Plumpton (greyhound racing)

☆ Save On Wikipedia ↗
Greyhound racing in Australia
Harold Park Paceway
Start date28 May 1927
Epping Racecourse
(later known as Harold Park)[1]

Greyhound racing in Australia is a sport and gambling activity. Australia is one of several countries with a greyhound racing industry.[2] The industry laws are governed by the State Government but the keeping of greyhounds is governed by the Local Authority.[3]

History

In 1927 Frederick 'Judge' Swindell established the Greyhound Coursing Association and the first meeting was held using a "tin hare" (mechanical lure) at Epping Racecourse (Harold Park) on 28 May 1927. From 1928 until 1931 betting was banned. Harold Park continued to be the only venue to have a licence until July 1938 when the government granted a second licence (consisting of 26 fixtures) for Wentworth Park.[4] Although the licence was granted in July 1938 it was not until Saturday 28 October 1939 that the new track opened. The opening had been delayed due to the construction of the track taking longer than expected.[5]

In 1939 the NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association was founded. In 1979, live hare coursing and other similar activities, including live baiting, was banned in NSW under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and in 1985 Wentworth Park became the racing headquarters of NSW.

2015 live baiting scandal

In February 2015, the industry came under severe scrutiny following the airing of the ABC program Four Corners.[6] A series of media reports detailed the use of live bait animals in the training of racing greyhounds.[7] In June 2016, former High Court Justice Michael McHugh conducted a Special Commission of Inquiry in New South Wales, where key findings of the report included a high death rate with uncompetitive greyhounds being euthanised over a twelve year period and the under-reporting of greyhound deaths and injuries.[8] Despite self-regulatory efforts to address the issue of live baiting and other animal welfare issues,[9] the revelations led to suspensions, inquiries, condemnation of the practice and the banning of greyhound racing in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory from 1 July 2017,[10][11][12] following the passage of legislation.[13][14] However the ban was repealed by Mike Baird on 11 October 2016.[15] The appointment of the NSW Greyhound Reform Panel made 122 recommendations to the NSW government, of which 121 were adopted.[16] Victoria commissioned the Perna Report,[17] while Queensland commissioned the MacSporran report.[18] As part of the NSW government recommendations, it created GWIC (Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission), which is a taxpayer funded, non-industry regulator of the greyhound racing industry.

Regulation

Greyhound racing in Australia is regulated at the state and territory level. Each jurisdiction establishes a statutory controlling authority responsible for licensing, rule-making, integrity oversight and animal welfare standards under its respective racing legislation.[19][20][21]

Although regulatory responsibility is decentralised, the rules of racing are largely harmonised nationally. The Australian Greyhound Racing Rules are maintained by Greyhounds Australasia, the peak body representing the state and territory controlling authorities, and are adopted by each jurisdiction as part of its regulatory framework.[22]

State and territory authorities exercise enforcement powers through stewards and integrity officials, including the conduct of inquiries, disciplinary proceedings and the imposition of penalties for breaches of the rules or relevant legislation.[19][20][21]

By jurisdiction

Australian Capital Territory

There is currently no racing in the ACT following a territory ban in 2018. The Canberra Greyhound Racing Club (CGRC) is still active using their Symonston track as a training facility but the club races at Goulburn in New South Wales.[23]

New South Wales

In 2009, the government formed a new legislation, known as the Greyhound Racing Act 2009 which made provisions in regards to the control and regulation of the industry and the Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) then became responsible for the regulatory affairs of the sport in addition to the commercial aspects.[24]

The NSW Greyhound Welfare Code of Practice came into effect on 1 January 2021, with 58 code practice standards (out of 124 in total) relating to retired greyhounds. The code is the benchmark for expected conduct and behaviour and has an Enforcement Protocol.[25]

In 2022, Lismore was forced to close following flooding and an inability to rebuild the track to meet GRNSW's minimum standards.[26]

Venues

Greyhound racing in New South Wales is conducted at metropolitan and regional venues across the state.

Northern Territory

Greyhound racing in the Northern Territory (NT) is regulated by Licensing NT on behalf of the NT Racing Commission.[27]

The NT has one active greyhound racing venue, known as Winnellie Park. The track is operated by the Darwin Greyhound Association (DGA), which is the Territory’s only greyhound racing club. Most racing greyhounds in the NT are trained and kennelled directly at the Winnellie Park racetrack, within view of DGA staff and other residing trainers. [28]

Queensland

Greyhound racing in Queensland is administered by Racing Queensland, the statutory control body for the code in the state. Racing Queensland is responsible for the management, development and promotion of greyhound racing, including the licensing of clubs and venues and the making of rules of racing. Integrity and animal welfare oversight are carried out independently by the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission.

Venues

Racing is conducted at licensed venues in south-east and regional Queensland, with tracks at Bundaberg, Capalaba, Ipswich, Rockhampton and Townsville.

South Australia

Greyhound racing in South Australia is conducted under the control of Greyhound Racing South Australia (GRSA), the industry body responsible for the administration, operation and promotion of the sport. South Australia does not have a separate statutory integrity commission.

Venues

There are four active tracks in South Australia.[29]

Tasmania

Tasracing, established in November 2008, is responsible for the strategic direction and funding of the industry.[30] On 1 February 2025, the Office of Racing Integrity (ORI) was dissolved and replaced by a split-regulatory model under the Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024. Integrity oversight is now managed by the independent Tasmanian Racing Integrity Commissioner, while operational integrity is handled by the Tasracing Integrity Unit.[31]

Following the 2025 Tasmanian state election, Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced in August 2025 the phase out of all greyhound racing in the state by 30 June 2029.[32][33]

Venues

There are three active tracks in Tasmania.

Victoria

Greyhound racing in Victoria is regulated and administered by Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV). GRV is responsible for licensing, rule enforcement, integrity functions and animal welfare administration under Victoria’s racing framework.

Venues

Racing is conducted at metropolitan and regional venues across the state.

Western Australia

Cannington Greyhounds

In 1981, the Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association (WAGRA) was established under the Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association Act. Cannington Greyhounds was the first track in Western Australia, opening in 1974 and was consequently transferred to the WAGRA. This was later followed by the merger of the Mandurah Greyhound Racing Association.[34][35][36]

Venues

There are three active tracks in Western Australia.

Major races

Major races in Australian greyhound racing are typically those classified as Group 1 events, the highest tier of competition within the sport's grading system, which represents the pinnacle of greyhound racing in the country.[37] Notable races include the Phoenix, the Million Dollar Chase, and the Melbourne Cup.

Adoption

Many adoption programs have been set up throughout Australia. There are industry programs and non-industry rescue groups (which are usually charities).[38] Greyhounds are available for adoption in most parts of Australia.[39] The industry's Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) operates in most states but does not re-home all ex-racing greyhounds. In 2018, The New Daily newspaper reported 257 greyhounds (38%) failed the NSW rehoming test.[40]

Some states and territories require muzzling of greyhounds.[41] Both RSPCA Australia and the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) recommend against muzzles for companion animal greyhounds.[42] NSW, Victoria and the ACT have removed the requirement to muzzle greyhounds in public. In NSW, the Greenhounds program assesses greyhounds for exemption from mandatory muzzling in designated off-leash dog areas, reporting pass rates of more than 90%.[43]

Criticism

In 2013, ABC News revealed that some greyhounds were given to veterinary surgeons as blood donors before being euthanised.[44][45] In 2015, following revelations of animal cruelty and concerns about dog wastage in the greyhound racing industry, the Australian Veterinary Association called for all greyhounds bred for racing to be registered with an "independent authority to protect the dogs' welfare".[46] In 2016, 179 trainers were charged with illegal exports to Macau, China, a practice that was banned in 2013.[47][48] This led to Qantas announcing they would no longer transport ex-racers.[49]

In Australian slang, the term Dapto dog is rhyming slang for wog, a pejorative for a person of Mediterranean background,[50] active in greyhound racing in Dapto in the 1950s as represented on stage by the Griffin Theatre Company with the 2015 production of Dapto Chaser.[51] Dapto was also once home to Australia's largest greyhound pup auctions in Australia.[52]

Notable Australian owners of racing greyhounds include Tony Lockett,[52] Tim Cahill,[53] and Ricky Ponting.[54]

References

  1. "From the Archives: When Harold Park went to the dogs". Sydney Morning Herald. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  2. "Greyhound racing". Animals Australia. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  3. Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, pages 433-451. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
  4. "Licence for N.C.A." Maitland Mercury. No. 20, 988. New South Wales, Australia. 21 July 1938. p. 9. Retrieved 24 February 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Wentworth Park's Opening". The Sun. No. 9304. New South Wales, Australia. 28 October 1939. p. 7. Retrieved 25 February 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "then and Now". GRSNW.
  7. Meldrum-Hanna, Caro; Clark, Sam (18 February 2015). "Making a Killing". Four Corners. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  8. "Special Commission of Inquiry into the Greyhound Racing Industry in New South Wales" (PDF). nsw.gov.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2016.
  9. "Then and Now: 12 Months of Reform" (PDF). Greyhound Racing NSW. February 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  10. "Greyhound racing to be banned in New South Wales, Baird Government announces". ABC News. Australia. 7 July 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  11. Roots, Chris (18 February 2015). "Greyhound racing live baiting revelations should be a turning point for industry, says new chief executive". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  12. "NSW Premier Mike Baird announces ban on greyhound racing after Special Commission of Inquiry". Sydney Morning Herald. 7 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  13. Fogarty, Siobhan (24 August 2016). "Greyhound racing ban: Nationals MPs cross floor as bill passes Parliament". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  14. Nicholls, Sean (24 August 2016). "Greyhound racing banned after bill passes NSW parliament". Sydney Morning Herald. Australia. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  15. "New South Wales reverses greyhound racing ban". BBC News. 11 October 2016.
  16. "Panel Report" (PDF). Greyhound Industry Reform Panel. 14 November 2023.
  17. "Perna Report". Greyhound Racing Victoria.
  18. "MacSporran Report". Queensland Racing Integrity Commission.
  19. "Racing Act 1958". Victorian Legislation. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
  20. "Greyhound Racing Act 2017". NSW Legislation. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
  21. "Racing Integrity Act 2016". Queensland Legislation. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
  22. Greyhounds Australasia (10 October 2023). Response to Supplementary Questions on Notice (Report). Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee.
  23. "NSW government considering greyhound training track in Queanbeyan". Sydney Morning Herald. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  24. "New South Wales Greyhound Racing". Australian Racing Greyhound. 17 February 2017.
  25. "NSW Greyhound Welfare Code of Practice". Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  26. "Greyhound racing heartland devastated by closure of flood-affected Lismore track". ABC News. ABC. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  27. "Greyhound racing". Northern Territory Government. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  28. Hutton McCarthy (20 July 2021). Investigation into the Darwin Greyhound Association Final Report (PDF) (Report). Northern Territory Racing Commission. p. 4. Retrieved 31 March 2026.
  29. "The Dogs | GRSA | Greyhound Racing News, Form, Results & Replays". sa.thedogs.com.au. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  30. "Racing Information - Tasracing". Tasracing. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  31. Office of the Tasmanian Racing Integrity Commissioner (5 November 2025). Annual Report 2024–25 (PDF) (Report). Tasmanian Government. p. 4. Retrieved 31 March 2026.
  32. Rockliff, Jeremy (10 August 2025). "Greyhound Racing Transition".
  33. "Tasmania to phase out greyhound racing, following bans in New Zealand and ACT". ABC Australia. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  34. "Greyhound Racing in WA". Racing & Wagering Western Australia.
  35. Ernst, Katherine (11 September 2015). "Greyhound racing tracks in Australia". Australian Greyhound Racing. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  36. "Home". Greyhounds WA. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  37. "Greyhound Racing Calendar". Racenet. Racing Internet Services Pty Ltd. Retrieved 31 March 2026.
  38. "Your guide to adopting or fostering a greyhound". www.animalsaustralia.org. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  39. "Every Greyhound - Looking for a greyhound to adopt?". Every Greyhound. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  40. "Third of retired greyhounds could be put down for failing rehoming test". The New Daily. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  41. "Laws and Advocacy". greyhoundequality.org. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  42. "Should pet greyhounds have to wear muzzles? – RSPCA Knowledgebase". Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  43. "FAQ's". Greenhounds.com.au. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  44. Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Sean (7 November 2013). "Unwanted greyhounds drained of blood then euthanised". ABC News. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  45. "Greyhound racing industry reveals casualty figures in SA". ABC News. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  46. "Greyhound racing industry: Vet Association calls for dogs to be registered with independent authority to protect them". ABC News. 19 April 2015.
  47. "179 greyhound trainers charged over unauthorised exports". ABC News. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  48. Meldrum-Hanna, Caro; Clark, Sam (9 December 2015). "'Slow' Australian greyhounds being put on 'death row' in Asia". ABC News. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  49. "Qantas ceases greyhound exports to Asia following damning report". ABC News. 12 December 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  50. "Dapto dog". Australian slang: Slang Dictionary. 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  51. Blake, Elissa (2 July 2015). "Griffin Theatre's Dapto Chaser goes to the dogs". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  52. Cockington, James (20 June 2012). "This is no slumdog". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  53. "Tim Cahill could win richest greyhound race". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 April 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  54. "Ricky Ponting goes quiet on greyhound defence". Financial Review. Australia. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.