Greyhound Racing has been part of the UK’s sporting landscape for almost a century and hosts over two million spectators annually, making it the sixth most-attended sport.
Whether you’re looking for a night out with friends, family or colleagues or simply enjoy watching greyhounds do what they love most, greyhound racing has something for everyone.
The industry is constantly evolving and has made significant strides in ensuring the welfare of all racing greyhounds comes before anything else. Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) licenced tracks are required to meet strict welfare standards under its ‘Rules of Racing’ regulations.
At Oxford Stadium, we have invested more than £250,000 in our kennel and veterinary facilities to deliver the highest standards of care. We have also purchased the latest track maintenance equipment, proven to deliver quality and safe racing surfaces that have reduced injury rates to an all-time low.
If you’re new to greyhound racing, our beginners guide to the sport below will help you understand more.
At Oxford Stadium, multiple greyhound meetings will be held each week.
Typically, a meeting will comprise of a dozen races held over varying distances and conditions and last between two-and-a-half to three hours – depending on the number of races.
Greyhounds are subject to a full assessment from our experienced and qualified team of veterinary experts before and after they race.
Providing every greyhound is cleared fit to run by our veterinary team, each greyhound race at Oxford Stadium will be contested by six dogs.
Each dog is placed into a box, known as a trap, which is released when an artificial hare passes. It is in all greyhounds’ DNA to chase. The winning dog is the one which passes the finish line first.
Races are held over a variety of distances and grades with greyhounds moving up and down the grading system depending on performance.
Greyhounds are the true stars of our sport. From birth, they live with their littermates until they are six months old before starting their journey to the racetrack.
Greyhounds are not allowed to race competitively until they are at least 15 months old and their muscles and joints have fully developed.
A healthy greyhound can race until it’s five years old but live between 10 and 14 years. We guarantee to find a loving home in retirement for every greyhound associated with Oxford Stadium.
Each greyhound will live with its trainer in kennels. They are cared for 24 hours a day, 365 days per year by dedicated kennel hands who work around the clock in all seasons to ensure they live a happy and healthy life.
Trainers are responsible for the wellbeing of all greyhounds registered in their name.
Racing greyhounds are described as ‘45mph couched potatoes’. As much as they love to chase our artificial hare, they enjoy spending most of their day cuddled up in bed with their kennelmate at home.
A typical day for a racing greyhound would involve two walks, several play periods in an enclosed and secure paddock with its kennelmates, grooming and a gallop. They are fed the highest quality foods which include raw beef, chicken breasts, fresh vegetables, fresh eggs and honey.
Oxford Stadium is a multi-purpose sports and events venue situated in Cowley, Oxford.
It first opened in 1939 and hosted speedway and greyhound racing for 73 years before closing in 2012. Kevin Boothby secured a 10-year lease to return the stadium to its former glory in June 2021.
