Racegoers in Wolverhampton turned the clocks back 100 years on Friday to mark greyhound racing’s centenary at a special fixture hosted by Dunstall Park.
Owners, trainers, officials and fans of the sport gathered for a 1920s themed evening of racing, history and heritage at the UK’s newest track, which opened in September following a multi-million pound investment by Arena Racing Company.
Celebrations took place exactly 100 years after greyhound racing’s first fixture at Belle Vue, Manchester, on July 24, 1926.
Sack suits, flat caps and waistcoats were dusted off as guests dined on a three-course 1920s inspired menu in the presence of historical memorabilia including news clippings, winning jackets, trophies and vintage books.
Six tribute races
The evening also featured six races in tribute to the sport’s first fixture a century ago, with each race worth £1,926 to the winner.
Chris Black, general manager at Dunstall Park Stadium, hailed the night as a huge success.
“It was a wonderful way to mark greyhound racing’s centenary,” said Chris.
“All six races replicated the first fixture at Belle Vue exactly 100 years ago – it’s a genuine honour to celebrate such a milestone moment for the sport and is something Wolverhampton can be proud of.
“It’s now our duty to ensure the next 100 years are equally memorable.”
Explosion in popularity
Following its launch in July 1926, greyhound racing exploded in popularity and is even credited with saving Wembley Stadium when the sport was introduced to the national stadium in 1927.
Crowds greater than 90,000 gathered at tracks including White City – host venue of the 1908 Summer Olympics – Wimbledon and Walthamstow to cheer on dogs which achieved household name status such as Mick The Miller, Ballyregan Bob and Scurlogue Champ.
Dual English Greyhound Derby champion Westmead Hawk even became the first dog to be profiled at Madame Tussauds as part of the museum’s ‘Best of British’ season in October 2007.
Today, there are 16 tracks licensed by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), each of which will celebrate National Greyhound Week at the end of August in a further bid to drive interest.
Chris added: “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.
“It’s a fantastic, family friendly, night out people of all ages can enjoy.”
Most successful trainer
Winners on the night included Strike It Skye, who took the Premier Greyhound Racing 100 Years on Track Standard.
The two-year-old champion racer is trained by Mark Wallis, the sport’s most successful trainer having won its Greyhound Trainer of the Year title 16 times and the English Greyhound Derby twice with Kinda Ready (2009) and Blonde Snapper (2012).
Oxfordshire-based Kevin Hutton doubled up with Signet Nayla and Venetian Mick stepping onto the podium in the SIS British Bred and Entain Stayers respectively. Paul Young also enjoyed a double with Gav Nificent and Droopys Rated crossing the line in front in the ARC Puppy and Jenningsbet Marathon.
Essex trainer Maxine Locke also tasted success with Turnthemagicon in the RCPA 100 Years of Track Dash.
Further information about Dunstall Park Greyhound Stadium is available online via www.dunstallpark-greyhounds.co.uk.
