| Group 1 and Original Classic race | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:1959_Gurteen_Scamp_Oaks.jpg) 1959 winner Gurteen Scamp | |
| Location | Perry Barr Stadium |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1927 |
| Sponsor | Premier Greyhound Racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 480 metres |
| Surface | Sand |
| Qualification | Bitches only |
| Purse | £20,000 (winner) |
The Oaks is an original classic greyhound competition, held at Perry Barr Stadium.
It was first run at White City Stadium from 1927[1] until 1958,[2][3] and gained classic status in September 1939, becoming the seventh classic race but due to the war it was suspended until 1945.[4] The race was held at Harringay Stadium from 1959 until 1987 and then to Wimbledon Stadium in 1988 until 2012.[5][6]
In 2013 the Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) decided to move the event to sister track Belle Vue Stadium and just five years later, during 2018, it switched to Towcester following the decision by GRA to reduce their major race schedule.[7] A sixth change of venue was necessary in 2018 following the sudden closure of Towcester, leading owner John Turner stepped in to save the event with a late scheduling being organised in December at Swindon Stadium.[8]
In 2021, the race was switched from Swindon to Perry Barr due to the ongoing saga surrounding Swindon's redevelopment.[9] The event stayed at Perry Barr and with the introduction of new sponsors in the form of Premier Greyhound Racing the prize money pot was increased significantly for the 2022 edition.
- ^ "Greyhound Racing". West London Observer. 14 October 1927. Retrieved 28 October 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, pages 171-174. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
- ^ "Home". thedogs.co.uk.
- ^ "Remember When - September 1939". Greyhound Star. 2012.
- ^ Genders, Roy (1981). The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 07207-1106-1.
- ^ Hobbs, Jonathan (2007). Greyhound Annual 2008, pages 142-144. Raceform. ISBN 978-1-905153-53-4.
- ^ "Towcester gets the Oaks, Leger Stays at the Barr". Greyhound Star. 23 July 2018.
- ^ "Oaks to be run in December". Greyhound Star. 8 November 2018.
- ^ "ARC takes Oaks to Perry Barr". Greyhound Star. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.