Towcester in talks for a TV repeat

TOWCESTER has confirmed an interest in staging the TV Trophy during this year’s Derby after the prestigious marathon competition was a notable omission from the 2026 GBGB open-race calendar.

Talks are currently ongoing between the Northamptonshire venue and the GBGB to host the eight-bend competition across the second and third rounds of the Classic, with the aim of still running the traditional Dorando Marathon race on Derby final night.

GBGB’s commercial director Mark Moisley said: “We are not in a position to make any announcement regarding this year’s TV Trophy but we are hopeful that the deal can be reached by the end of the week.”

Predominantly a nomadic competition since its first staging in 1958, the TV Trophy was held at Wimbledon for nine consecutive years between 1997 and 2005 before again moving from track to track.

Champion stayer Mongys Wild broke the 942m track record at Towcester in last year’s final and his handler Mark Wallis emphasised the competition’s importance as he said: “It would be very poor for the sport if an event as big as the TV Trophy failed to happen this year.

“It doesn’t matter when it happens as long as it does. It’s a competition steeped in history.”

On the defending champion, who was last sighted winning the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket at Monmore last month, Wallis added: “He’s really well and banging down the kennel door at home desperate for a run.

“I’ll look to give him a trial somewhere shortly.”

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