Derry Greyhound Stadium


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 oversee 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 were 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 however 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
YardsGreyhoundTimeDateNotes
300Rosshill Rocket16.5119 April 2018
500Central Boss27.5128 May 2018
525Central Boss28.786 August 2018

Old track
YardsGreyhoundTimeDateNotes
300 Currowgariff Border16.83 1950
300 Black Velvet16.551978
300 Bright Oliver16.4519.10.1979
300 Pipers Gold16.4322.09.1989
300 Drumragh Mulder16.5108.09.2000
300Cobra16.4617 August 2009
400 Beefeater28.77 2002
440 True Record25.561950
440 Local Sweep25.081970
440 High Footstick25.051978
440Street Cat24.9413 July 1981
500 Sandy Lee28.201970
500 Drumahisky Champ 1978
500 Glackmore Island27.981978
500 Seaway Joe27.9609.12.1983
500 Central Supreme27.8524.04.1990
500 Tullymurry Toff 27.8516.03.2001
500 Kinrush27.8412.07.2002
500 Cavies Cruncher27.7831.10.2003
500Eden Brett27.6422 September 2008
525 Hale Farloe30.641950
525 Prisona Nuath29.561978
525 Glenroe Champ29.541979
525 Drumahisky Champ29.511980
525 Westpark City29.0415.06.1984
525Lignamonagh Bray28.9011 July 2003
600 Leck Venture34.201980
600 Farloe Hall34.0224.02.1985
600 Coleraine Jazz34.0210.05.1985
600 Pusher Bird33.9929.07.1988
600 Winners Flag33.9223.10.1992
600 Homefield King33.922002
600 Elm Lass33.8809.05.2003
600Star Model33.7924 November 2003
720 Atomic Rebel40.9601.04.1948
720 Miss Jahousky40.2016.08.1985
720 Farloe Frown41.0116.07.2001
720Farloe Tico40.4212 June 2008
920Tullys Passion53.9631 May 2007