Greyhound Grades Explained: From Open Class to A6

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The League Table of Greyhound Racing

A1, A2, OR — these letters are the league table of greyhound racing. Every greyhound competing at a licensed track in Britain is assigned a grade that reflects its ability level, determined by its recent racing performance. The grading system serves the same function as divisions in football: it ensures that dogs of similar quality race against each other, producing competitive fields and meaningful form. For bettors, understanding grades is essential because a dog’s grade tells you the standard of competition it’s accustomed to — and in the context of the English Greyhound Derby, it tells you whether a dog is stepping up, holding its level, or dropping down when it enters the competition.

The grading system is administered by individual tracks under the oversight of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB). Each track maintains its own grading structure, and a dog’s grade at one track may differ from its grade at another, because the standard of competition varies between venues. A dog graded A2 at a strong track like Romford might be equivalent in ability to an A1 dog at a weaker venue. For Derby purposes, this means that raw grade comparisons between dogs from different tracks can be misleading. The grade is a guide, not an absolute measure.

The Full Grading Structure

The highest grade in British greyhound racing is Open Race (OR), which denotes dogs competing at the elite level. Open-class races have no restrictions on entry based on grade — they’re invitation-based or qualifying-based events that bring together the best dogs regardless of their graded record. Most English Greyhound Derby contenders race at open class or are graded at the highest levels at their home tracks. Open-class form is the most reliable indicator of Derby-level ability because it’s earned against the strongest opposition available.

Below open class, the grading system runs through a sequence of letters and numbers. The standard structure at most tracks is A1 (the highest graded level), A2, A3, A4, A5, and A6, with some tracks extending to A7 or beyond for the lowest tier. The “A” stands for the main racing category, and the number indicates the level within it. An A1 dog races in the highest-graded races at its track; an A5 dog races in the lower tiers. Movement between grades is determined by performance: a dog that wins at A3 level will typically be upgraded to A2, while a dog that consistently finishes poorly at A2 may be regraded to A3.

The mechanics of regrading vary between tracks, but the general principle is consistent. Winning a race triggers an upgrade of at least one grade. Failing to place in a specified number of consecutive races may trigger a downgrade. Some tracks apply automatic regrading based on a points system — points earned for wins and places, lost for poor finishes — while others rely on the racing manager’s discretion. The result is a fluid system where dogs move up and down the grades throughout their careers, with the best dogs rising to A1 or open class and the less competitive ones settling at levels that match their ability.

Some tracks use additional grade categories. S grades denote stayers — dogs competing over longer distances (typically 600 metres and above). D grades are used at some tracks for middle-distance races. H and I grades may appear for hurdle racing or introductory races for young dogs. For Derby betting, the A grades and open-class designations are the relevant ones, as the competition is run over the standard 500-metre trip.

Irish grading follows a different system administered by Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI). Irish grades use a similar hierarchical structure but with different nomenclature and criteria. When Irish-trained dogs enter the English Derby, their Irish grade provides a reference point but doesn’t directly translate to the British system. An A1 dog in Ireland might be the equivalent of an open-class dog in Britain, or it might not — the calibre of competition at individual Irish tracks varies, just as it does in Britain. For bettors assessing Irish raiders in the Derby, recent race times and competition standard matter more than the grade label itself.

How Grade Form Translates to Derby Performance

The Derby field encompasses a wide range of abilities. The strongest entries are dogs that compete regularly at open class — dogs with proven form against the best opposition at major tracks like Towcester, Romford, Nottingham, and Hove. These dogs enter the Derby with form that’s directly comparable to what they’ll face in the competition. Their times, their finishing positions, and their running styles have all been tested against elite fields, and the data is reliable.

Below the elite tier, the Derby typically attracts A1-graded dogs who are improving and potentially capable of competing at open class but haven’t yet proven it. These dogs are the market’s biggest pricing challenge. An A1 dog with rapid improvement — winning its last three starts with progressively faster times — might be approaching open-class standard without having formally earned the grade. If the market prices it based on its A1 label rather than its trajectory, there may be value. Conversely, an A1 dog whose improvement has plateaued may be near its ceiling, and the Derby’s step up in class could expose its limitations.

Dogs graded A2 or below occasionally enter the Derby, typically as entries from smaller tracks or as late-developing types that their trainers believe can compete at a higher level. The vast majority of these entries are eliminated in the first or second round. The quality gap between A2 and open class is substantial — equivalent to several lengths over 500 metres — and it rarely closes within the timeframe of a single competition. Backing an A2 dog in a Derby heat is a high-risk proposition, and the ante-post price usually reflects that risk accurately.

One analytical technique that experienced Derby bettors use is to compare a dog’s graded form with its performance in open-class or feature races. A dog graded A1 at its home track but with two or three open-class runs that produced competitive times is a stronger Derby proposition than a dog graded A1 with no open-class exposure. The grade tells you where the dog normally races. The open-class form — or lack of it — tells you whether it can handle the level the Derby demands.

Trainer upgrades are another factor. Some trainers campaign their dogs conservatively in graded races, keeping them at A2 or A3 to build confidence and win percentage, before unleashing them in open-class events or the Derby. These dogs may arrive at the competition with a graded record that understates their true ability. The market, which often relies heavily on grade labels for pricing, can undervalue these dogs — particularly in the early rounds, before they’ve proven their ability against Derby-level opposition.

Class Tells

Grades are a framework, not a verdict. They tell you where a dog has been racing, not where its ceiling lies. The best Derby bettors use grades as one input among many — alongside times, form figures, trap draw, running style, and trainer record — to build a complete picture of each dog’s chances. A dog’s grade matters. What it does when it steps beyond that grade matters more.

Check the grade. Check the open-class form. Check the times. And when a dog graded below the elite level produces a first-round performance that suggests it belongs at a higher level, be prepared to adjust your assessment faster than the market does. The Derby has a history of revealing talent that the grading system hadn’t yet fully recognised.