Racegoers in Wolverhampton 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.
And a few months shy of the sport’s centenary, Wolverhampton cut the ribbon on the sport’s newest venue when Dunstall Park Greyhound Stadium opened its doors for the first time on Monday, September 8.
Now, weeks after Sovereign Poppy won Dunstall Park’s first race, officials are gearing up to mark the sport’s centenary with racing in July scheduled every Saturday and Wednesday 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 latest renewal of the £10,000 BGBF British Bred Puppy Cup, which the track will host on Saturday, July 18, where admission is free to all racegoers who book online in advance.
Chris Black, General Manager at Dunstall Park Greyhound 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.
Dunstall Park will celebrate this and more at a one-off Centenary Celebration fixture on July 24 where a six-race card – replicating the very first fixture at Belle Vue – will mark the sport’s 100th birthday.
Chris added: “Greyhound racing is a firm part of the UK’s sporting culture.
“We are proud to be our sport’s newest venue, and also lead the way from a welfare point of view by providing 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.”
Dunstall Park’s full fixture list to mark greyhound racing’s centenary can be viewed online via www.dunstallpark-greyhounds.co.uk.
