Boyne Valley Greyhound Stadium was a greyhound racing stadium on Limekiln Hill, East of the Trim Road in Navan, County Meath.
History The stadium was constructed by the Boyne Valley Greyhound Racing Co. Ltd. in early 1950. The race distances were 350, 525, 550 and 600 yards and racing was planned for Wednesday and Thursday evenings. ICC steward Frank Loughran was the first manager.
The opening night at the Boyne Valley Greyhound Stadium was on 21 June 1950. The track was opened by Senator P. Fitzsimons, Chairman of Meath Co. and by the director Johnny Cantwell. The track had a large 500 yard circuit circumference and there were seven races won by Flashlight Freddie, Just a Dog, Trial Times, Baytown Apple, Sky Goal, Few Words and Silver Abbey.
In 1960 the track first ran the Cesarewitch which gained classic status. Winners of the competition included Yanka Boy and Postal Vote before Ritas Choice broke the track record in the final in 1973. The event continued to produce significant winners including Itsachampion, Ballybeg Prim and Rahan Ship.
In 1962, a totalisator was installed and five years later a new viewing area and bar was constructed. Founding Director Johnny Cantwell died in 1974 and following his death the company passed to his sons John and William.
The track was suspended in 1983 by the Bord na gCon after a failure to pay all prize money owed, but despite this setback the track soon returned to action and the Cesarewitch remained one of Ireland's major events. Roan Hurricane achieved a double in 1995 and then Bonus Prince completed a treble in 1998.
Paddy Barry was the Manager of the Navan Track from 1984-1996.
Closure Developers bought the track in 1998 for the relatively small figure of £1 million and although the track closed in 1999 it took until 2009 for the site to be developed into a new Lidl supermarket.
Competitions Cesarewitch
Track records Yards Greyhound Time Date Notes350 Oagham Boreen 19.15 1 September 1954 350 Never So Gay 19.04 9 October 1975 350 Princes Pal 18.76 23 July 1987 National Record525 Little Kim 29.17 18 May 1966 525 Trip To Arran 29.10 25 September 1986 550 Sarsfield Castle31.20 17 October 1951550 Five Arrow 31.20 31 October 1956550 Rolling Penny 31.15 1970550 Murphys Arkle 30.72 2 August 1973550 Hold Your Coole 30.40 30 July 1987550 Gourmet Manor 30.38 1988550 Lispopple Story 30.26 29 July 1989600Fleadh Music 33.42 August 1963Cesarewitch Heats600Brookeville Sputnik33.346 September 1963Cesarewitch semi final600 Butterfly Billy 33.26 1970600 Postal Vote 33.08 3 September 1970600 Ritas Choice 33.04 13 September 1973Cesarewitch final600 Choice Model 32.92 19 August 1982 National Record600 Ratify 32.68 10 June 1993Cesarewitch final760 Ratify 43.44 15 August 1993850 Tiny Tolcas 48.88 23 July 1987
References