Derry Greyhound Stadium
 | |
| Location | Brandywell Showgrounds, Lone Moor Road Derry Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Owner | Derry City and Strabane District Council |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 29 July 1932 |
| Renovated | 19 April 2018 (new track built) |
Derry Greyhound Stadium is the greyhound racing operation held at the Brandywell Showgrounds next to the new Brandywell Stadium in Northern Ireland. The track was relocated from around the football pitch to next door to it, opening in 2018. Racing takes place every Monday evening.
History
Northern Irish greyhound tracks are unusual in the sport of greyhound racing within the United Kingdom due to the fact that they do not fall within the jurisdiction of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Instead, the Bord na gCon (the Irish Greyhound Board) oversee proceedings.
The track in Derry raced for the first time on 29 July 1932 under the leadership of Hugh Duffy.[1] The track was constructed around the Brandywell Stadium football stadium, home of Derry City.
The original track was regarded as being one of the smallest in Ireland. The Brandywell Greyhound Racing Company were responsible for ensuring that racing continued over the years, even during the period from 1971 until 1985[2] when the football was cancelled here due to the unrest in Northern Ireland. The greyhound racing was fortunate to experience just one short closure which took place in 1971 following the loss of 20 fixtures previously.[3]
The track hosts an Irish Greyhound Derby trial stake every year and major events have included the James Corry Marathon, Festival Derby and Ulster 500.[4]
Closure
The greyhound racing closed on Saturday 3 December 2016. The stadium was demolished with plans for new stadium and a stand alone greyhound track.[5] [6]
New track
A stand alone greyhound track was part of the 2018 £7m development for a new state of the art stadium.[7] The facility funded by Derry City and Strabane District Council in conjunction with the Executive Office included the track, that was opened for trials, by the Brandywell Greyhound Racing Company on 9 February 2018.[8] Racing continues every Monday evening. [9]
Track records
Track records (new track)
| Distance | Greyhound | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300y | Rosshill Rocket [10] | 16.51 | 19 April 2018 |
| 500y | Central Boss [11] | 27.51 | 28 May 2018 |
| 525y | Central Boss [12] | 28.78 | 6 August 2018 |
Track records (old track)
| Distance | Greyhound | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300y | Cobra | 16.46 | 17 August 2009 |
| 440y | Street Cat | 24.94 | 13 July 1981 |
| 500y | Eden Brett | 27.64 | 22 September 2008 |
| 525y | Lignamonagh Bray | 28.90 | 11 July 2003 |
| 600y | Star Model | 33.79 | 24 November 2003 |
| 720y | Farloe Tico | 40.42 | 12 June 2008 |
| 920y | Tullys Passion | 53.96 | 31 May 2007 |
References
- ^ Genders, Roy (1981). The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. p. 21. ISBN 07207-1106-1.
- ^ Genders, Roy (1981). The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 07207-1106-1.
- ^ "Remember When - September". Greyhound Star.
- ^ Barnes, Julia (1991). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-61-9.
- ^ "Brandywell Closes". Greyhound Star.
- ^ "End of an era at Brandywell as greyhound racing in Derry makes tracks to its new home". Derry Now.
- ^ "Work on £7m Brandywell redevelopment to be completed before end of the year". Irish News.
- ^ "GREYHOUNDS: New Brandywell track hosts first trials". Derry Journal.
- ^ "Results". Irish Greyhound Board.
- ^ "300 Track record". Irish Greyhound Board.
- ^ "500 Track record". Irish Greyhound Board.
- ^ "525 Track record". Irish Greyhound Board.