| Crayford Stadium | |
| Location: | Bexley, Greater London, England |
| Coordinates: | 51.448°N 0.1763°W |
| Operator: | Entain (Ladbrokes Coral) |
| Opened: | 1986 |
| Website: | Official website |
Crayford Stadium is a greyhound racing stadium located in the London Borough of Bexley in England.[1] The stadium, which has featured races since 1986, has private suites, a restaurant and a number of bars.
Evening meetings takes place every Tuesday and Sunday, a matinée race meeting takes place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Crayford is owned by Ladbrokes Coral.[2]
In 1984 Ladbrokes announced that racing would cease at the Crayford & Bexleyheath Stadium to allow plans for rebuilding the entire stadium as part of a development project. The twenty-acre site would be redeveloped, with five acres of it being converted into a new greyhound track and sports stadium. Racing ended on 18 May 1985 and work began on the new stadium. Following sixteen months of development and construction, it was ready for action.[3]
The grand opening took place on 1 September 1986, and the new stadium would be called Crayford after the decision was made to drop the Bexleyheath part; the stadium was situated in a different five-acre part of the original twenty acres.[3] The stadium was opened by the mayor of Bexley and Ladbrokes Chairman Cyril Stein.[4]
In 1987 the track took possession of a major competition called the Golden Jacket which had struggled to find a new home since the demise of Harringay. The event had been temporarily held at Hall Green and Monmore and was a popular afternoon competition with television exposure. Crayford also provided a new matinee meeting for their Ladbrokes betting shops and another new competition called the Crayford Rosebowl was inaugurated.[5] In 1988 Dinky Luckhurst trained Breeks Rocket to Grand National success.
The dimensions of the all-sand circuit were a small 334 m circumference with distances of 380, 540, 714 and 874 metres with an outside Sumner hare. Facilities included a restaurant for 138 covers, two bars and a twin-tier glass-fronted covered stand. Also within the stadium was a sports hall complex, a fitness area and a swimming pool. The racing manager was Roy Dwight and general manager Roger Lakey, soon to be replaced by Paul Lawrence and Barry Stanton respectively.
In 1996 Dynamic Display repeated the Grand National achievement for trainer Barry O'Sullivan. The Guys and Dolls competition arrived at the track in 1997. Pure Patches won the 1998 Gold Collar and also made the 1999 English Greyhound Derby final and Bubbly Prince won the 1999 Cesarewitch.
Lady Jean won the 2000 Cesarewitch, and Haughty Ted won the 2001 Gold Collar for Dinky Luckhurst. Racing manager Paul Lawrence parted company with the track in 2000, replaced by Harry Bull, with Danny Rayment promoted to deputy.[6] Trainer Lorraine Sams introduced a greyhound to the industry in 2006 called Spiridon Louis. The black-and-white dog would become the 2007 Greyhound of the Year after winning the St Leger, TV Trophy and Regency.
A third Grand National win by the Gemma Davidson-trained Plane Daddy, in 2010, continued Crayford's success with hurdle racing. In 2015, Danny Rayment became the Racing Manager taking over from Harry Bull.
In 2015 the track resurrected the original classic Gold Collar competition and the Guys and Dolls.[7] In 2017 Ladbrokes merged with Gala Coral to form Ladbrokes Coral.[8]
In 2018, the stadium signed a deal with SIS to race every Tuesday morning and evening, Thursday afternoon, Friday morning and Saturday morning.[9]
In 2022, Entain signed a long-term deal with the Arena Racing Company for media rights, starting in January 2024.[10] In 2023, the stadium held the Champion Hurdle for the first time.[11] In 2024, Crayford trainer Ricky Holloway won the Golden Jacket with Dazl Rolex, the first home victory since 2007.
See main article: article and Golden Jacket.
See main article: article and Gold Collar.
See main article: article and Kent St Leger.
See main article: article and Guys and Dolls (greyhounds).
See main article: Champion Hurdle (greyhounds).
| width=50 | Year | width=180 | Winner | width=270 | Breeding | width=250 | Trainer | width=80 | Time | width=50 | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Millies Valley | Pigalle Wonder – Racing Millie | 29.17 | ||||||||
| 1968 | Ambiguous | Crazy Parachute – The Mistress | Paddy McEvoy (Wimbledon) | 29.10 | 5/2 | ||||||
| 1969 | Quarrymount Bill | Boro Parachute – Ballinasloe Judy | Frank Melville Harringay) | 28.69 | 10/1 | ||||||
| 1970 | Lord Phil | Lucky Wonder – Lachienne | Dennis Mansfield (Southend) | 29.21 | 7/2 | ||||||
| 1971 | Mad Risk | Carry On Oregon – Mad Girl | Charlie Coyle (Private) | 28.77 | 4/1 | ||||||
| 1972 | Fragrant Flyer | Prince of Roses – Forest Brown | 28.41 | 11/10f | |||||||
| 1973 | Kilmac Chieftan | Own Pride – Stolen Tilly | Vernon Ford (Private) | 28.58 | 5/4 | ||||||
| 1974 | Money Again | Clomoney Jet – Leades Again | 28.92 | 16/1 | |||||||
| 1975 | London Spec | Spectre II – Hi Lasinagh | 28.41 | 5/4 | |||||||
| 1976 | Gin And Jass | Kilbeg Kuda – Liberty Bell | 28.54 | 9/4 | |||||||
| 1977 | Colonel Pearloma | Lively Band – Certral | John Coleman (Wembley) | 28.70 | 1/1f | ||||||
| 1978 | Proud Time | Time Up Please – Girvin Kate | John Gibbons (Private) | 28.40 | 7/2 | ||||||
| 1979 | Fearna Cobbler | Cobbler – Aidans Lady | 28.38 | 5/2 | |||||||
| 1980 | Johns Luck | Westmead Bounty – Kiltean Fawn | John Coleman (Wembley) | 28.47 | 4/1 | ||||||
| 1981 | Deel Joker | Free Speech – Leaping Lady | 28.11 | 4/6f | |||||||
| 1982 | General Fun | Laurdella Fun – Satin Sash | 29.02 | 7/1 | |||||||
| 1983 | Sammy Bear (dead-heat) | Mexican Chief – Lady Laurdella | 28.53 | 5/2jf | |||||||
| 1983 | Cashen Son (dead-heat) | Jimsun – Minty Lady | George Curtis (Brighton) | 28.53 | 5/1 | ||||||
| 1984 | Gortatlea Brigg | Noble Brigg – Lartigue Rose | 28.17 | 10/1 | |||||||
| 1985-1986, not held | |||||||||||
| 1987 | Sand Streak | Sand Man – Rapid Lady | 34.68 | 8/1 | |||||||
| 1988 | Foretop | Blue Train – Green Slieve | Kenny Linzell (Walthamstow) | 34.59 | 4/6f | ||||||
| 1989 | Fennessys Gold | Soda Fountain – Fast Mission | 34.33 | 4/5f | |||||||
| 1990 | Hello Blackie | Daleys Gold – Ashcarne Chips | 34.12 | 1/4f | |||||||
| 1991 | Appleby Lisa | Whisper Wishes – Moon Bran | 34.87 | 8/1 | |||||||
| 1992 | Ballarue Hove | Curryhills Fox – Ballarue Suzy | Derek Knight (Hove) | 33.98 | 7/2 | ||||||
| 1993 | Ardcollum Hilda | Druids Johno – Seventh Dynamic | 33.87 | 2/5f | |||||||
| 1994 | Ashfield Arrow [14] | Slippys Quest – Alf Arrow | Bill Masters (Hove) | ||||||||
| 1995 | Heaven Sent | Lodge Prince – Murlens Mandy | Peter Rich (Romford) | 34.05 | 4/1 | ||||||
| 1996 | El Tenor | Ratify – Ballygar Rose | 33.81 | 7/4f | |||||||
| 1997 | El Tenor | Ratify – Ballygar Rose | Linda Mullins (Walthamstow) | 33.83 | 10/11f | ||||||
| 1998 | Rio Shadow | Adraville Bridge – Droopys Aliysa | Daniel Riordan (Harlow) | 34.45 | 5/4f | ||||||
| 1999 | Lake Shadow | Come on Ranger – Lake Tricks | Dinky Luckhurst (Crayford) | 34.64 | 7/4f | ||||||
| 2000 | Baby Courtney | Slipaway Jaydee – Lady Little | 34.47 | 5/4f | |||||||
| 2001 | Little Vintage | Vintage Prince – Treasure Beo | Linda Jones (Walthamstow) | 33.77 | 11/4 | ||||||
| 2002 | Top Power | Top Honcho – Able Ivy | Linda Jones (Walthamstow) | 33.93 | 5/4f | ||||||
| 2003 | Droopys Regina | Top Honcho – Doopys Kylie | Gary Sallis (Private) | 33.63 | 6/1 | ||||||
| 2004 | Topmeup | Carlton Bale – Metric Flower | Paul Garland (Wimbledon) | 33.89 | 3/1jf | ||||||
| 2005 | Merton Flower | Top Honcho – Metric Flower | Paul Garland (Wimbledon) | 33.68 | 4/5f | ||||||
| 2006 | Xamax Johndee | Droopys Kewell – Xamax Xylograph | John Davidson (Crayford) | 33.87 | 6/1 | ||||||
| 2007 | Fear Martina | Never Give Up – Expert View | Steve Willey (Sittingbourne) | 33.75 | 2/1jf | ||||||
| 2008 | Barnfield Slippy | Crash – Blues Best Buzz | Sam Poots (Private) | 33.25 | 1/2f | ||||||
| 2010 | Freedom Cody | Pacific Mile – Synone Starlight | Matt Dartnall (Private) | 33.66 | 6/4f | ||||||
| 2019 | Crossfield Vince [15] | Kinloch Brae – Crossfield Alba | Julie Luckhurst (Crayford) | 33.81 | 3/1 | ||||||
| 2020 | |||||||||||
| 2021 | Ballynabee Jet[16] | Sh Avatar – Monleek Dawn | Samantha West (Hove) | 34.03 | 100/30 | ||||||
| 2022 | Bandicoot Sammy[17] | Droopys Sydney – Samiya | Ron Grey (Private) | 33.90 | 5/1 | ||||||
| 2023 | Beebee Bianco[18] | Droopys Sydney – Clounamon Diva | Julie Luckhurst (Crayford) | 34.22 | 8/1 | ||||||
| 2024 | Kuda Honey[19] | Magical Bale – Brynoffa Honey | Jean Liles (Romford) | 34.01 | 6/1 | ||||||
| width=50 | Year | width=180 | Winner | width=270 | Breeding | width=250 | Trainer | width=80 | Time | width=50 | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Lisnakill Ruby | I'm Slippy – Midland Mist | 25.46 | ||||||||
| 1990 | Clonlusk Villa | Strom Villa – Clonlusk Dell | 23.93 | 2-1 | |||||||
| 1993 | Loch Bo Lucky | I'm Slippy – Loch Bo Goldie | John Coleman (Walthamstow) | 23.78 | 4-1 | ||||||
| 1994 | Lemon Raider | I'm Slippy – Lemon Miss | 23.33 | 6-4jf | |||||||
| 1995 | Dongadong | Deenside Spark – Keltic Cracker | 24.18 | ||||||||
| 1997 | Kiel Casino | Daleys Gold – Kiel Glory | Roy Towner (Crayford) | 23.70 | 14-1 | ||||||
| 1998 | Curryhills Steve | Cool Prince – Iona Lass | Linda Jones (Romford) | 24.28 | 10-1 | ||||||
| 1999 | Dower Diamond | Highway Leader – Dower Celt | Roy Towner (Crayford) | 24.05 | 5-2 | ||||||
| 2000 | Respect | New Level – Hello Gorgeous | 23.91 | 8-1 | |||||||
| 2001 | Marinas Pride | Thorgil Tex – Marinas Machine | Pat Thompson (Crayford) | 23.86 | 7-4jf | ||||||
| 2002 | Silver Tail | Roanokee – Ardera Melody | 23.22 | 5-1 | |||||||
| 2003 | Patchit | Cool Performance – Chartwell Flyer | Patsy Cusack (Crayford) | 23.30 | 11-4jf | ||||||
| 2004 | Rockmount Gael | Prince of Tinrah – Slaney Lady | Dinky Luckhurst (Crayford) | 23.47 | 11-4 | ||||||
| 2005 | Lenson Ace | Judicial Pride – Any Time Soon | 23.83 | 2-1f | |||||||
| 2006 | Lenson Ace | Judicial Pride – Any Time Soon | 23.68 | 2-1f | |||||||
| 2007 | Xamax Johndee | Droopys Kewell – Xamax Xylograph | John Davidson (Crayford) | 23.95 | 5-4f | ||||||
| 2008 | Farloe Nipper | Droopys Kewell – Farloe Edge | Arun Green (Crayford) | 23.54 | 6-1 | ||||||
| 2009 | Ardbeg Kate | Daves Mentor – Farantane Sinead | Michael Fawsitt (Private) | 23.10 | 4-5f | ||||||
| 2010 | Me Buddy | Ballymac Maeve – Ballymac Peg | Matt Dartnall (Private) | 23.64 | 2-1 | ||||||
| 2011 | Ministry Mayhem | Ballymac Maeve – Lady Freckles | Kelly Findlay (Private) | 23.63 | 4-5f | ||||||
| 2012 | Selkirk Souter | Boherduff Light – Memphis May | Julie Luckhurst (Crayford) | 23.35 | 6-1 | ||||||
| 2013 | Murlens Crash | Crash – Murlens Snowdrop | 23.33 | 7/2 | |||||||
| 2019 | Sleepy Genie[21] | Laughil Blake – Whiteys Buddelia | David Puddy (Harlow) | 23.29 | 4/9f | ||||||
| 2020 | Signature Callum[22] | Tullymurry Act – Franks Dream | 23.43 | 6/4f | |||||||
| 2021 | Icaals Rocco[23] | Pat C Sabbath – Quivers Duchess | John Mullins (Towcester) | 23.38 | 8/1 | ||||||
| 2022 | Adeles Duke[24] | Good News – Tullovin Fire | Diane Henry (Towcester) | 23.27 | 6/4f | ||||||
| 2023 | Oh Cosmopolitan[25] | Laughil Blake – Ballykett Beauty | John Mullins (Towcester) | 23.28 | 9/2 |
| width=50 | Metres | width=200 | Greyhound | width=70 | Time | width=150 | Date | width=250 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 380 | Brinkleys Poet[27] | 22.85 | 29.05.2018 | ||||||
| 540 | Mayshighlandreel[28] | 33.09 | 26 September 2017 | Gold Collar final | |||||
| 714 | Stardom[29] | 44.52 | 24 August 2019 | ||||||
| 874 | Burgess Borna[30] | 55.89 | 26 December 2014 | ||||||
| 1048 | Roxholme Magic[31] | 67.83 | 21 February 2017 | ||||||
| 380 H | Lenson Doolin | 23.10 | 15 April 2023 | Champion Hurdle final | |||||
| 540 H | Razldazl Raidio[32] | 33.57 | 21 February 2017 |
| width=50 | Metres | width=200 | Greyhound | width=70 | Time | width=150 | Date | width=250 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 380 | Justa Mo | 23.66 | 9 May 1987 | ||||||
| 380 | Sail on Delaney | 23.53 | 28 January 1989 | ||||||
| 380 | Clonlusk Villa | 23.46 | 26 January 1991 | ||||||
| 380 | Genotin Laura | 23.31 | 17 May 1993 | ||||||
| 380 | Lots of Jolly | 23.31 | 16 July 1994 | ||||||
| 380 | Rossa Ranger | 23.36 | 15 April 2002 | ||||||
| 380 | Chasing A Dream | 23.18 | 5 May 2002 | ||||||
| 380 | Skibbs Flyer | 23.06 | 14 October 2002 | ||||||
| 380 | Kingdom Club | 23.01 | 27 September 2003 | Guys and Dolls Final | |||||
| 380 | Tictac Tyson | 22.97 | 7 May 2011 | ||||||
| 380 | You Never Listen | 22.97 | 19 February 2015 | =equalled | |||||
| 380 | Target Harris | 22.88 | 18 July 2015 | ||||||
| 540 | Baby Pol | 34.01 | 4 August 1987 | ||||||
| 540 | Hello Blackie | 33.93 | 11 August 1990 | ||||||
| 540 | Side Wink | 33.46 | 9 January 1992 | ||||||
| 540 | Break On Thru | 33.43 | 14 October 2002 | ||||||
| 540 | Sportsman | 33.26 | 3 February 2003 | ||||||
| 540 | Sunshine Sophie | 33.13 | 28 February 2004 | ||||||
| 714 | Favourite Return | 46.86 | 22 May 1987 | ||||||
| 714 | Harry Lime | 46.17 | 31 August 1987 | ||||||
| 714 | Fort Leader | 45.61 | 16 February 1989 | ||||||
| 714 | Heavenly Lady | 45.25 | 8 February 1993 | ||||||
| 714 | Blues Best Tayla | 45.19 | 24 February 2001 | ||||||
| 714 | Rosden Image | 45.07 | 14 October 2002 | ||||||
| 714 | Foreign Chick | 45.13 | 14 October 2002 | ||||||
| 714 | Centour Corker | 45.02 | 3 February 2003 | ||||||
| 714 | Centour Corker | 44.74 | 3 March 2003 | Golden Jacket Final | |||||
| 714 | Double Take | 44.57 | 21 February 2004 | Golden Jacket semi-final | |||||
| 874 | Astrosyn Trace | 57.21 | 26 October 1987 | ||||||
| 874 | Clonbrin Black | 56.15 | 15 October 1993 | ||||||
| 1048 | Stansted Flyer | 69.81 | 7 September 1996 | ||||||
| 1048 | Musical Fawn | 68.80 | 22 February 2014 | ||||||
| 1048 | Roxholme Magic | 68.59 | 23 February 2016 | ||||||
| 380 H | Off You Sail | 24.29 | 15 June 1987 | ||||||
| 380 H | Parktown Ranger | 23.96 | 21 January 1989 | ||||||
| 380 H | Ladys Champion | 23.86 | 24 September 1994 | ||||||
| 380 H | Dynamic Display | 23.70 | 1996 | ||||||
| 380 H | Razldazl Raidio | 23.28 | 26 March 2016 | ||||||
| 380 H | Razldazl Raidio[33] | 23.18 | 8 October 2016 | ||||||
| 380 H | Droopys Cruiser[34] | 23.18 | 28 September 2019 | ||||||
| 540 H | Breeks Rocket | 35.30 | 1988 | ||||||
| 540 H | Cahara Gamble | 35.08 | 17 June 1991 | ||||||
| 540 H | Cahara Gamble | 35.01 | 3 August 1991 | ||||||
| 540 H | Rainys Pet | 34.85 | 10 August 1991 | ||||||
| 540 H | Rainys Pet | 34.67 | 17 August 1991 | ||||||
| 540 H | Sunshine Sandy | 34.32 | 11 March 1993 | ||||||
| 540 H | El Tenor | 34.16 | 13 April 1998 | ||||||
| 540 H | Selby Ben | 33.68 | 26 May 2003 |