Greyhound Racing Ireland has published the Classic & Feature Events Calendar for 2016.

The final of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby will take place on Saturday 17th of September 2016. The composition of the schedule for 2016 seeks to maximise the quality of racing based on the current pools of greyhounds available for racing. The schedule also seeks to avoid direct clashes involving the same category of greyhounds for example, Bitch, Puppy, Sprint and Staying events. This enables greyhounds to compete in their favoured or specialised category or distance throughout the whole year.

Building of the schedule for 2016 also needed to be cognisant of the increasing numbers participating in the Scottish and English Derby’s and key Irish Classic events. The Irish Independent Laurels Final will take place on Saturday July 16th 2016.

Phil Meaney Chairman of GRI commented that “that the racing calendar for 2016 has been approved by the GRI Board and that the Board is confident that this calendar reflects an appropriate balance between the needs of owners and trainers and the welfare of the greyhounds and the spread of racing throughout the year. The date for the Irish Laurels ensures that owners and trainers can go for the Scottish and English Derby’s and still compete in the Irish Laurels”.

Geraldine Larkin CEO Greyhound Racing Ireland stated “that the 2016 Calendar is a practical and pragmatic outcome in attempting to balance all of the parameters in terms of racing, commercial, owners, trainers, greyhound pools and ensuring the best for the dogs in terms of welfare. I hope all concerned for the industry will fully support the 2016 schedule which we believe will deliver the best of racing for greyhound enthusiasts, our sponsors and the public generally in 2016”.

To View the Full calendar for 2016 click here