The Classic is a greyhound racing competition held at Sunderland Greyhound Stadium.[1] It was inaugurated in 2007[2] and initially formed part of a festival of racing which also included the William Hill Grand Prix. In 2019 the Classic was renamed, dropping the sponsor's name William Hill. The event was not run in 2020 but returned during 2021.[3]
| Category 1 race | |
 Mahers Boy, inaugural winner in 2007 | |
| Location | Sunderland |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 2007 |
| Sponsor | Premier Greyhound Racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 450 metres |
| Surface | Sand |
| Purse | £20,000 (winner) |
The prize money offered was a substantial first prize of £40,000, which meant that it was considered a major competition in United Kingdom greyhound racing at the time.[4] However, it dropped to just £6,500 before increasing to £10,000 in 2022 and then £20,000 in 2024 under the sponsorship of Premier Greyhound Racing.[3]
Distances & venue
- 2007–2024 (Sunderland 450 metres)
Sponsors
- 2007–2018 (William Hill)
- 2019–2019 (NSL)
- 2021–2023 (ARC)
- 2024–2024 (Premier Greyhound Racing)
Past winners
| Year | Winner | Breeding | Trainer | Time (Sec) | SP | Notes/ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Mahers Boy | Tucks Mein – Rons Luck | Elaine Parker (Sheffield) | 26.77 | 9/4jf | [5] | |
| 2008 | Lenson Express | Top Honcho – Gold Seacrest | Tony Collett (Sittingbourne) | 27.14 | 3/1 | [6] | |
| 2009 | Jogadusc Ace | Brett Lee – Star of Dromin | Mark Wallis (Harlow) | 27.83 | 5/1 | [7] | |
| 2010 | Target Classic | Big Daddy Cool – Drumna Charm | Craig Dawson (Newcastle) | 26.94 | 7/2 | [8] | |
| 2011 | Blonde Snapper | Droopys Kewell – Rough Charley | Mark Wallis (Yarmouth) | 26.59 | 5/2 | Track record[9] | |
| 2012 | Loughteen Blanco | Droopys Scolari – Loughteen Lassie | Seamus Cahill (Hove) | 26.95 | 5/1 | [10] | |
| 2013 | Pinpoint Maxi | Premier Fantasy – Kingsmill Abu | Kelly Macari (Sunderland) | 27.02 | 4/5f | [11] | |
| 2014 | Mileheight Alba | Ballymac Maeve – Giddyup Girl | Pat Rosney (Perry Barr) | 26.79 | 7/2 | [12] | |
| 2015 | No But | Ace Hi Rumble – Westmead Cindyuk | Julie Calvert (Sunderland) | 27.00 | 5/2 | [13] | |
| 2016 | Roxholme Scolari | Droopys Scolari – Bellmore Ruby | Hayley Keightley (Private) | 26.75 | 8/1 | [14] | |
| 2017 | Droopys Country | Aero Majestic – Droopys Coast | Angela Harrison (Newcastle) | 26.91 | 3/1 | [15] | |
| 2018 | Allowdale Bruno | Scolari Me Daddy – Noelles Primco | Harry Williams (Pelaw Grange) | 26.75 | 10/1 | [16] | |
| 2019 | Velvet Juliet | Head Bound – Velvet All Jam | Angela Harrison (Newcastle) | 26.70 | 7/4jf | [17] | |
| 2020 | Not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||||
| 2021 | Narcos The Great | Droopys Jet – College Jade | George Cunningham (Private) | 26.84 | 13/2 | [18] | |
| 2022 | Move Over Cha | Gaytime Hawk – Move Over Eliza | Angela Harrison (Newcastle) | 26.76 | 2/1 | [19] | |
| 2023 | Jonny Whiskers | Skywalker Logan – Cudkevinbewrong | Harry Burton (Newcastle) | 26.82 | 13/8 | [20] | |
| 2024 | Bramble Linton | Ballymac Vic – Jaytee Pearl | Steven Anderson (Newcastle) | 26.89 | 5/2 | [21] | |
References
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