# Puppy Derby (Towcester greyhound race)

The Puppy Derby is a British greyhound racing competition held at Towcester Greyhound Stadium.

## History

The event was held at Wimbledon Stadium from 1929 to 2016, until the closure of the stadium in 2017.
Other Puppy Derby races have been created by other race tracks including the Midland Puppy Derby and despite some of these races matching or surpassing the original Puppy Derby for prize money at certain times they do not carry the same prestige.
In 2017 the race switched from Wimbledon and the GRA to Towcester and the prize money increased to £20,000 to the winner, bringing the race back to its former glory When it switched to Towcester in 2017 it was only held for one year because the track closed and the event was switched to Henlow. It then reverted to sister track Towcester in 2020, when it re-opened under promoter Kevin Boothby. The 2022 edition was not held due to problems with the weather and rescheduling.

## Venue & distances

* 1929–1974 (Wimbledon, 500 yards)
* 1975–2009 (Wimbledon, 460 metres)
* 2010–2016 (Wimbledon, 480 metres)
* 2017–2017 (Towcester, 480 metres)
* 2018–2019 (Henlow, 460 metres)
* 2020–2024 (Towcester, 500 metres)

## Sponsors

* 1989–1989 (Truman's Brewery)
* 1990–1990 (Foster's Lager)
* 1991–1991 (Wey Plastics)
* 1994–1994 (Surrey Racing)
* 2001–2006 (William Hill)
* 2007–2007 (Holsten Pils)
* 2008–2009 (Stan James)
* 2010–2012 (William Hill)
* 2013–2016 (RFS)
* 2017–2017 (ECC Timber)
* 2018–2018 (Gain Nutrition)
* 2020–2020 (Star Sports)
* 2021–2023 (Racing Post GTV)

## Past winners

| Year | Winner | Breeding | Trainer | Time (sec) | SP | Notes/ref |
| 1929 | So Green | Running Rein - Salsette | Jim Syder Sr. (Wembley) | 30.73 | 4/6f | |
| 1930 | Mountain Loafer | Loafer - Mountain Gift | Paddy McEllistrim (Wimbledon) | 30.00 | 4/6f | |
| 1931 | Lavaka | Loafer - Rosina | Jerry Hannafin (Wimbledon) | 30.00 | 2/1 | |
| 1932 | Mikado Beauty | Hertford - Little Fawn Biddy | Jim Syder Sr. (Wembley) | 29.81 | 4/9f | |
| 1933 | Denham Robin | Deemster - Beauvallon | Mrs E.G.Westley (Private) | 29.31 | 4/5f | |
| 1934 | Tosto | Border Line - Ranting Rhyme | Sidney Orton (Wimbledon) | 28.87 | 5/2 | dead-heat |
| 1934 | Maidens Delight | Maiden's Boy - Springfield Sal | Miss Young (Private) | 28.87 | 11/10f | dead-heat |
| 1935 | Flying Joule | Silver Seal - Hidden Pride | Marjorie Yate (Private) | 29.26 | 1/1f | |
| 1936 | Berwick Law | Future Cutlet - Lily Bell | Les Parry (Powderhall) | 29.63 | 100/8 | |
| 1937 | Junior Classic | Beef Cutlet - Lady Eleanor | Joe Harmon (Wimbledon) | 28.86 | 4/6f | |
| 1938 | Grosvenor Ferdinand | Golden Hammer - Wonderful Expression | F.S.Rolfe (Private) | 29.04 | 10/1 | |
| 1939 | Keel Border | Creamery Border - Keel Ruby | Joe Harmon (Wimbledon) | 29.08 | 11/8f | |
| 1940 | Grosvenor Flexion | Wily Captain - Cook Street | Joe Harmon (Wimbledon) | 29.45 | 5/4f | |
| 1941 | Laughing Lieutenant | Beef Cutlet - Maid Of Tenby | Bert Heyes (White City) | 29.41 | 1/1f | |
| 1942 | Clows Top | J.H. - Chanceful | Sid Jennings (Wembley) | 28.99 | 6/1 | |
| 1943 | Allardstown Playboy | Strong Mutton - Lazy Girl | Stanley Biss (Private) | 29.32 | 9/4 | |
| 1944 | Prancing Kitty | Tanist - Be Careful Kitty | Bill Weaver (Catford) | 29.20 | 2/1 | |
| 1945 | Lee Ripple | Tiro - Dame Of The House | Stanley Biss (Clapton) | 28.81 | 11/4 | |
| 1946 | Castletown Tiptoes | Castledown Lad - Hotcap | Sidney Orton (Wimbledon) | 29.20 | 2/1f | |
| 1947 | Mad Birthday | Mad Tanist - Bella's Bloom | Stanley Biss (Clapton) | 28.56 | 2/5f | |
| 1948 | Saft Alex | Mad Tanist - Fair Light | Jack Toseland (Perry Barr) | 28.72 | 11/10 | |
| 1949 | Ballycurreen Garrett | Ballycurreen Duke - Ballymakeera Keeper | Jack Harvey (Wembley) | 29.21 | 6/1 | |
| 1950 | Rushton Smutty | Mad Tanist - Summer Frock | Jack Harvey (Wembley) | 28.96 | 4/7f | |
| 1951 | Moreton Ann | Grand Hussar - Moreton Lily | Jack Harvey (Wembley) | 28.59 | 6/1 | |
| 1952 | Lizette | Master Captain - Dorothy Ann | Paddy Fortune (Wimbledon) | 28.75 | 7/1 | |
| 1953 | Lancelot | Rough Billie - Gay Serenade | Paddy Fortune (Wimbledon) | 28.96 | 1/2f | |
| 1954 | Gulf of Darien | Imperial Dancer - Dorothy Ann | Jack Harvey (Wembley) | 28.31 | 5/4f | |
| 1955 | Glacier Metal | Ballymac Ball - Cloudy Midnight | Paddy Fortune (Wimbledon) | 28.74 | 10/1 | |
| 1956 | Ford Spartan | Polonius - Harrow Glamour | Dennis Hannafin (Wimbledon) | 28.02 | 2/1f | |
| 1957 | Sean's Pal | The Grand Champion - Grangeclare Lady | Tom'Paddy'Reilly (Walthamstow) | 28.2 | 13/2 | |
| 1958 | Varra Black Nose | Glittering Look - Typhoon Jane | Dennis Hannafin (Wimbledon) | 28.08 | 8/13f | |
| 1959 | Violet's Duke | Champion Prince - Autumn Violet | Barney O'Connor (Walthamstow) | 28.04 | 3/1 | |
| 1960 | Oregon Prince | Knock Hill Chieftain - Burleigh's Fancy | Phil Rees Sr. (Private) | 28.59 | 6/5f | |
| 1961 | Dancing Point | Sword Dance - Irish Sunshine | Clare Orton (Wimbledon) | 28.35 | 1/1f | |
| 1962 | Cloudbank | Knock Hill Chieftain - Direct Lead | Dave Geggus (Walthamstow) | 27.96 | 2/5f | |
| 1963 | Pineapple Joe | Clopook - Sight Unseen | Dennis Hannafin (Wimbledon) | 27.95 | 1/1f | |
| 1964 | Bad Trick | Tuturama - Nifty Lady | George Curtis (Portsmouth) | 28.46 | 2/1f | |
| 1965 | Morden Mist | Super Orange - Denver Hetty | Clare Orton (Wimbledon) | 28.27 | 11/4f | |
| 1966 | Wattlehurst Rogue | Wattlehurst Rocket - Charity Ball | Jimmy Jowett (Clapton) | 28.58 | 5/2 | |
| 1967 | Breach's Bill | Jerpoint Prince - Breach's Rainbow | Judy Pattinson (Private) | 28.10 | 5/4f | |
| 1968 | Winter Hope | Newdown Heather - Final Score | Des Dare (Private) | 28.53 | 4/7f | |
| 1969 | Sherwood Glen | Maryville Hi - Bresheen Umm | Joe Booth (Private) | 28.27 | 100/30 | |
| 1970 | Crefogue Flash | Newdown Heather - Duffry Flash | Stan Mitchell (Belle Vue) | 27.99 | 5/2 | |
| 1971 | Tawny Satin | The Grand Silver - Cathy's Tiny | Tom Johnston Jr. (Wembley) | 28.22 | 9/2 | |
| 1972 | Seaman's Pride | Own Pride - Stolen Tilley | Paddy Milligan (Private) | 27.78 | 5/2f | |
| 1973 | Handy High | Handy Valley - Black Highbird | Paddy Milligan (Private) | 28.17 | 4/5f | |
| 1974 | Tory Mor | Tom's Pal - Melville Honey | Paddy Milligan (Private) | 28.40 | 3/1 | |
| 1975 | Knockrour Bank | Clomoney Jet - Damsels Lass | John Coleman (Wembley) | 27.72 | 11/10f | |
| 1976 | Cahurmore Speech | Free Speech - Pat's Glory | Len White (Private) | 28.17 | 1/2f | |
| 1977 | Ruakura's Mutt | Spectre - Areopagus | Charlie Coyle (Private) | 27.65 | 9/4 | |
| 1978 | Purdy's Pursuit | Aghawadda Flash - Exchange Dolly | Phil Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) | 27.83 | 20/1 | |
| 1979 | Price Wise | Free Speech - Take The Lead | Frank Baldwin (Perry Barr) | 27.70 | 12/1 | |
| 1980 | Desmond's Fancy | Sole Aim - Blissful Linda | Jack Coker (Oxford) | 28.22 | 7/1 | |
| 1981 | Special Account | Westmead County - Ka Boom | Natalie Savva (Cambridge) | 27.79 | 7/2 | |
| 1982 | Mountleader Mint | Cairnville Jet - Mountleader Cleo | Terry Duggan (Romford) | 27.82 | 2/1f | |
| 1983 | Rhincrew Moth | Ballarat Prince - Skipping Fun | Dolly Gwynne (Ipswich) | 27.53 | 1/3f | |
| 1984 | Ben's Champion | Lacca Champion - Raffles Bridge | Eric Pateman (Wimbledon) | 27.61 | 4/6f | |
| 1985 | Fearless Swift | Ron Hardy - Sarahs Bunny | Geoff De Mulder (Oxford) | 27.67 | 4/5f | |
| 1986 | Spiral Darkie | Lindas Champion - Spiral Three | Gary Baggs (Ramsgate) | 27.70 | 9/2 | |
| 1987 | Debby Hero | Debbycot Lad - Kisco | David Kinchett (Wimbledon) | 27.99 | 12/1 | |
| 1988 | Spring Band | Wise Band - Gentle Heartrob | Sam Sykes (Wimbledon) | 28.13 | 3/1 | |
| 1989 | Newry Flash | Oran Flash - Townview Fuzz | Arthur Hitch (Wimbledon) | 27.97 | 4/1 | |
| 1990 | Murlens Support | Moral Support - Murlens Chill | Tony Meek (Oxford) | 28.50 | 1/2f | |
| 1991 | Right Move | Daleys Gold - Westmead Move | Nick Savva (Milton Keynes) | 28.25 | 14/1 | |
| 1992 | Bixby | Murlens Slippy - Skylab | Bill Black (Reading) | 28.04 | 7/2 | |
| 1993 | Lughill Slippy | I'm Slippy - Lady Serina | Tony Meek (Oxford) | 27.99 | 11/4 | |
| 1994 | Bonmahon Darkie | Carmels Prince - Debs Tick | Terry Dartnall (Wimbledon) | 27.70 | 2/1f | |
| 1995 | Corpo Election | Tapwatcher - No Thanks | Wayne Wilson (Sittingbourne) | 27.56 | 1/4f | |
| 1996 | Black Gem Charm | Slaneyside Hare - Perrys Charmer | Philip Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) | 27.74 | 7/1 | |
| 1997 | Lenson Hero | Right Move - New Branch | Norah McEllistrim (Wimbledon) | 27.97 | 5/1 | |
| 1998 | Sarah Dee | Arrigle Buddy - Castlegannon Pop | Nick Savva (Milton Keynes) | 27.73 | 11/8f | |
| 1999 | Micks Lotto | Mountleader Peer - Tracys Lady | Patsy Byrne (Wimbledon) | 27.49 | 2/7f | |
| 2000 | Navigation Lad | Lassa Java - Suirside Lass | Pat McComish (Private) | 27.69 | 6/4jf | |
| 2001 | Bringinthemoney | Powerful Flash - Locgaram Kit | Pat Thompson (Crayford) | 28.00 | 25/1 | |
| 2002 | On Line Deal | Staplers Jo - Lady Ballydaniel | Paul Young (Romford) | 27.96 | 5/1 | |
| 2003 | Kinda Spooky | Top Honcho - Kinda Swell | Linda Jones (Walthamstow) | 27.51 | 8/1 | |
| 2004 | Olybean | Kiowa Shawnee So - Jabilish | Ernie Gaskin Sr. (Walthamstow) | 27.47 | 11/10f | |
| 2005 | Droopys Lomasi | Knockeevan Major - Droopys Beauty | Steve Dimmock (Milton Keynes) | 27.79 | 12/1 | |
| 2006 | Droopys Tops | Blackjack Tom - Macy Gray | Chris Lund (Doncaster) | 27.57 | 3/1 | |
| 2007 | Opening Artist | Droopys Scolari - Droopys Darlene | Bernie Doyle (Wimbledon) | 27.80 | 9/2 | |
| 2008 | Jesters Nap | Droopys Vieri - Star Time | Jim Daly (Yarmouth) | 27.55 | 11/10f | |
| 2009 | Westmead Logan | Droopys Vieri – Westmead Swift | Nick Savva (Private) | 27.33 | 5/1 | |
| 2010 | Rayvin Giovanni | Blackstone Gene – Droopys Sporty | Seamus Cahill (Hove) | 28.36 | 11/8f | |
| 2011 | Eden Star | Top Savings – Aranock Val | Barrie Draper (Sheffield) | 28.51 | 8/13f | |
| 2012 | Farloe Warhawk | Ace Hi Rumble - Wontbelong | Barrie Draper (Sheffield) | 28.32 | 1/1f | |
| 2013 | Bubbly Beauty | College Causeway – Lees Legend | Paul Young (Romford) | 28.64 | 7/1 | |
| 2014 | Lenson Sanchez | Tullymurry Act – Beaming Olive | Pat Buckley (Ireland) | 28.59 | 5/4f | |
| 2015 | Droopys Roddick | Droopys Jet – Droopys Start | Pat Buckley (Ireland) | 27.97 | 2/5f | |
| 2016 | King Eden | Droopys Scolari – Shaws Dilemma | Liz McNair (Private) | 28.46 | 20/1 | |
| 2017 | Magical Bale | Zero Ten - Sizzling Sarah | Kevin Hutton (Towcester) | 29.10 | 11/10f | |
| 2018 | Argentina | Tyrur Big Mike - Headford Maura | Kevin Hutton (Monmore) | 27.50 | 4/1 | |
| 2019 | Bockos Doomie | Droopys Jet – Dalcash Kalade | Patrick Janssens (Central Park) | 27.24 | 11/10f | |
| 2020 | Surprising | Droopys Sydney – Banabane | Seamus Cahill (Hove) | 29.35 | 11/4cf | |
| 2021 | Make Noise | Confident Rankin – Tibet | Seamus Cahill (Hove) | 29.71 | 15/8 | |
| 2022 | not held due to problems with the weather and rescheduling. | not held due to problems with the weather and rescheduling. | not held due to problems with the weather and rescheduling. | not held due to problems with the weather and rescheduling. | not held due to problems with the weather and rescheduling. | not held due to problems with the weather and rescheduling. |
| 2023 | King Memphis | Droopys Sydney – Queen Beyonce | Liz McNair (Private) | 28.82 | 6/4 | |
| 2024 | Bombay Birch | Broadstrand Bono – Change Me | Paul Young (Romford) | 29.60 | 9/4 | |