BAGS RACING

In 1967 off-course bookmakers set up BAGS to provide a programme of greyhound meetings to be held in the afternoon. (Dog racing until this point took place mainly in the evening when high street bookmakers were traditionally closed.)

The new afternoon service was also aimed at providing an alternative for betting shop customers when horseracing was off due to inclement weather.

Today 16 of the 31 NGRC racecourses hold BAGS races in the morning, afternoon or evening (during the summer period).

As they are primarily held as a betting product for the high street (i.e. off-course bookmakers) the meetings are very different from the traditional evening racing. Generally they are sparsely attended; there is free admission and some of the catering facilities, bars etc may be closed.

While some tracks do make an effort to increase attendance at BAGS meetings perhaps though offering lunchtime meal deals we would recommend that you go racing for the first time in the evening for a more authentic and sociable greyhound racing experience.

Other major Race Types

Greyhound Derby
This race carries minimum added money of £50,000 but was worth £100,000 to the 2009 winner KINDA READY. The competition adopts a six-round format and attracts around 180 entries each year. The Derby is run over five successive weeks and has been staged at Wimbledon since 1985. The final takes place at the end of May.

Category One Race
These races carry minimum added money of £12,500. They can be run between one and four rounds but must be completed within a 15 consecutive day period unless the distance of the race is more than 600 metres where a third calendar week may be used. In any event the competition must be completed within 18 days. Winners in the heats of Category One events must receive a minimum of £100 and each runner £10.

Category One races coming up:
Betfair Yorkshire St Leger - Doncaster (Final on 16th November)
Betfred Eclipse - Nottingham (Final in December)

Category Two Race
These races carry minimum added money of £5000. They can be run with one, two or three rounds but must be completed within a 15 consecutive day period and must not include more than two Saturdays. With the exception of produce stakes, no clashes are involved. Winners in the heats will receive a minimum £100 and each runner £10.

Category Two races coming up:
Williamhill.com Oaks - Wimbledon (Final in December)
Henlow Puppy Derby - Henlow (Final in December)
Ladbrokes Christmas Festival Monmore Green (Final in December)

Category Three Race
These events carry minimum added money of £1000. They can be run over one or two rounds and within a maximum nine-day period. A category three race that is staged over one day must carry minimum added money of £500.

Match Race
The minimum prize money for a match race (a contest between two greyhounds only) is £500.

Invitation Race
A separate category of open race proposed to the committee by the GBGB or by a promoter after the normal procedural deadline. The minimum added money for these races is £750 of which £500 must go to the winner with all runners receiving a minimum of £50 appearance money.

Minor Open Race
This is any open race, other than the heats of a category one, two or three race, not included in the open race list and run on one day. The minimum added money for these races is £150 of which £100 must be paid to the winner and at least £10 to each runner.