Greyhound racing in Australia
Greyhound racing in Australia is a sport and gambling activity. Australia is one of several countries with a greyhound racing industry. The industry laws are governed by the State Government but the keeping of greyhounds is governed by the Local Authority.
Regulation
Each Australian state and territory has a greyhound racing body that regulates the racing, training and animal welfare of greyhounds in that state or territory. Greyhound Racing New South Wales and Greyhound Racing Victoria are the two largest authorities, governing over 40 racetracks. The Queensland Greyhound Racing Authority, the Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association, Tasracing, Greyhound Racing South Australia and the Northern Territory Racing Authority all contribute to running and monitoring of greyhound racing and animal welfare of greyhounds in Australia.Australian Capital Territory
There is currently no racing in the ACT following a territory ban in 2018. The Canberra Greyhound Racing Club is still active using their Symonston track as a training facility but the club races at Goulburn in New South Wales.Venues
| Name of club/track | Location | Opening / Closing |
| Canberra Greyhound Racing Club | Narrabundah Lane, Symonston, Canberra | 1979–2018 |
New South Wales
In 1927 Frederick 'Judge' Swindell established the Greyhound Coursing Association and the first meeting was held using a 'tin hare' at Epping Racecourse 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 for Wentworth Park. 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.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. 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 then became responsible for the regulatory affairs of the sport in addition to the commercial aspects.
In February 2015, the industry came under severe scrutiny following the airing of the ABC program Four Corners. A series of media reports called the Australian greyhound racing live baiting scandal detailed the use of live bait animals in the training of racing greyhounds. In June 2016, Australian former High Court judge Michael McHugh conducted a Special Commission of Inquiry for the Australian state of New South Wales where key findings in 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. Despite self-regulatory efforts to address the issue of live baiting and other animal welfare issues, the investigation 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, following the passage of legislation. However the ban was repealed by Mike Baird on 11 October 2016. The appointment of the NSW Greyhound Reform Panel made 122 recommendations to the NSW government, of which 121 were adopted. Victoria commissioned the Perna Report and Queensland the MacSporran report. As part of the NSW government recommendations, it created GWIC, which is a taxpayer funded, non-industry regulator of the greyhound racing industry.
The NSW Greyhound Welfare Code of Practice came into effect on 1 January 2021, with 58 code practice standards relating to retired greyhounds. The code is the benchmark for expected conduct and behaviour and has an Enforcement Protocol. In 2022, Lismore was forced to close following flooding and the inability to widen its track as per the code of practice.
Venues
There are 27 current venues in New South Wales of which 16 are Totalisator Agency Board operated. Active tracks are highlighted in blue.
| Name of club/track | Location | Opening / Closing |
| Albury Coursing Club | Albury Racecourse, Albury | 1935–2003 |
| Appin Way Straight | Appin Road, Appin | 1975–2013 |
| Armidale Greyhound Racing Club | Barnet Street, Armidale | 1934–2018 |
| Bathurst Greyhounds | Kennerson Park, Upfold Street, Bathurst | 30 November 1935-2022 |
| Beaumont Park Greyhound Raceway | Beaumont Park, Beaumont/Darling Street Newcastle | 1953–1997 |
| Broken Hill Greyhound Racing Club | Lane/Noonan Street, Broken Hill | opened 28 March 1949 |
| Bulli Greyhounds + | Bulli Showground, Grevillea Park Road, Bulli | opened 4 November 1950 |
| Casino Greyhound Racing Club + | Queen Elizabeth Park, Hartley Street, Casino | opened 19 March 1936 |
| Cessnock Greyhound Club | Cessnock Showgrounds, Mount View Road, Cessnock | 1927–2006 |
| Coonabarabran Greyhound Racing Club | Chappell Avenue, Coonabarabran | c.1970 |
| Coonamble Greyhound Club | Showgrounds, 160-180 Castlereagh Street, Coonamble | opened 1933? |
| Cootamundra Greyhound Club | Fisher Park, Cootamundra | 1930s?–1980s? |
| Cowra Greyhound Club | West Cowra Recreation Ground, Young Road, Cowra | |
| Dapto + | Greyhound Racing NSW, 89 Princes Highway, Dapto | opened 25 February 1937 |
| Dubbo Greyhound Racing Club + | Dawson Park, Wheelers Lane, Dubbo | opened 23 March 1974 |
| Forbes and District Greyhound Racing Club | Forester Street, Forbes | 1970s–2012 |
| Gosford Showground + | Showground Road, Gosford | opened 18 February 1936 |
| Griffith Coursing Club | 1-25 Coolah Street, Riverina, Griffith | 1960s–1990s |
| Goulburn Greyhound Racing Club + | 49 Braidwood Road, Goulburn | opened 20 October 1934 |
| Grafton Greyhound Racing Club + | 70 Cranworth Street, Grafton | opened 1 April 1933 |
| Gunnedah Greyhounds + | Talibah/Finch Street, Gunnedah | opened 24 March 1934 |
| Harold Park | Ross Street, Forest Lodge | 1927–1987 |
| Kempsey Forth Street | Kempsey Sports Ground, Forth Street, Kempsey | 1934–1942 |
| - | - | |
| Kempsey MacLeay Greyhound Racing Club | Raceway, East Street, off Angus McNeil Cres, Kempsey | opened 1960s? |
| Lismore Greyhounds | Ladbrokes Park, Coleman's Point, 1 Molesworth Street, Lismore | 1935–2022 |
| Lithgow Greyhound Racing Club | 1 Union Street, Lithgow | opened 14 April 1928 |
| Maitland Greyhounds + | Maitland Showground, Blomfield Street, Maitland | opened 12 November 1927 |
| Moree Greyhound Racing Club | Boggabilla/Mungindi Road, Moree | 1963–2012 |
| Moree Taylor Oval | Balo Street, Moree | 1937–1963 |
| Moss Vale Greyhound Racing Club | Showgrounds, Illawarra Highway, Moss Vale | 1935–2006? |
| Mudgee Greyhound Racing Club | Mudgee Racecourse, Ulan Road, Mudgee | ?–2011 |
| Muswellbrook Greyhound Racing Club | Greyhound Park, Sydney Street, Muswellbrook | opened 17 December 1955 |
| Muswellbrook Showgrounds | Rutherford Road, Muswellbrook | 1935–1955 |
| Narrabri | Collins Park, Narrabri | 1935-? |
| North Wagga Sportsground | North Wagga Wagga | 1947-c.1970 |
| Nowra + | Shoalhaven Racing Complex, Albatross Road, Nowra | opened 30 January 1976 |
| Orange Greyhound Racing Club | Wade Park, Peisley/ Moulder Street, Orange | 1936–2005 |
| Potts Park Greyhound Social Club | 140 Rookwood Road, Yagoona | opened c.1970 |
| Queanbeyan Showground | Glebe Avenue, Queanbeyan | 1933–1990s |
| Richmond Race Club + | 312 Londonderry Road, Richmond | opened October 1955 |
| Singleton | Singleton Showground, Church Street, Singleton | 1932–2000 |
| Tamworth Greyhound Racing Club | 1 Gunnedah Road, Tamworth | opened 19 May 1934 |
| Taree Greyhound Racing Club + | Kanangra Drive, Taree | opened 1960s |
| Temora Greyhound Racing Club + | Gallipoli Street, Temora | opened 1957 |
| The Gardens Greyhound Club + | 104 Sandgate Road, Birmingham Gardens | opened 2014 |
| Tweed Heads Coursing Club | Border Park Raceway, Binya Avenue, Tweed Heads | 1964–2016 |
| Wagga Cricket Ground | Kincaid Street, Wagga Wagga | 1935–1945 |
| Wagga & District Greyhound Club + | Urana Street, Wagga Wagga | opened c.1970s |
| Wauchoupe | Beechwood Road, Wauchope | opened 3 July 1971 |
| Wentworth Park + | Wentworth Park Road, Ultimo | opened 28 October 1939 |
| Wollongong Showground | Wollongong | 1934–1984 |
| Wyong Straight | Wyong Racecourse, Howarth Street, Wyong | 1935–1998 |
| Young & District Greyhound Racing Club | Alfred Oval, Lachlan Street, Young | opened 21 November 1953 |
+ TAB operated
Northern Territory
Greyhound racing in the Northern Territory is regulated by Licensing NT on behalf of the NT Racing Commission There is one active track in the NT.Venues
| Name of club/track | Location | Opening / Closing |
| Winnellie Park | 15 Hook Road, Winnellie, Darwin | opened 1960s |
Queensland
There are six current venues in Queensland.Venues
| Name of club/track | Location | Opening / Closing |
| Albion Park Raceway | Amy Street, Albion | opened 11 February 1993 |
| Ayr | Cunningham Street, Ayr | ?–2003? |
| Beenleigh Greyhound Race Club | Beenleigh Showgrounds, James Street, Beenleigh | 1949?–2003 |
| Bundaberg Greyhound Racing Club | Thabeban Park, Maynard Street, Avenell Heights, Bundaberg | opened October 1977 |
| Cairns Greyhound Racing Club | Cannon Park Racecourse, Woree, Cairns | 1933–2018 |
| Capalaba Straight | Old Cleveland Road, Capalaba | opened 1987 |
| Gold Coast Greyhound Racing Club | Parklands Drive, Southport | 1988–2009 |
| Ipswich Greyhound Racing Club | Ipswich Showgrounds, Warwick Road, Ipswich | opened 1973 |
| Lawnton | Pine Rivers Showground, Gympie Road, Lawnton | 1958–1995 |
| Mackay & District Greyhound Racing Club | Showgrounds, Milton Street, Mackay | 1984–2009 |
| Mount Isa Greyhound Racing Club | Buchanan Park, Simpson Street, Mount Isa | ?–2002? |
| Rockhampton Greyhound Racing Club | Callaghan Park, Renney Street, Rockhampton | opened May 1982 |
| The Gabba Greyhound Club | The Gabba, Woolloongabba | 1928 & 1972–1993 |
| Toowoomba Greyhound Racing Club | Showgrounds, Glenvale Road, Toowoomba | 1984–2000 |
| Townsville Showground | Ingham Road, West End, Townsville | opened 19 December 1936 |
South Australia
There are four active tracks in South Australia.Venues
| Name of club/track | Location | Opening / Closing |
| Angle Park | Cardigan Street, Angle Park | opened 20 April 1972 |
| Barmera | Bruce Oval, Sims Street, Barmera | ?–2011 |
| Gawler Greyhound Racing Club | Showgrounds, Nixon Terrace, Gawler | opened 12 July 1971 |
| Glenburnie Racecourse | Princes Highway, Glenburnie | 1979–1996 |
| Kulpara | Copper Coast Highway, Kulpara | -June 2008 |
| Murray Bridge Greyhound Racing Club | 2 Kennett Road, Murray Bridge East | opened 19 December 2018 |
| Port Augusta Greyhound Club | Chinnery Park, Donaldson Terrace, Port Augusta | 1972–2019 |
| Port Lincoln | Greyhound Road, Port Lincoln | ?–1990s? |
| Port Pirie & District Greyhound Racing Club | Phoenix Park, The Terrace, Port Pirie | 1972–2011? |
| Strathalbyn | Trotting complex, Milnes Road, Strathalbyn | 1971–2018 |
| Tara Raceway | 161 Lake Terrace East, Mount Gambier | opened 25 January 1997 |
| Whyalla Greyhound Racing Club | Memorial Oval, Bradford Street, Whyalla | 1970–2008 |
Tasmania
Tasracing, which was established in November 2008, is responsible for the strategic direction and funding, while the Office of Racing Integrity Tasmania is responsible for probity and integrity. The Tasmanian government announced that it will end its funding for greyhound racing in the state by 2029. There are three active tracks in Tasmania.Venues
| Name of club/track | Location | Opening / Closing |
| Devonport Showground | Gunn and Parker Street, Devonport | opened 3 April 1952 |
| Elwick Racecourse | Goodwood Road, Glenorchy | opened 2 November 2006 |
| Mowbray Racecourse | Jellico Street, Mowbray, Launceston | opened 20 December 2004 |
| Royal Hobart Showground | Main Road, Glenorchy | 1980–2006 |
| TCA Ground | Queens Domain, Hobart | 1935–1980 |
| White City | Goodman Court, Invermay, Launceston | 1940–2004 |
Victoria
See Greyhound Racing Victoria.Venues
| Name of club/track | Location | Opening / Closing |
| Ballarat Greyhounds | Morshead Park, Sutton Street, Ballarat Central | opened 23 December 1978 |
| Bendigo Greyhound Racing Association | Lords Raceway, McIvor Highway, Junortoun, Bendigo | opened 1978 |
| Botanic Park | Botanic & Queens Road, Warrnambool | 1936–1978 |
| Broadway Park | Creswick Road, Wendouree | 1938–1978? |
| Canterbury Park | Simpsons Road, Eaglehawk | 1936–1978 |
| Corio Oval | Limeburners Road, East Geelong | 1956–1970s |
| Cranbourne Greyhound Racing Club | Cranbourne Racing Centre, Grant Street, Cranbourne | opened August 1973 |
| Geelong Greyhound Racing Club | The Beckley Centre, Broderick Road, Corio, Geelong | opened 7 March 1980 |
| Healesville Greyhound Racing Club | Showgrounds & Sporting Complex, Don Road, Healesville | opened November 1989 |
| Horsham Greyhound Racing Club | Horsham Showground, Henty Highway, Horsham | opened 17 December 1973 |
| North Melbourne Oval | Arden Street, North Melbourne | 1957–1962 |
| Olympic Park No. 2 | Olympic Boulevard, Melbourne | 1962–1996 |
| Robinvale Greyhound Racing Club | Latje Road, Robinvale | 1980s?–1998? |
| Sale Greyhound Club | Showgrounds, Maffra-Sale Road, Sale | opened 6 Feb 1936 |
| Sandown Park | Lightwood Road, Springvale | opened 8 September 1956 |
| Shepparton Greyhound Racing Club | 7580 Goulburn Valley Highway, Kialla | opened 10 December 2005 |
| Shepparton Showgrounds | High Street, Shepparton | 1973–2005 |
| The Meadows Greyhounds | Northcorp Boulevard, Broadmeadows | opened 8 February 1999 |
| Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club | Glenview Park, McNairn Road, Traralgon | opened 28 June 1973 |
| Wangaratta Greyhound Racing Club | Avian Park Raceway, Wangaratta | 2002–2009 |
| Warragul Greyhound Club | Logan Park, Howitt Street, Warragul | opened 14 September 1956 |
| Warrnambool Greyhound Racing Club | Wannon Park, Koroit Street, Warrnambool | opened 27 July 1978 |
Western Australia
In 1981, the Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association 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. There are three active tracks in Western Australia.Venues
| Name of club/track | Location | Opening / Closing |
| Cannington Greyhounds | Station and Grey Street, Cannington | opened 23 March 2016 |
| Cannington Central | Showgrounds, Station Street, off Albany Highway, Cannington | 1974–2015 |
| Mandurah Greyhounds | Kanyana Park, Gordon Road, Mandurah | opened 5 January 1979, |
| Northam Greyhounds | Burwood Park, Clarke Street, Northam | opened 30 September 1996 |
Notable Australian greyhounds
- Brett Lee
- Chief Havoc
- Fanta Bale
- Fernando Bale
- Zoom Top
Major races
The Melbourne Cup for greyhounds was, for a long time, the world's richest greyhound race, with a prize pool of 600,000 in 2015. Victoria holds the world's richest greyhound race, The Phoenix, worth $1 million to the winner, with a total prize pool of $1.65 million. The race was first run in 2021 and is held annually at The Meadows in December. That race overtook the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase, first run in 2018, which is also worth $1 million to the winner, but has a total prize pool of $1.195 million.- The Phoenix $1,000,000
- Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase $1,000,000
- Melbourne Cup $500,000
- Australian Cup $300,000
- Adelaide Cup $300,000
- Golden Easter Egg $250,000
- Sandown Cup $150,000
- Launching Pad $150,000
- Perth Cup $150,000
- Garrards Gold Bullion $150,000
- Sportsbet Topgun $150,000
- Bold Trease Final $105,000
- Silver Chief $100,000
- Temlee 525m $100,000
- Fanta Bale – Super Stayers $100,000
- Galaxy $100,000
- Maturity Classic $100,000
- Ladbrokes Dapto Group 1 Megastar $75,000
Adoption
Many adoption programs have been set up throughout Australia. There are industry programs and non-industry rescue groups. Greyhounds are available for adoption in most parts of Australia. The industry's Greyhound Adoption Program operates in most states but does not re-home all ex-racing greyhounds. In 2018, The New Daily newspaper reported 257 greyhounds failed the New South Wales rehoming test but NSW Greenhounds state that more than 90% pass the test.Some states and territories require muzzling of greyhounds. Both the RSPCA and the Australian Veterinary Association recommend against muzzles for companion animal greyhounds. NSW, Victoria and the ACT have removed the requirement to muzzle greyhounds in public.
Criticism
In 2013, ABC News revealed that some greyhounds were given to veterinary surgeons as blood donors and then euthanised. In 2015, the Australian Veterinary Association stated that all greyhounds bred for racing should be registered with an independent authority in order to track their lifetime movements. In 2016, 179 trainers were charged with illegal exports to Macau, China, a practice that was banned in 2013. This led to Qantas announcing they would no longer transport ex-racers.Popular culture
In Australian slang, the term Dapto dog is rhyming slang for wog, a pejorative for a person of Mediterranean background, 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. Dapto was also once home to Australia's largest greyhound pup auctions in Australia.Notable Australian owners of racing greyhounds include Tony Lockett, Tim Cahill, and Ricky Ponting.
In Australian English, the term "plumpton" has been used for an enclosed racecourse for greyhounds.