You can trace the origins of greyhound racing back to 1876, with the first officially recorded attempt on a straight track taking place in Hendon, England. However, it wasn’t until 1920 that the first greyhound racetrack was constructed.
Since then, greyhound racing has evolved with the times. While some greyhound racing is still amateur level, greyhounds betting is now popular in the United Kingdom, as well as the United States of America and Australia.
Punters can bet on greyhound racing with 888sport – with the latest odds available on a wide range of meetings around the world. So without further ado, let’s take a look at all of the ‘need to know’ information regarding greyhound racing betting.
Greyhounds Betting Strategy
There are a number of ways to bet on greyhounds racing in the UK. The most popular and easiest bet is to win a race outright.
Select your greyhound from the list of available runners, choose your stake and then cross your fingers and watch the race.
As is the case in horse running, each way odds are available for most races. If your selection finishes in the top two, you will be paid out – quite often at 1/4 of the stated greyhound betting odds.
For eight runner races, this will usually be 1/5 of the odds but for the top three places.
Furthermore, 888sport allow greyhound betting users to predict the forecast and/or tricast for selected races.
If you have a strong fancy for two greyhounds in a certain race, it may be wise to back the forecast rather than covering the runners with two singles.
How Are Greyhound Racing Jacket Colours Allocated?
Greyhound racing in Great Britain follows a specific colour scheme. The traps allocated to each runner determines the colour of racing jacket.
While eight colours are included in the standardised list, no UK tracks feature eight runner races at this moment in time:
- Trap 1 – Red with White number
- Trap 2 – Blue with White number
- Trap 3 – White with Black number
- Trap 4 – Black with White number
- Trap 5 – Orange with Black number
- Trap 6 – Black and White stripes with Red number
- Trap 7 – Green with Red number
- Trap 8 – Yellow and Black with White number
UK Greyhound Tracks
There are 21 active tracks registered for greyhound racing in the United Kingdom, with an additional three independent venues across the country. You can find your local greyhound track via the list below:
- Belle Vue Stadium, Manchester
- Brighton And Hove Stadium, Brighton And Hove
- Central Park Stadium, Sittingbourne
- Crayford Stadium, London
- Doncaster Stadium, Doncaster
- Harlow Stadium, Harlow
- Henlow Stadium, Stondon
- Kinsley Stadium, Kinsley
- Monmore Green Stadium, Wolverhampton
- Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle upon Tyne
- Nottingham Stadium, Nottingham
- Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield
- Pelaw Grange, Chester-le-Street
- Perry Barr Stadium, Birmingham
- Peterborough Stadium, Peterborough
- Poole Stadium, Poole
- Romford Stadium, London
- Shawfield Stadium, Shawfield
- Sunderland Stadium, Sunderland
- Swindon Stadium, Swindon
- Towcester Stadium, Towcester
- Yarmouth Stadium, Great Yarmouth
As of April 2020, the three independent stadiums are:
- Askern Stadium, Doncaster
- Thornton Stadium, Thornton
- Valley Stadium, Ystrad Mynach
How Are Greyhound Races Classified?
Greyhound racing in the UK works in a similar way to horse racing.
Certain categories of race are more valuable than others, with Minor Open Races ranking as the lowest standard while Greyhound Derby level is as lucrative as it gets in the sport.
The minimum prize money for winning in each greyhound racing category is as follows:
- Minor Open Race - £150
- Invitation Race - £750
- Category Three Race - £500
- Category Two Race - £5,000
- Category One Race - £12,500
- Greyhound Derby - £50,000
Most Popular UK Greyhound Races
The Greyhound Derbies are the biggest races in the sport. There are two derbys held in Britain, with the Scottish Greyhound Derby at Shawfield Stadium and the English Greyhound Derby taking place at Nottingham.
Across the Irish Sea, the Irish Greyhound Derby is open to British greyhounds should owners wish to enter for the event. The Welsh Greyhound Derby was a major event in the area but the event was cancelled in 1997 after the Cardiff track closed down.
Upcoming Greyhound Betting Meetings
Greyhound racing is still taking place around the world, with daily meetings in America and Australia. Punters should follow the designated greyhounds betting section on 888sport for information on upcoming races and events.
What Sport Is On Today?
888sport is the place to be for daily sport updates, with news and tips on the biggest events of the week.
The Belarusian Premier League and Nicaragua Primera Division are still ongoing but there is plenty of eSports, horse racing and table tennis tournaments if football isn’t your thing.
Keep an eye on our blog for the latest sport quizzes, betting guides and interesting articles as we wait for the 2020 sporting calendar to return.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Brynn Anderson / AP Photo*
