The Classic is a greyhound racing competition held at Sunderland Greyhound Stadium. It was inaugurated in 2007 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.
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. 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.
Venue and distances 2007–2025 (Sunderland 450 metres)
Sponsors 2007–2018 (William Hill) 2019–2019 (NSL) 2021–2023 (ARC) 2024–2025 (Premier Greyhound Racing)
Past winners YearWinnerBreedingTrainerTime (Sec)SPNotes/ref2007 Mahers Boy Tucks Mein – Rons LuckElaine Parker (Sheffield) 26.77 9/4jf 2008 Lenson Express Top Honcho – Gold SeacrestTony Collett (Sittingbourne) 27.14 3/12009 Jogadusc Ace Brett Lee – Star of Dromin Mark Wallis (Harlow) 27.83 5/12010 Target Classic Big Daddy Cool – Drumna CharmCraig Dawson (Newcastle) 26.94 7/22011 Blonde Snapper Droopys Kewell – Rough Charley Mark Wallis (Yarmouth) 26.59 5/2Track record2012 Loughteen Blanco Droopys Scolari – Loughteen Lassie Seamus Cahill (Hove) 26.95 5/12013 Pinpoint Maxi Premier Fantasy – Kingsmill AbuKelly Macari (Sunderland) 27.02 4/5f2014 Mileheight Alba Ballymac Maeve – Giddyup GirlPat Rosney (Perry Barr) 26.79 7/22015 No But Ace Hi Rumble – Westmead CindyukJulie Calvert (Sunderland) 27.00 5/22016 Roxholme Scolari Droopys Scolari – Bellmore RubyHayley Keightley (Private) 26.75 8/12017 Droopys Country Aero Majestic – Droopys CoastAngela Harrison (Newcastle) 26.91 3/12018 Allowdale Bruno Scolari Me Daddy – Noelles PrimcoHarry Williams (Pelaw Grange) 26.75 10/12019 Velvet Juliet Head Bound – Velvet All JamAngela Harrison (Newcastle) 26.70 7/4jf2020 Not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic2021 Narcos The Great Droopys Jet – College JadeGeorge Cunningham (Private) 26.84 13/22022Move Over Cha Gaytime Hawk – Move Over Eliza Angela Harrison (Newcastle)26.762/12023Jonny Whiskers Skywalker Logan – Cudkevinbewrong Harry Burton (Newcastle)26.8213/82024Bramble LintonBallymac Vic – Jaytee PearlSteven Anderson (Newcastle)26.895/22025Santas AmigoBallymac Best Santas JetDavid Mullins (Romford)26.9215/8
References