A record level of prize money will be on offer when Nottingham Stadium hosts the 72nd renewal of the JenningsBet Select Stakes on August bank holiday Monday next month.
Held over the Colwick Park venue’s 500-metre trip, the Select Stakes will be worth £12,500 to the winner for the first time in its history with a star line-up anticipated.
The competition is one of two top-tier invitational races on the UK greyhound racing calendar, with members of the Greyhound Writers’ Association responsible for choosing the six greyhounds which will race for the top prize.
The JenningsBet Select Stakes will coincide with the 29th running of the £12,500 JenningsBet Puppy Classic with the track also marking the beginning of National Greyhound Week – an initiative launched by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain last year.
Dave Baldwin, Head of Racing – Greyhounds – at Arena Racing Company, said the night will showcase greyhound racing at its best.
“Our August bank holiday fixture is always a highlight on the calendar, with two Category One competition finals on one night,” said Dave. “The Select Stakes is fiercely competitive every year, and a rare chance for racegoers to see six of the best performing greyhounds on track at the same time.
“The process of nominating our six finalists is never straight forward with so many proven and rising stars meriting a nomination.
“Increasing prize money for the winner to £12,500 this year is a real positive, and our thanks go to JenningsBet for its continued support of the race which we look forward to hosting.”
Wembley Stadium played host to the Select Stakes until 1996 after which the competition transferred to Nottingham where it has been held since.
Previous winners include Triple Crown winner Mile Bush Pride (1958 and 1959), English and Scottish Derby champion Some Picture (1996) and Clona Duke who won last year’s race for Irish trainer Graham Holland.
David Evans, general manager at Nottingham Stadium, confirmed the venue is planning a special evening to mark the occasion.
He said: “A lot of interest has been generated around this year’s Select Stakes and Puppy Classic.
“With the night coinciding with National Greyhound Week, we’re planning an evening full of additional activities so our regular and casual racegoers can be at the heart of the action and enjoy a fun, family friendly, night out.
“We’ve packaged together a special one-off offer too which will be confirmed shortly.”
Admission details for the 2024 JenningsBet Select Stakes and JenningsBet Puppy Classic on Monday, August 26, will be confirmed soon with the evening forming part of Nottingham Stadium’s National Greyhound Week celebrations.
This year’s Select Stakes participants will be chosen on Tuesday, August 20, with the draw held at Nottingham the following day.
