Racegoers in Newcastle 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 Newcastle, with the Foosway venue opening its doors for the first time on June 23, 1928.
Ninety-eight years after a greyhound named Marvin won the first race, officials at the track are gearing up to mark the sport’s centenary with racing in July scheduled every Thursday night, plus Friday and Saturday afternoons.
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 90th renewal of the £12,500 Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat final on Thursday, July 23, where local trainers will bid for a fourth straight win in the competition after Brookside Richie and Wicky Ned – both trained by Jimmy Fenwick – won in 2023 and 2024, while Naochra was first passed the post in last year’s final for John Flaherty.
Ian Walton, General Manager at Newcastle 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 in 1986 the eyes of the racing world were locked onto Newcastle when Scurlogue Champ became the first greyhound to successfully defend the TV Trophy in front of 9,000 adoring racegoers.
Ian added: “Greyhound racing is a firm part of the UK’s sporting culture.
“We are proud to not only operate as one of the longest running venues in the country, 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.”
Newcastle’s full fixture list to mark greyhound racing’s centenary can be viewed online via www.newcastle-greyhounds.co.uk.
Doors open at 5.30pm on Thursday evenings, while racing begins at 2.36pm and 2.28pm respectively on Fridays and Saturdays.
