A trip to any sportsbook will see plenty of betting opportunities for greyhound racing. This has been a popular sport for many decades, with tracks around the world. This article looks at the history of greyhound racing in the UK, where it all started.
Early Beginnings
The 18th century is the first stopping off point. 1776 saw the first modern coursing club opened in Swaffham in the UK. Coursing saw greyhounds and other canines chasing and catching animals ranging from rabbits to hares and deer. It became more popular in the following century, attracting vast crowds. As greyhound racing was introduced, though, this slightly kinder sport began to take over.
Greyhounds were used to being used for coursing but weren’t initially that great at racing. They needed an incentive – cocaine was not allowed – and that came with the artificial lure in 1912. This was invented by an American called Owen Patrick Smith. The greyhounds would see what they thought was a hare and start to chase it.
Greyhound Racing Takes Off
It was in 1926 that the sport of greyhound racing took off in the UK. Again, an American was involved as Charles Munn helped launch the Greyhound Racing Association. The Belle Vue stadium in Manchester was the first to hold a meeting, and it proved to be a great success.
So began a great sport, and if you want to read an in-depth look at greyhound racing history, go to greyhoundbetting.co.uk. Fans didn’t, of course, just enjoy the racing, there was the chance to win some cash. Betting on greyhound racing became increasingly popular with tote betting available and with on-track bookies throughout the UK.
Massive Crowds
As the years went by, greyhound racing became so popular it became the largest sport in the UK. Meetings were constantly held in front of packed crowds. By 1946, there were over 275 registered or independent tracks. No wonder – an astonishing 34 million customers in 1946 went through the turnstiles to watch greyhound racing.
As the sport grew in popularity, some major races were launched. The English Greyhound Derby was first run in 1927 at the White City Stadium in London. It continued to be held there up until 1984; the following year, it moved to Wimbledon. More recently, it moved to Towcester and the current venue, Nottingham. Such was the popularity of the race, the final used to see 70,000 people in attendance. In later years, the ‘Wimbledon roar’ became a famous part of the race.
True Legends
There have been many famous winners, including Mick the Miller, who won in both 1929 and 1930. It looked as if he’d won the following year again, but a re-run was ordered. He’s the only greyhound to have won the Derby, the Cesarewitch and the St Leger. He even appeared in a movie with Flanagan and Allen. On death, he was stuffed and is now on display at the Natural History Museum in Tring.
Many years later, Ballyregan Bob began a record unbeaten run. In 1985 and 1986, he won 32 races in a row. Sadly, injury prevented him from taking part in the final of the 1985 St Leger, another famous race that has been held since 1928.
No look back at the history of greyhound racing can omit Scurlogue Champ. He won 51 of his 63 races and set 20 track records. Big wins included the Cesarewitch in 1985 and the BBC Television Trophy in both 1985 and 1986. Racing over long distances, he was famous for trailing by a wide distance and then showing his stamina by still winning the race. He did take on Ballyregan Bob once at Wembley Stadium in 1985. As usual, the Champ was well adrift and then started to make ground, only to pull up injured.
Dip in Popularity
Visiting your local greyhound track isn’t just about watching the racing and hopefully getting some winners. With bars and restaurants, it’s a great night out, but recent years have seen attendance drop at some tracks. Extended betting shop hours and online gambling sites have resulted in more fans watching what’s happening away from the tracks and stadiums having to close.
There have also been concerns over the welfare of the greyhounds, particularly in retirement. The sport continues to be a staple diet for bookmakers and a good night out. It is never likely to return to its glory days, but it still has many fans who love nothing more than a night out at the dogs. Hopefully, when the COVID-19 crisis ends, those nights out will begin again.