPOINTS CLARISSA BALDWIN CBE
AS NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The joint venture between Entain and Arena Racing Company welcomes former Dogs Trust CEO and ex-Chair of The Greyhound Forum

Clarissa Baldwin CBE

11th October 2022: Premier Greyhound Racing, the recently-launched joint venture between Entain and Arena Racing Company, have added to their Board with the appointment of Clarissa Baldwin CBE to the position of Non-Executive Director.

Baldwin joins Premier Greyhound Racing having held numerous senior positions across the animal welfare industry, including a 25 year tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the Dogs Trust and over 20 years as chair of the Greyhound Forum. Other notable posts held include serving on Lord Donoughue’s 2007 independent review of the greyhound racing industry as well as being a current trustee of the international charity, Mission Rabies. Baldwin is the author of the slogan ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas’ and was awarded a CBE in 2015 for her outstanding contribution to animal welfare.

Commenting on her appointment, Clarissa Baldwin said: “It’s an honour to be joining the Premier Greyhound Racing Board. I have a life-long passion for the welfare of animals and racing greyhounds are incredibly close to my heart, in particular after my two decades as Chair of the Greyhound Forum. I am looking forward to working with David Lipsey and his team to help deliver Premier Greyhound Racing’s commitment to the welfare of greyhounds, the precious stars of our sport.”

Welcoming her to the Premier Greyhound Racing Board, Chair Lord David Lipsey added: “Clarissa’s appointment is a tremendous asset to the Premier Greyhound Racing Board. She is a tireless champion of animal welfare and her vast experience will be invaluable given her distinguished career associated with leading canine bodies both within, and outside, the sport. I will work closely with Clarissa as we drive forward with our shared passion to put greyhound welfare at the very heart of everything we do at Premier Greyhound Racing.”

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Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks Final:
Q&A with Martin Seal, Perry Barr Racing Manager

The £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks continues on Thursday evening with the climax of the competition which is live on Sky Sports Racing.

You can watch the final live at 9.11pm with six bitches bidding to etch their name into sporting folklore.

Patrick Janssens looks to hold a strong hand in the contest with three of the sextet. They include Empress Stakes heroine Fabulous Azurra who is unbeaten in the competition and looks a worthy favourite. Another unbeaten bitch for Janssens in the competition so far is Slick Sakina and she looks sure to give her kennelmate a stiff test. Global Prima, who also impressed in her semi-final, completes the Janssens triumvirate.

The three others runners in the final are the Kevin Hutton-trained Westwell Emer, Belinda Green’s Bonjour Bullet and Barrie Draper’s Distant Emma.

A man who is sure to be busy this week is Martin Seal who is the Racing Manager at Perry Barr. We spoke to Martin about how he got involved in greyhound racing, his role as Racing Manager and much more in his Q&A below.

1. Tell us a little about your background and your career to date.

I was born and grew up in Abbey Wood, South London, leaving school to work in the insurance industry followed by a spell with a building society in the City. I moved to Northampton and then Milton Keynes in the late nineties, before relocating to Birmingham with my then job as a dealer for a stockbroker. I currently live in Great Barr, not far from Perry Barr Stadium, and have been married to Anita for seven years. I have three stepchildren, one granddaughter and seven cats!

2. How did you come to work in the greyhound industry?

I had become a greyhound owner at Catford Stadium whilst living in London, and this trend followed me as I moved around the country, owning and racing dogs at Milton Keynes Stadium. Whilst working at the stockbrokers, I decided to get an additional part time job, and wrote to the Racing Manager at Hall Green Stadium in South Birmingham, who gave me a job as a Paddock Steward. A spell in the Hall Green racing office followed soon after, and I was later headhunted to join Perry Barr as Deputy Racing Manager. The rest is history.

3. You’re now the racing manager at Perry Barr. What does your role entail?

The main role of the Racing Manager is to compile race meetings, usually comprising twelve six dog races, each race for greyhounds of similar ability, which are then broadcast to the country's betting shops on the TRP (The Racing Partnership) roster and also online around the world. We endeavour to produce competitive racing whilst rotating the greyhounds on the racing strength to ensure each greyhound enjoys regular racing to maintain their fitness and enthusiasm.

4. Explain why a career in the greyhound industry is so rewarding.

Greyhounds are such wonderful animals, and there are few better sights than a greyhound in full flight. Greyhounds are natural athletes who are born to run, and although some are faster than others, each greyhound has its own level where it can compete alongside others. Greyhounds also have a wonderful nature, and make fabulous pets.

5. Thursday sees one of the highlights of the calendar with the final of the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks. Tell us about the history of the race and its association with Perry Barr?

The Oaks is the premier event in the calendar for bitch greyhounds, showcasing the best of their generation to the wider world. The Greyhound Derby and Oaks represent the pinnacle of the sport, and it is every owner’s dream to have a runner in these prestigious events. First run at White City Stadium, West London in 1927, the Oaks gained classic status in 1939, and the competition has always attracted the cream of the crop, the very best bitches in the land putting their reputations on the line in search of classic glory. Following its White City tenure, which included a spell when the event was suspended during the Second World War, the Oaks was staged at Harringay Stadium from 1959 until 1987, and then at Wimbledon Stadium until 2012. In recent years, the Oaks has been staged at Belle Vue in Manchester, and also Swindon, before finding its current home at Perry Barr in 2021.

6. What do the next few days look like for you ahead of the Oaks Final and what is your role on the evening?

The last few days have seen the final preparations made for the big night, with entries for the supporting races taken, collated and published. There will be a special souvenir programme on the night, with contributions from faces within the industry, and connections of the winners of all open races on the night will receive a superb trophy, with the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks and Arena Racing Company Scurry Gold Cup winners also receiving a presentation jacket. My role on the evening will be to ensure all the greyhounds are identified, weighed in and kennelled correctly in advance of the meeting, and then I will oversee the running of the pre-meeting trial session as well as the race meeting itself, alongside my Deputy Racing Manager, ensuring all GBGB rules and regulations are adhered to.

7. What does it mean to everyone at the track to stage such prestigious competitions like the Oaks?

As I mentioned earlier, it is an absolute privilege to stage the Oaks something which every other track in the country would love to do, and there has been a real buzz about the place over the past few weeks as the greyhounds make their preparations and the heats and semi-finals take place.

8. Are there any special preparations you make for the stars of the show - the greyhounds themselves - ahead of such a big race night?

Every race meeting is important to every greyhound, so we will continue to make sure everything is in place for the big night, hoping to put on a great show for the greyhounds themselves, the owners, trainers and viewing public. Greyhounds running in the later races on the card will have the opportunity to be kennelled at a later time in the evening, thus ensuring they arrive fresh and well for their respective races.

9. For those who might not have been racing at Perry Barr before, explain why a day/night out at the dogs is such great entertainment.

A night out at Perry Barr Stadium is a fabulous evening and great value for money, and is the ideal way to get together with friends and family for a fun night. There are numerous food and drink packages to suit every budget, all backed up with twelve exciting races, and the opportunity to win a few quid, if you're lucky!

10. Birmingham is a city with a rich sporting heritage. Just how important is greyhound racing to the people of the city?

Birmingham may be known as the 'second city', but it has always had a long association with the sport of greyhound racing, and continues that theme to the present day. With Perry Barr now staging the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger and Oaks, as well as the Category 1 M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup, Arena Racing Company Laurels, and the Category 2 Arena Racing Company Scurry Gold Cup, the track boasts an enviable portfolio, and is ideally situated to attract the best greyhounds from all over the country.

11. Have you had many famous faces come to Perry Barr over the years? Any particular favourite stories of special guests you’ve welcomed recently?

Being located close to Villa Park, Perry Barr has welcomed the Aston Villa Former Players for their annual events on many occasions, and these were very popular with the local patrons. Recent times have seen former world cruiserweight boxing champion and Sky Sports analyst Johnny Nelson pay us a visit, Johnny proving most popular with customers and staff alike, taking the time to pose for many photos. We've also had the pleasure of a visit from PDC darts world champion Gerwyn Price when the PDC was in town for its Premier League fixture. Gerwyn is a well known greyhound enthusiast, and has owned greyhounds at several of the country's tracks.

12. How do you see the Oaks Final playing out and what’s your tip for the race?

It’s a cracking final, no doubt about it, with all six bitches having performed with huge credit to claim their place. Kennelmates Fabulous Azurra and Slick Sakina are both well drawn and unbeaten in the event so far, and hold strong claims accordingly, but neither will be able to afford any mistakes, upon which the rest of the field will not hesitate to capitalise. I expect these two to lead into the first turn, with the rest of the field close up in behind. On balance, my tip to win is Slick Sakina.

13. Are there any dogs to watch out for on the card with strong local connections?

We are lucky to have been supported by owners and trainers from all over the country this evening, for which I'm very grateful, and included amongst that is a strong local representation, who will be doing their utmost to ensure that as many trophies as possible are held aloft by Midlands connections.

14. How do you and the team celebrate a successful staging of the Oaks Final?

There will probably be plenty of sighs of relief at the end of the evening for what has been a very busy month, and I'm sure a glass, or two, will be enjoyed when everything has been wrapped up. It's been a proper team effort, as these events have to be, and my thanks are extended to all my colleagues who have worked hard to ensure the success of these two great competitions.

[SALFORD GIRL]

Wednesday, 2nd November, 2022

Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks, Champion Stakes
and Kent Derby round-up

The last month has seen a string of £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing sponsored Category One competitions. The Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks saw Classic glory on the line at Perry Barr. Romford staged the PGR Oaks and the Kent Derby was completed at Central Park last weekend.

We have produced a round-up of the pick of the action with all the news. Waiting in the wings is the Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse Stakes which gets underway at Nottingham later this month.

Warzone Tom dazzles in Champion Stakes thriller

October was a glorious month for Liz and Rab McNair with a number of their superstars, such as PGR St Leger hero Havana Class and Fromposttopillar breaking track records and landing major competitions.

However, it was an old favourite, the brilliant competition dog Warzone Tom, who confirmed his superiority in the final with a thrilling victory over Dave Mullins’ Waste House Izzy (25/1)

Having missed the break, the 8/15 favourite paced up well to the first bend and was second throughout most of the contest behind Waste House Izzy. However, approaching the turn for home, Warzone Tom made his move, but only got up in the shadows of the post, scoring by a neck in 34.89. Waste House Izzy was a superb second and emerges with plenty of credit, whilst Droopys Garden (6/1) was a further length and a half back in third.

Beaten in the Golden Jacket and Summer Stayers finals this year, Champion Stakes victory was thoroughly deserved for this classy greyhound.

Sakina proves slick in Oaks

Perry Barr staged the Premier Greyhound Oaks final on October 27 and it was Slick Sakina who came out on top for Patrick Janssens. Unbeaten in the competition coming into the final, she was one of three runners in the final for Janssens who was also represented by Global Prima and Fabulous Azurra.

Sent off the very well-backed 11/8 favourite, the daughter of Droopys Ring produced another brilliant break from the traps to all but seal victory from the start. She powered clear and recorded a facile four and a half-length victory. The success came in a track record 27.85. Belinda Green’s Bonjour Bullet (20/1) finished a fine second, with Distant Emma (10/3) back in third for Barrie Draper. Slick Sakina clearly looks a hugely exciting prospect and we can’t wait to see where she will line up next.

Away from the feature contest, one of the best performances of the evening came from the highly-touted Coolavanny Shado who is also trained by Patrick Janssens. The East Anglian Derby second was simply sensational, winning his contest by eight lengths, breaking kennelmate Slick Sakina’s track record in the process with a stunning 27.75 winning time.

Arkady lands spoils in Kent Derby

The final of the £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby took place at Central Park last weekend and saw Arkady come out on top for Dave Mullins. The son of Droopys Legacy had impressed in his semi-final with a smooth 28.68 victory.

Sent off the 15/8 favourite for the final, he was flawless from the boxes, quickening into an early lead from the first bend. Arkady put that early pace with latent use with a destructive performance, making all to rout his rivals by four and a half-lengths and highlighting his class.

Clairekeith Remy (15/8f) finished a cracking second for Claude Gardiner, whilst Tony Collett’s Lisz Legacy (11/1) again highlighted her fondness for Central Park, finishing another two and a quarter-lengths back in third.

That’s your lot for Premier Greyhound Racing sponsored contests until the end of the month
when the Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse Stakes gets underway at Nottingham.

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🌟 ** UPDATES TO FOLLOW ** 🌟

[GRUNDY]

Really looking forward to January 2024 when the '4' Entain tracks join forces with the 'ARC' tracks on the BAGS weekly race cards.

SIS for sure are going to be affected but of course time will tell how everything with pan out but one thing in my opinion is that tracks racing under the Premier Racing banner look to have a big future ahead of them.

Roll on 2024.