Derry Greyhound Stadium also known as the Brandywell Greyhound Track 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 because they do not fall within the jurisdiction of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Instead, the Bord na gCon (the Irish Greyhound Board) oversees proceedings.
The track in Derry raced for the first time on 29 July 1932 under the leadership of Hugh Duffy. 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 was responsible for ensuring that racing continued over the years, even during the period from 1971 until 1985 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. There was a dispute between Derry FC and the greyhound management in 1968 when the weekly rent was increased from £12-6 to £20 per week.
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.
New track The greyhound race track closed on Saturday 3 December 2016. The stadium was demolished, with plans announced for a new stadium and a stand-alone greyhound track. The new stand-alone greyhound track was part of the 2018 £7m development for a new state-of-the-art stadium. The facility, funded by Derry City and Strabane District Council in conjunction with the Executive Office, included the track, which was opened for trials by the Brandywell Greyhound Racing Company on 9 February 2018. Racing continues every Monday evening.
Track records New track (current)
Yards Greyhound Time Date Notes300 Sniper Ria 16.40 28 March 2022500 Quill Minstral 27.19 25 October 2021525 Canada Goose 28.59 27 September 2021745 Townsend Carol 42.05 20 January 2020 New track (former) Yards Greyhound Time Date Notes300 Rosshill Rocket 16.51 19 April 2018300 Caughtbysurprise 16.45 14 January 2019300 Cromac Willow 16.45 28 September 2020500 Central Boss 27.51 28 May 2018500 Nemesis 27.50 21 September 2020500 Manalishi Chief 27.45 22 June 2021525 Central Boss 28.78 6 August 2018 Old track Yards Greyhound Time Date Notes300 Currowgariff Border 16.83 1950300 Black Velvet 16.55 1978300 Bright Oliver 16.45 19 October 1979 300 Pipers Gold 16.43 22 September 1989 300 Drumragh Mulder 16.51 8 September 2000 300Cobra 16.46 17 August 2009400 Beefeater 28.77 2002440 True Record 25.56 1950440 Local Sweep 25.08 1970440 High Footstick 25.05 1978440Street Cat 24.94 13 July 1981500 Sandy Lee 28.20 1970500 Drumahisky Champ 1978 500 Glackmore Island 27.98 1978500 Seaway Joe 27.96 9 December 1983 500 Central Supreme 27.85 24 April 1990 500 Tullymurry Toff 27.85 16 March 2001 500 Kinrush 27.84 12 July 2002 500 Cavies Cruncher27.78 31 October 2003500Eden Brett 27.64 22 September 2008525 Hale Farloe 30.64 1950525 Prisona Nuath 29.56 1978525 Glenroe Champ 29.54 1979525 Drumahisky Champ 29.51 1980525 Westpark City 29.04 15 June 1984525Lignamonagh Bray 28.90 11 July 2003600 Leck Venture 34.20 1980600 Farloe Hall 34.02 24 February 1985 600 Coleraine Jazz 34.02 10 May 1985 600 Pusher Bird 33.99 29 July 1988 600 Winners Flag 33.92 23 October 1992 600 Homefield King 33.92 2002600 Elm Lass 33.88 9 May 2003 600Star Model 33.79 24 November 2003720 Atomic Rebel 40.96 1 April 1948 720 Miss Jahousky 40.20 16 August 1985720 Farloe Frown 41.01 16 July 2001 720Farloe Tico 40.42 12 June 2008920Tullys Passion 53.96 31 May 2007
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