Newbridge Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located northwest of Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.
Racing takes place every Friday evening and the facilities include the grandstand Masters Restaurant and Barkers Bar which offers ample seating.
Race distances are 325, 525, 550, 575 and 750 yards and the feature competitions are the Unraced Bitch Stake, the Juvenile Derby and the Newbridge Oaks.
History Following the closure of the old Newbridge greyhound track around St Conleth's Park in 1968 the operation was relocated to a more rural location north of the town near the Rickardstown/Cornelscourt area. It was still, however, within easy reach of the town and racing would originally take place every Monday and Friday. The new circuit was constructed in 1972, and the management brought the long-running Cox Cup with them. Named after the stadium landlords the Cox family (PJ Cox and sons Dermot and David). The new circuit tended to be a fast track with a large circumference of 520 yards. The new facilities included a glass-enclosed bar which allowed patrons to view not only the racing but the kennels and weighing room as well. During 1978 further changes were made with a facelift for the main stand; this was the same year that long-standing racing manager Denis Brennan gave up the racing manager's seat that was then taken by Christy Connolly.
The Cox Cup allowed the Newbridge public to view some of the sport's fastest greyhounds, including Ardfert Mick, who broke the track record during the 1991 event. Despite the track facing financial problems at various times, there were more track improvements in 2002, which provided a welcome rejuvenation. On 26 March 2011 the Cox family and the Newbridge Greyhound Racing Company called it a day and decided to close following a downturn in the economic climate. The management stated there has been a reduction in attendances, sponsorship and secondary business activity. The Cox Cup was held from 1964 to 2018.
Following a five-month closure it re-opened in August 2011 under the Morgan & Franklin Consortium headed by Managing Director David Morgan who provided renewed investment. Morgan had worked at a senior level with Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) in the past and was also the stadium director for Semple Stadium. The consortium included Peter Franklin, former head of marketing of the IGB and was called Morwell Racing Ltd. However, problems persisted at the track and in March 2013 Morwell Racing Ltd ceased racing.
Welcome news arrived shortly afterwards in 2013 when the IGB stepped in, this time led by the IGB's Philip Peake, and took control of the venue. The track recommenced racing once again on Friday and Saturday nights. Following the COVID-19 pandemic the track was forced into temporary closure but re-opened later, although racing is currently held on Friday evenings only.
Track records
Current Yards Greyhound Time Date Notes 325 Deanridge Onfire 17.217 August 2020525 Droopys Curio28.0713 March 2020550 Redwood Mick29.5030 May 2014Cox Cup semi final575 Wilcos Mate31.1214 July 2006600 Tyrur Chris 32.4011 June 2010750 Maireads Pearl41.435 April 2019845 Rough Quest47.3830 October 2009525 H Frightened Pig29.149 July 2004 Former
Yards Greyhound Time Date Notes 300 Clane Mint 16.50 11 June 1976 300 Joannes Treasure16.44 31 August 1990 300 Rockspring Peer 16.20 5 May 2000 325 Cool Gamble 17.38 17 January 2003 325 Kafima17.37 14 October 2005 325 Yes Boss17.358 November 2009325Junior Jet 17.2716 June 2017525 Shamrock Point 29.08 October 1974525 Some Skinomage 29.02 6 June 1977 525 Wise Band 29.02 21 June 1985 525 Airmount Grand 28.86 September 1988525 Ardfert Mick 28.68 22 June 1991Cox Cup heats525 Judicial Pride 28.58 14 June 1999 525 Velvet Commander 28.5825 October 2003 525 Spell Bound 28.42 31 October 2003525 Hillcroft Josie28.3919 October 2007525 Maireads Fantasy 28.2323 October 2009Newbridge Oaks 2nd round525 Cushie Jet 28.2131 August 20182018 Juvenile Derby Round 2525 Ballymac Anton 28.187 September 2018Texacloth Juvenile Derby semi final550 Track Whisper 30.46 17 July 1987550 Carlow Country 30.18 23 September 1988550 Droopys Mossie 29.96 3 July 1994550 Premier County 29.93 30 November 2001 550 Ten Men 29.81 11 July 2003550 Simply Vintage 29.71 11 July 2003 550 Top Boe 29.62 2 July 2004 Cox Cup second round550 Opinion 29.56 4 June 2010 Cox Cup semi-finals550 Tyrur Bucko 29.51 11 June 2010 Cox Cup Final550 Redwood Mick 29.50 30 May 2014 Cox Cup semi-finals575 The Other Master 32.56 2 August 2002575 Sonic Pearl 32.42 5 August 2002 575 Pickwick Song 31.87 9 August 2002 575 Curryhills Wade 31.5016 August 2002 575 Cabbage White 31.26 23 August 2002 575 Awesome Impact 31.24 26 May 2003 600 Red Smoke 33.34 9 April 1976 600 Synone Crest 32.97 24 July 1987600 Lisk Raven 32.904 September 1989 600 Guess Twice 32.86 28 June 1991 600 Charlie Bird 32.72 19 July 2002 600 Walking Sunday 32.71 19 July 2002600 Pennys Sunstar 32.69 6 September 2008 600 Dangerous Man 32.64 4 September 2009 750 Loch Bo Anchor 42.34 3 July 1994 750 Me Rocket 42.18 2 June 2003 750 Beaming Surprise41.98 16 January 2004 750 Hulkster 41.85 5 November 2005 750 Bricken Maley41.827 June 2013750 Jet Stream View 41.5929 March 2019820August Blossom 46.90 4 October 1991 820 Fast Remark 46.7630 June 2000845 Metric Tiger 47.75 21 July 2002845 Recovery Mission47.73 23 May 2003 845 Marshalls Trigger47.6830 December 2004 845 Pretty Fantasy 47.5716 December 2007 525 HMoreen Flamingo 30.08 6 July 1977 525 HNo Promises29.92 3 July 1987525 HSwiss Champ29.18 29 April 2002
Former competitions Cox Cup
References