Greyhound Racing

[Greenbeard]

To be banned in Scotland?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd02de0g288o
Very saddened to read this - not just the proposed ban but also that there has been only one track operating in Scotland for some time.
Many fond memories of going to Powderhall as a kid with my old man, often sneaking in free for the last couple of races but disowning my dad as soon as we got in due to his tendency to rummage in the bins for a discarded programme. Then the warm rolls from the back door of the bakers as we walked back to the Bananie Flats.
Some time in the future children will not be allowed to run anywhere because of the risk of injury.
PS I couldn't find a thread on greyhound racing - maybe indicative of the sport's demise - but if there is one, feel free to combine.

[He's here!]

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To be banned in Scotland?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd02de0g288o
Very saddened to read this - not just the proposed ban but also that there has been only one track operating in Scotland for some time.
Many fond memories of going to Powderhall as a kid with my old man, often sneaking in free for the last couple of races but disowning my dad as soon as we got in due to his tendency to rummage in the bins for a discarded programme. Then the warm rolls from the back door of the bakers as we walked back to the Bananie Flats.
Some time in the future children will not be allowed to run anywhere because of the risk of injury.
PS I couldn't find a thread on greyhound racing - maybe indicative of the sport's demise - but if there is one, feel free to combine.

There was supposed to be a new, modern stadium built to replace the old Wallyford track. Don't know the ins and outs but it ran into trouble and the framework for the stand stood unfinished for a number of years. Think it was finally scrapped.

I'm not sure if the decline is especially marked in Scotland because I know there's a new track opening this year at Wolverhampton.

[Pretty Boy]

I loved a night at the dugs. Never made it to Powderhall as it was gone before I was of age but regularly travelled through to Shawfield.

I think part of the demise is the rise in bookies focusing on gaming more than their sportsbooks now. Greyhound racing was often used to fill the time between horse races and with the FOBTs, the online slots, the virtual racing all added to the ability to bet on everything and anything in sports all over the world now means there just isn't the same need for the bookies to fund it. There was always the persistent rumours that the races, particularly at the lower grades, weren't always totally legit and that has probably had an impact as well. The demise of the infrastructure probably didn't help either. Shawfield was a dump in latter years, it never particularly bothered me but it was hardly likely to attract a new clientele. I visited Towcester once and the facilities there were night and day; if more tracks were like that then who knows but to an outsider a lot of tracks probably feel vaguely threatening.

Finally the welfare issue is relevant. I knew loads of trainers who loved their dogs and took great care of them, made sure they were treated when injured and then rehomed them properly when their career was done. Conversely I knew plenty who didn't and in the modern world of mass information it's not as easy to hide that now. I'd certainly argue it wasn't close to a majority but it's a sport that really needed to be as squeaky clean as you can be and it simply wasn't and arguably still isn't.

I'll be sad to see it go but the demise feels terminal now.

[He's here!]

The Pogues song White City is about the demolition of the London greyhound track of that name and its impact. Wonderful lyrics, including:

Oh, the torn ticket stubs
From a hundred thousand mugs
Are washed away like dead dreams in the rain
Now the car park's going up
And they're pulling down the pubs
And it's just another bloody rainy day

[Chuck Rhoades]

My Grandad and Uncle were successful racing Greyhound breeders for over a decade (Questhouse Kennels). They gave it up for a multitude of reasons, some family related but also due to the change of the sport. There were unfortunately, particularly in Ireland, breeders/trainers who didn’t have their greyhounds’ welfare at interest. Ex-racers abandoned, Pups injected with drugs, race fixing et al. They got fed up of it and threw in the towel.

Were there injuries in races? Sure, just like in every professional sport not involving animals. Where is the line drawn - no kids playing football because they could break their leg?

My Grandad and Uncle absolutely loved every Pup they bred and dozens of dogs they homed after racing. And I know at points miss doing what they did.

[Bridge hibs]

Used to go to the dugs at Powderhall many years back, a couple of bets, a pint and a plate o chips. I remember when they got rid of the Wallyford track and attempted to build a fancy dancy one close to the former track but ended up with only a rusting steel frame for a stand that appeared to lie dormant for years as never got finished.

[Hibspur]

What became of Powderhall? I'm guessing residential development?

Edinburgh Monarchs used to race there too in the days when speedway in Edinburgh had a bigger following.

[Pretty Boy]

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What became of Powderhall? I'm guessing residential development?

Edinburgh Monarchs used to race there too in the days when speedway in Edinburgh had a bigger following.

Aye been flats for a long while now, must be close to a couple of decades, if not longer.

My work was just round the corner. We were one of only a handful of industrial units left in an area that used to be full of them. We moved out at the start of last year and there are student flats in situ now.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

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What became of Powderhall? I'm guessing residential development?

Edinburgh Monarchs used to race there too in the days when speedway in Edinburgh had a bigger following.

I went to the Speedway for years in my youth then eventually found better things to do with my Friday nights.

[He's here!]

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I went to the Speedway for years in my youth then eventually found better things to do with my Friday nights.

As well as the speedway and the dogs, I know Powderhall used to host quite prestigious athletics events (the New Year Sprint was held there for many years) plus I think there was football played there too.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

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As well as the speedway and the dogs, I know Powderhall used to host quite prestigious athletics events (the New Year Sprint was held there for many years) plus I think there was football played there too.

I think St. Bernards played there before moving to Logie Green.

[Pretty Boy]

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As well as the speedway and the dogs, I know Powderhall used to host quite prestigious athletics events (the New Year Sprint was held there for many years) plus I think there was football played there too.

New Years Sprint is held at Musselburgh racecourse now. Still a big accolade for local sprinters.

[He's here!]

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New Years Sprint is held at Musselburgh racecourse now. Still a big accolade for local sprinters.

Former Hibs player George McNeill won it one year, tho possibly after it had moved to Meadowbank. Used to be a professional event I think and McNeill wasn't allowed to run amateur races having been a pro footballer.

[Pretty Boy]

In more hopeful news for the sport I see work has started at pace on a new track inside the horse racing circuit at Wolverhampton. Company that owns Perry Barr (ARC) also own Wolves and are transferring the operation there. New state of the art kennel block already in place and dual fixtures a possibility.