Springbok (greyhounds)

The Springbok was a greyhound racing hurdle competition last held at Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium in 2023.

History

The event was inaugurated in 1937 at the White City Stadium in London. The origins of the race came from a contingent of greyhounds that included Hawtrey, Raven Arms and Bobby Sparks that travelled to South Africa in the winter of 1936/1937 as a series of race tests for the country. In return the South African Greyhound Racing Association gifted a trophy to the Greyhound Racing Association and a perpetual award for a new race was created.
The event was held at White City until its closure in 1985 when it switched to Wimbledon Stadium. The event is the leading competition for novice hurdlers.
In 2017 the race switched to Central Park Stadium in Sittingbourne following the closure of Wimbledon Stadium. The relocation of the competition to Central Park continued a family legacy for the Cearns family who had been connected with the race when it was first held in 1937. In 2023, the race was held at Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium while track renovation was taking place at Central Park but Central Park did not continue hurdle racing when the new track was completed.

Venues and distances

1937–1985
1986–2010
2011–2016
2017–2022
2023–2023

Sponsors

1994–1995
2000–2006
2007–2007
2008–2009
2010–2016
2017–2021
2022–2022
2023–2023