The Inaugural Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) Puppy Classic series has been confirmed in the calendar and will be held in late November 2025.
It has also been confirmed that the final of the Classic will be worth $150,000 to the winner, making the event the fourth most lucrative in NSW behind only the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase ($1 million), the Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg ($300,000), and the Ladbrokes 715 ($250,000).
Heats of the Classic will be run on November 21, with the final scheduled for November 28. Both heats and final will be run at Richmond.
The series will be conducted over the 520m distance.
Only greyhounds which were purchased at the 2024 GRNSW Auction are eligible to compete in this series.
Last year’s GRNSW Auction was a resounding success with total sales of $1.27 million and an average of $9,600.
“Last year was the first time an auction had been held in NSW for five years, and both the vendors and buyers fully supported the event with some great results for both parties,” GRNSW chief executive officer Steve Griffin said.
“We saw plenty of familiar faces buying, but we also saw many new people enter the industry through the Auction and many of those pups sold will be soon heading the track to race.
“Having a race series with a final that is so lucrative was undoubtedly a carrot for buyers, and I’m pleased we have been able to lock in details, and while it’s still a fair way away, I’m sure there will be plenty of eyes on it already.
“The success of the 2024 Auction shouldn’t be judged purely on the figures from last year, but perhaps a good gauge is the interest the 2025 auction has generated. Last year was impressive but we have received even more nominations for this year, and that event, on May 25 may surpass the success of last year.”
The show-stopping, sale-topping pups last year were the four Fernando Bale-She’s A Pearl youngsters which have just turned 18 months of age.
Leading trainer Andy Lord, who will train the quartet, recently said: “I’ve been in this game for a long while now and it does take a little bit to get me excited, but when I tell you these pups are on track to be some of the best we’ve ever had, I don’t say that lightly.”
The 2025 Auction on May 25 will again be held at Richmond, with the catalogue being finalised and available online very soon.
