Newbridge Greyhound Stadium


Newbridge Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located northwest of Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.
Racing takes place every Friday and Saturday evening and the facilities include the grandstand Masters Restaurant and Barkers Bar which offers ample seating.
Race distances are 325, 525, 575 and 600 yards and the feature competition at the track is the Cox Cup.

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. 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.
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 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.

Competitions

Current
YardsGreyhoundTimeDateNotes
325Junior Jet 17.2716.06.2017
525Ballymac Anton 28.1807.09.2018Texacloth Juvenile Derby semi final
550Redwood Mick29.5030.05.2014
575Wilcos Mate 31.1214.07.2006
600Tyrur Chris 32.4011.06.2010
750Bricken Maley 41.8207.06.2013
845Rough Quest 47.3830.10.2009
525 HFrightened Pig 29.1409.07.2004

Former
YardsGreyhoundTimeDateNotes
300 Clane Mint16.5011.06.1976
300 Joannes Treasure16.4431.08.1990
300 Rockspring Peer16.2005.05.2000
325 Cool Gamble17.3817.01.2003
325 Kafima17.3714.10.2005
325 Yes Boss17.35 08.11.2009
525 Shamrock Point29.0810.1974
525 Some Skinomage29.0206.06.1977
525 Wise Band29.0221.06.1985
525 Airmount Grand28.86Sep 1988
525 Ardfert Mick28.6822.06.1991 Cox Cup Heats
525 Judicial Pride28.5814.06.1999
525 Velvet Commander28.5825.10.2003
525 Droopys Stacey28.5328.10.2005
525 Spell Bound28.4231.10.2003
525 Hillcroft Josie28.3919.10.2007
525Maireads Fantasy 28.2323.10.2009Newbridge Oaks 2nd round
550 Track Whisper30.4617.07.1987
550 Carlow Country30.1823.09.1988
550 Droopys Mossie29.9603.07.1994
550 Premier County29.9330.11.2001
550 Ten Men29.8111.07.2003
550 Simply Vintage29.7111.07.2003
550 Top Boe29.6202.07.2004 Cox Cup second round
550 Opinion29.5604.06.2010 Cox Cup semi-finals
550 Tyrur Bucko29.5111.06.2010 Cox Cup Final
550 Redwood Mick29.5030.05.2014 Cox Cup semi-finals
575 The Other Master32.5602.08.2002
575 Sonic Pearl32.4205.08.2002
575 Pickwick Song31.8709.08.2002
575 Curryhills Wade31.5016.08.2002
575 Cabbage White31.2623.08.2002
575 Awesome Impact31.2426.05.2003
600 Red Smoke33.3409.04.1976
600 Synone Crest32.9724.07.1987
600 Lisk Raven32.9004.09.1989
600 Guess Twice32.8628.06.1991
600 Charlie Bird32.7219.07.2002
600 Walking Sunday32.7119.07.2002
600 Pennys Sunstar32.6906.09.2008
600 Dangerous Man32.6404.09.2009
750 Loch Bo Anchor42.3403.07.1994
750 Me Rocket42.1802.06.2003
750 Beaming Surprise41.9816.01.2004
750 Hulkster41.8505.11.2005
820August Blossom46.9004.10.1991
820Fast Remark 46.7630.06.2000
845 Metric Tiger47.7521.07.2002
845 Recovery Mission47.7323.05.2003
845 Marshalls Trigger47.6830.12.2004
845 Pretty Fantasy47.5716.12.2007
525 H Moreen Flamingo30.0806.07.1977
525 H No Promises29.9203.07.1987
525 H Swiss Champ29.1829.04.2002