The Best Greyhound Racing Tracks UK

Despite the differences in stadia size, and whether they are used solely for greyhounds, or are multiple use venues, the average race format more or less stays the same. There are usually ten to fourteen races, spaced out in fifteen minute intervals, taking the total time of the event between three to four hours. Races can either take place in the late morning, mid-afternoon or even the early evening.

In our overview of the best greyhound tracks in the British Isles, we will cover absolutely everything you need to know; including the biggest racecourses in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and give you an idea of what to expect during an average day at the races.

Most Popular Greyhound Racing Tracks in the British Isles

More than 3.2 million people visit the greyhounds each and every year, making it one of Britain’s biggest sports. There are a total of 30 racetracks in Great Britain, including 27 in England, 2 in Scotland and 1 in Wales. As for Ireland and Northern Ireland – there are far more racetracks per person, with over 19 in the Republic and 2 in the North. This means, with a total of 50 racetracks across the British Isles, there are plenty of places for one to go for their evening’s entertainment. In the history of the UK, there have been 143 regulated tracks and 256 independent tracks since 1926. Most racecourses are registered with the Greyhound Board of Great Britain in the UK, and the Bord na gCon (Irish Greyhound Board) take care of Ireland. However, some remaining racetracks work without a license, meaning that they are instead subject to local laws. Northern Irish racetracks are in a tricky situation as they aren’t under the jurisdiction of either board.

Just like with the horses, there is a strong relationship between the UK and Ireland with regard to greyhound racing. Around 80% of greyhounds supplied to the UK come from Ireland, and bookmakers regularly give odds of an Irish dog winning the English Greyhound Derby. Considered a working-class sport, entry to a race is much cheaper than horse racing or football, and the prices at the bar won’t burn a hole in your wallet. Registered stadiums are more prone to off-course greyhound betting – as they recoup many funds from bookmakers collecting bets – while unlicensed stadia have the problem of not being able to rely so easily on online bookmakers to make their money. Here are some of the biggest across both countries.

England

England is the home of greyhound racing, both spiritually and physically, and where its most popular races take place. From Crayford to Hove, Sunderland to Harlow, the entire country is dotted with more greyhound stadiums than any other country apart from Australia. Here we look at three of the most prestigious.

Towcester

Since the closure of Wimbledon Stadium this year, Towcester has now risen to be the most important greyhound racing track in the UK. Despite being very new – only opening in 2014, and being the first greyhound track to open in England since 1995 – we give it this honour for being the host of the English Greyhound Derby, the most important greyhound event in the whole world. Located within the horse race stadium Towcester Racecourse, it cost around 15 million to build and has a huge screen for fans to watch replays on.

Belle Vue

Belle Vue in Manchester will always be the most historically important stadium in British history, having hosted the first race around an oval track back in July 1926. Now celebrating over 90 years of excellent service, there is no better time to visit Belle Vue stadium. It is home to some of the biggest competitions in the greyhound racing calendar: the Scurry Gold Cup, running at 260m; the Laurels, running at 470m; and the Oaks, also running at 470m.

Romford

One of two racetracks still located in London (the other being Crayford), Romford stadium has long been a go-to destination for any greyhound enthusiast. Seating over 4,300 people, the stadium’s legacy is set, having won the British Greyhound Racing Board’s “Racecourse of the Year” award twice. Remarkably, it is also where cheetah racing was briefly and unsuccessfully introduced into the UK in 1937. In addition to this, popular British rave outfit, Underworld, named their songs Born Slippy, Sappy’s Curry and Pearl’s Girl after dogs that raced at the track. Home to popular events such as the Essex Vase, Champion Stakes and the Golden Sprint.

Ireland

In many ways, greyhound racing is more popular in Ireland than it is in Great Britain. Not only do they provide most of the greyhounds racing in the UK, but they also have many more stadiums per person, with new ones being built every few years. The biggest races in Ireland are the Irish Greyhound Derby and the Northern Irish Derby, as well as the Easter Cup, Champion Stakes, Cesarewitch, Oaks, Laurels and St.Leger.

Shelbourne Park

Shelbourne park was opened on 14 May 1927 in South Dublin as an alternative to Celtic Park in Belfast. A year later they inaugurated the Easter Cup as a means of commemorating the Easter Uprising of 1916. It is now the site of the Irish Greyhound Derby – by far the biggest race in Ireland – and, with Celtic Park being replaced by a shopping mall, is also the biggest racetrack in the country.

Drumbo Park

One of only two racecourses in Northern Ireland (the other being in Derry City), Drumbo Park has been growing from strength to strength since its founding in 2010. Home to the Northern Irish Derby – the biggest greyhound race in Northern Ireland – it can easily cement itself as the pride of Ulster. The capacity is around 1000, with 250 seats.

Dundalk Stadium

One of the most expensive racecourses ever built – totalling a whopping €35million to build – this multipurpose stadium (also home to horse racing) has only grown in stature since 2003. It hosts the annual Dundalk International, its prize money of €20,000 making it one of the most important greyhound races in the annual calendar. The stadium is also host to the Irish Sprint Cup, which runs over 400 yards.

Scotland and Wales

The remaining countries in the British Isles, Scotland and Wales, may not be as passionate about greyhound racing as the English and the Irish, but they still have a long and exciting history. Hosting prestigious events such as the Scottish Greyhound Derby and the St Mungo Cup, true aficionados of the sport know that there is some great racing to be had in both Scotland and Wales.

Shawfield Stadium

The last remaining Greyhound Board of Great Britain greyhound track still going in Scotland, Shawfield Stadium in South Lanarkshire has been hosting dog races ever since 1932. Host to both the Scottish Greyhound Derby – which runs over 480m – and the Mungo Cup – which boasts an awesome prize total of £4,000.

Thornton Stadium

Open ever since 1936, Thornton Stadium is one of two greyhound racing tracks remaining in Scotland. It is located in Kirkcaldy, Fife, and its silica sand track surface features great galloping over 680 metres. It is an independent track, meaning that it is not tied to the Greyhound Board of Great Britain.

Valley Greyhound Stadium

The Valley Greyhound Stadium is famous for being the only greyhound racing stadium in the whole of Wales. Located in Ystrad Mynach, the racetrack is independent, which means it isn’t regulated by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain. It is open on Thursdays and Saturdays, and hosts races between 310, 515 and 720 yards. Its biggest cup is the Glamorgan Cup, featuring some of the best greyhounds from across the country.

A Day at the Track

Spending a day at the races is very much a ritual for many members of the British and Irish public. With events taking place every day of the week, they can always find somewhere to go to watch and bet on dogs racing live. The average day takes place over three to four hours, with around 10 to 14 races taking place, spaced out over fifteen minutes each. The entry fee is remarkably cheaper than football or horse racing (usually around a fiver), making it popular for casual sports fans; especially as betting allows people to even win their money back! Greyhound tracks have fully stocked bars, restaurants and multiple betting booths, making it an ideal place for people to spend their day. Usually, greyhound tracks offer package deals which include a meal, a drink and a racecard for a very reasonable fee.

With many races taking place each day, attending the track allows the punter to win any money they may pay on drinks or entry back through betting. It is a favourite with stag and hen dos, as well as office parties and couples nights out, as staff offer to take tote bets while they sit at their seats. We believe here, that while greyhound betting online – with many bookmakers, such as William Hill featuring the ability to live stream – is enjoyable, nothing can beat the live atmosphere of attending a greyhound race. We hope our guide here gives you some great ideas of places you can attend! In the meantime, head over to the greyhound betting main page for a full comparison of online greyhound betting.