The future stars of greyhound racing will be on show at Nottingham Stadium on Monday night when the £12,500 Arena Racing Company Puppy Classic begins at the Colwick venue.
First held in 1995, the competition is one of three Category One events held at Nottingham annually and has been won in the past by superstars of the track including Droopys Shearer, Ice On Fire and March On Freddie.
Three greyhounds will fly the flag for Nottingham with Jason Gray entering Deelish Denzel, Esther Driver running Carmac Cash and Barry Denby with Aghaburren Ben.
Barry’s October ’23 dog has already won at A2 grade and has been drawn in the second of four qualifying heats on Monday where the top three will progress to the following week’s semifinals.
The competition’s final is scheduled for bank holiday Monday where a bumper crowd is forecast as the track kick starts its National Greyhound Week celebrations.
Barry’s assistant trainer Richard said he’s hopeful Aghaburren Ben can do the kennel proud from a tricky draw.
“We’re hopeful, although he’s not had as many runs as some of the other greyhounds in the competition,” said Richard.
“We feel he’ll come on for each run.
“He’s proven himself to be capable of winning at A2 on only his second start which is a promising start, and in the long term he looks like he could be the type of dog to get over six bends.
“The draw isn’t perfect, we would’ve preferred to have been closer to the rail. But that’s the luck of the draw and we’ll keep our fingers crossed for a top three finish on Monday.”
Other greyhounds of note in the competition include English Greyhound Derby winning trainer Patrick Janssens’ star pups Romeo Ability and Romeo Alliance. David Mullins’ Santas Amigo is another to hold an entry and will run in heat three.
Tickets for all rounds of the Arena Racing Company Puppy Classic are on sale via www.nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk.
In celebration of National Greyhound Week, the track has launched a free admission offer to all racegoers for the final on Monday, August 25. Doors open at 5.30pm, with the first of 12 races off at 6.37pm.
2025 Arena Racing Company Puppy Classic
Heat One: Mad For Cash, Underground Fizz, Zenith Legend, Bouncing Monarch, Whisky Elsa, Kranky Drake.
Heat Two: Droopys Alldeway, TooMuchChat, Zenith Ottoman, Romeo Ability, Return Package, Aghaburren Ben.
Heat Three: Zenith Jimbombom, Deelish Denzel, Blackhouse Lewi, Romeo Alliance, Santas Amigo, Bramble Shelby.
Heat Four: Cooladerrydancer, Carmac Cash, Zenith Kindy, Not So Steady, Droopys Poker, Aero Academy.
