Racegoers in Nottingham will celebrate greyhound racing’s centenary in the UK next month with a sparkling programme of events to lure crowds trackside to one of Britain’s favourite pastimes.
Almost 100 years have passed since Mistley won the first modern greyhound race in the UK at Belle Vue Stadium in Manchester on July 24, 1926.
It was two years later when greyhound racing was introduced to Nottingham, firstly at White City Stadium before the present track in Colwick Park opened its doors for the first time in 1980.
Almost 50 years after a greyhound named Tartan Al won the first race at the Colwick track, officials are gearing up to mark the sport’s centenary with racing in July scheduled every Friday and Monday evening.
The track has even slashed the price of its Trackside Restaurant three-course meal hospitality package to £19.26 per person, in recognition of the sport’s birth year.
It comes ahead of the 30th renewal of the £12,500 Arena Racing Company Puppy Classic this August Bank Holiday Monday, where local trainers will hope to end a 31-year wait since a greyhound attached to Nottingham last won one of its major events.
David Evans, General Manager at Nottingham Stadium, said: “July signals a historic moment for greyhound racing, and we are anticipating a bumper month trackside.
“While our sport – and other pursuits in life – have undergone significant change in the last century, greyhound racing’s fundamentals remain the same with the dogs at the heart of everything we do.
“Our racing operation touches millions of people worldwide every week.
“But July presents a perfect opportunity for racegoers to get themselves trackside and experience the thrill of the chase in person.
“It’s a fantastic, family friendly, night out people of all ages can enjoy.”
Greyhound racing exploded after World War II, with crowds of up to 92,000 turning up to watch fixtures at showcase venues including White City Stadium and Walthamstow.
Greyhound racing is even credited with saving Wembley Stadium from demolition in the 1920s when the sport’s introduction ensured the national stadium’s operators avoided liquidation.
More recently, champion racer Westmead Hawk became the first animal athlete to receive his own waxwork at Madame Tussauds in London.
And Nottingham itself hosted the sport’s most prestigious competition in 2019 and 2020 when Priceless Blake and Deerjet Sydney were first past the post in the English Greyhound Derby – a competition which dates back to 1927.
David added: “Greyhound racing is a firm part of the UK’s sporting culture.
“We are proud to not only have welcomed crowds here at Nottingham for almost half-a-century, but also lead the way from a welfare point of view and provide outstanding levels of care and love at all stages of a greyhound’s life.
“They make the perfect pets in retirement, which we’re proud to facilitate by working closely with our homing partners who ensure each dog finds its perfect, forever, home when its racing career ends.
“Our team will showcase this and more to racegoers through our centenary celebrations for visitors old and new.”
Nottingham’s full fixture list to mark greyhound racing’s centenary can be viewed online via www.nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk.
Doors open at 5.30pm on Monday and Friday nights.
