Peterborough Greyhound Stadium Explained

Peterborough Greyhound Stadium
Location:Fengate, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE1 5BP
Coordinates:52.5689°N -0.2214°W
Opened:1931
Renovated:1988
Expanded:2003
Closed:2020
Tenants:Greyhound racing

Peterborough Greyhound Stadium was a greyhound racing track located in Fengate, less than a mile from the centre of Peterborough, England.[1]

Racing at the stadium took place every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night with racing starting at 7:30 pm.[2]

On Tuesday 19 May 2020, the stadium announced that it would cease trading with immediate effect after 75 years.[3] [4]

Origins and opening

The Liberty of Peterborough was an historic area comprising around thirty parishes, and it was in 1931 that the Peterborough Racing Club opened their new greyhound track within the Liberty. The venue was described as being off Star Road which is misleading because although this is in the Fengate area the actual track was off the Fengate Road. The plot of land chosen for the track was in south-east Fengate directly north of Peterborough Corporation sewage pumping station. The opening night was on Saturday 4 April 1931, consisting of twelve races. The managing director was G Hooke and organised racing was held every Monday and Saturday which consisted mainly of greyhounds but also whippet races.[5]

The first ever winner was a greyhound called 'Dewdrop'. The second meeting on Monday 6 April was recorded as being a record crowd for the area with 400 being present. Racing continued up until the war with a maximum capacity of 700 being able to attend the track. It is also reported that facilities were very basic with the hare still being moved around the track by the power of two men cycling.[6]

History

After the war there was a major milestone for the track when Reg Perkins from a farming and transport business family and George Ellingworth a garage owner purchased the track in 1945 and quickly began to improve facilities. The purchase came at the right time because greyhound racing hit its peak in 1946 and it is known that one year later in 1947 the track had a totalisator turnover of £49,719.[7] By this time it was also known as the Peterborough Sports Stadium and Reg Perkins took sole control several years later following the death of George Ellingworth.

The racing continued independent of the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) but remained popular with the local population and by the sixties the stadium offered licensed bars and refreshments, photo finish apparatus and on course bookmakers and an 'Outside Sumner' hare. The immediate area also underwent major changes with industrial units appearing with frequent regularity and a road called First Drove serving as the entrance to the stadium.[8]

In 1977 Reg Perkins retired leaving the day-to-day management to his sons Rex and David with racing on Tuesday and Saturday evenings at 7.15pm. Track distances at this time were 275, 475 & 675 yards and there were now nine track bookmakers. The second major milestone arrived in 1982 following the decision of the management to join the NGRC permit scheme that was in operation at the time. This allowed smaller tracks to run under NGRC rules at reduced rates and was the catalyst for Peterborough to improve in stature. In 1983 the Peterborough Derby was inaugurated and soon became a very popular event at the track. The stadium reputation began to grow and Rex Perkins was elected the Mayor of Peterborough from 1987 and with his wife Margaret raised thousands of pounds for charities.[9]

Renovation

In 1988 grand plans were unveiled by local architects T. E. Titman Associates for a new grandstand and restaurant and following the completion of the half a million pounds project. The 'Raceview Restaurant' could seat 200 with a further 600 seats available on the glass fronted grandstand.[6] [10]

Recent history

John 'Ginger' McGee Sr. joined the track and the Irishman won Greyhound Trainer of the Year in 1991 whilst attached to Peterborough. In 1998 Racing Manager Mike Middle left the track to assist with a new track at Wisbech Greyhound Stadium and was replaced by Con Baker. On 24 March 1999 the stadium suffered severe damage when a fire spread from an adjoining warehouse and destroyed two bars, a tote booth and a 250-person seating area.[11] The damage resulted in a six-month closure but the management remained positive and rebuilt and refurbished, re-opening on the 21 September 1999.[12]

2003 was a pivotal year for the track because Rex Perkins died after a long illness and his son Richard and nephew Rob dedicated a new £3 million extension to his name. The raceview seating area could now hold 1,000 spectators and corporate boxes were also added. Peterborough dropped Tuesday night racing in 2008[13] and was rewarded with a Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhound Service (BAGS) contract in 2012. At the end of 2014 the track became BAGS national champions after defeating five other tracks in the final at Nottingham Greyhound Stadium.[14]

In 2018 the stadium signed a deal with ARC to race every Wednesday evening.[15]

Closure

The track closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and when racing returned (18 May) following the lock-down Peterborough announced that they would not be re-opening until they sought further clarification from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain.[16] The concerns over the financial implication of racing behind closed doors was evident and the following day (20 May) the Perkins family announced the permanent closure of the track.[3]

Competitions

Peterborough Derby

width=50Yearwidth=180Winnerwidth=270Breedingwidth=250Trainerwidth=80Timewidth=50SPwidth=100Notes
1983Dutch Jet Indian Joe – Flying Socks 26.11 10-1
1984Decoy Moon Decoy Sovereign – Tibbys Girl Pam Cobbold (Private) 25.92 4-1
1985Decoy Tulip Decoy Sovereign – Tibbys Girl Pam Cobbold (Private) 26.12 14-1
1986Stylish StartYellow Band – Flying Chick Jean Talmage (Private) 26.28 5-2f
1987Quick JudgementBlushing Spy - Marsena Linda Pruhs - Peterborough 26.61 7-1
1988Lissadell TigerBold Work –Cleonas Style Ernie Gaskin Sr. (Private) 25.80 4-6f
1989Sky JackKyle Jack – Kingdom Flower David Pruhs - Peterborough 26.62 6-1
1990Bolt HomeMurlens Slippy – Supreme Peg Ernie Gaskin Sr. (Private) 26.02 5-1
1991Chief CanaryEasy And Slow – Champagne Lady 25.77 5-2
1992Pineapple MagicI'm Slippy – Michigan Moira Michael Compton (Private) 25.80 4-5f
1993Gentle WarningGlen Park Dancer – Gentle Sarah 25.76 3-1
1994Highway Leader[17] Leaders Best – Highway Mystery 25.47 7-4jf
1995Gold BusterDaleys Gold – Spot The Blue 25.81 5-1
1996Dynamic FairFair Boot – Seventh Dynamic 25.46 6-1
1997Dynamic FairFair Boot – Seventh Dynamic 25.45 7-2
1998Spoonbill SnoweyRight Wish – Clohast Wish 25.20 4-6f
2000Reactabond RebelSome Picture – Droopys Larraine25.78 11-10f
2001Kinda Magic Deep Decision - Enchantment 25.523-1
2002Letter SlippyShanless Slippy – Slick City 25.572-1
2003Tims Crow Lenson Lad – Churchtown Spice 25.594-5f
2004Run On TrooperSplit the Bill – Oddsonlookon 25.73 6-1
2005Fear No OneToms The Best – Step And Go 25.41 5-4f
2006Too RiskyDaves Mentor – Micks Bozz Lady 25.66 6-4
2007Westmead PrinceDroopys Kewell – Mega Delight Nick Savva (Private) 25.29 4-5f
2008Me BuddyBallymac Maeve – Ballymac Peg 25.71 2-1f
2009Salisman Droopys Agassi – Droopys Natasha25.17 6-1
2010Lainedans Flyer Droopys Vieri – Westmead Swift25.26 11-2
2011Mountjoy Rock Black Shaw – Noelles Amarillo 24.88 9-2Track record
2012Lil Risky Ballymac Maeve-Risk The Town 24.99 7-4f
2013Frisby Barney Head Bound – Airport Boss David Pruhs - Peterborough 25.69 1-2fTrack record
2017Hiya Butt [18] Hondo Black - Hather for Pat Hayley Keightley (Private) 25.771-2f
(1983-2012 420 metres), (2013-2017 435 metres), (2014-16 & 2018 not held)

Peterborough Puppy Derby

width=50Yearwidth=180Winnerwidth=270Breedingwidth=250Trainerwidth=80Timewidth=50SPwidth=100Notes
1992Bagshot Boozer I'm Slippy – Pilgrims Joy 25.90
1993Sure Fantasy Phantom Flash – Lively Spark 25.83
1994Pams Silver Skelligs Tiger – Cosy And Warm 25.58
1995Slick Mick Staplers Jo - Aughaderney Mona 25.74
1996Spring Gamble Slaneyside Hare – Spring Season 25.41
1997Lenson Billy Slaneyside Hare – Ballydaly Flyer 25.41 7-2
1998Del Piero Droopys Sandy – Audi Turbo 25.60 4-5f
2000Reactabond RebelSome Picture – Droopys Larraine 25.4911-10f
2001Reactabond Ace El Premier – Droopys Kylie 25.72 6-1
2002Bocelli Chart King – Minnies Oxana 25.41 13-2
2003Slinky Droopys Merson – Kylies Sonia 25.89 6-1
2004Fire Height Dan Carlton Bale – September Mist 25.464-5f
2005Fear No One Toms The Best – Step and Go 25.41 5-4f
2006Too Risky Daves Mentor – Micks Bozz Lady 25.66 6-4
2007Westmead Prince Droopys Kewell – Mega Delight 25.29 4-5f
2008Me Buddy Ballymac Maeve – Ballymac Peg 25.81 2-1f
2009Barnfield Rocky Hades Rocket – Ballymac Floss Sam Poots (Private) 25.31 7-2
2010Total Reality Crash – Noirs Magic 25.50 5-1
2011Monleek Sloopy Brett Lee – Razldazl Pearl David Pruhs (Peterborough)25.44 11-2
2016Holdem Rio [19] Crash - Cornamaddy MaidHeather Dimmock (Peterborough) 26.247-2
(1992-2011 420 metres), (2016 435 metres), (1999 & 2012–2015, 2017-18 not Run)

Track records

Current

width=50Distance
metres		width=200Greyhoundwidth=50Timewidth=150Datewidth=200Notes
235 Rotar Wing [20] 13.95 09 Oct 2010
250 Kooga Kafka [21] 14.80 31 May 2019
420 Mountjoy Rock [22] 24.88 06 Aug 2011Peterborough Derby final
435 Kooga Klammer [23] 25.68 18 Oct 2017
605 Bower Surfer [24] 37.10 12 Sep 2009Puppy Cesarewitch final
620 Sensual [25] 37.79 23 Nov 2018
790 Greenacre Lin [26] 49.61 14 May 2005
805 Romany Rouge [27] 50.68 16 Nov 2016
975 Jangos Snowdrop [28] 63.15 07 Jun 2008
420 H I'm Henry [29] 25.85 17 May 1997
Previous[30]

References

52.5689°N -0.2214°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Track Search. Greyhound Board of Great Britain. 24 December 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20111225034358/http://www.gbgb.org.uk/tracks.aspx. 25 December 2011. dmy-all.
  2. Web site: Race Nights. Peterborough Greyhounds.
  3. Web site: PETERBOROUGH CLOSES- FULL STATEMENT. Greyhound Star.
  4. Web site: Coronavirus: Peterborough greyhound track to close. BBC.
  5. News: A New Track Opened at Peterborough, 8 April 1931. 1931. Peterborough Citizen.
  6. Book: Barnes, Julia. Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, pages 116-117. 1988. Ringpress Books. 0-948955-15-5.
  7. Book: Particulars of Licensed tracks, table 1 Licensed Dog Racecourses. 1946. Licensing Authorities.
  8. Book: Furby, R. Independent Greyhound Racing, page 55. 1968. New Dominion House.
  9. Book: Genders, Roy. NGRC book of Greyhound Racing, page 51. 1990. Pelham Books Ltd. 0-7207-1804-X.
  10. Web site: Greyhound Star (Remember When - February 1989). Greyhound Star.
  11. News: Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When) April edition. 2012. Greyhound Star.
  12. Web site: Remember When. Greyhound Star.
  13. Web site: Greyhound Star (Remember When November 2008). Greyhound Star.
  14. Web site: BAGS Track Championship 3rd for Hove!. Norah Mac Racing.
  15. Web site: Arc Schedule Released. Greyhound Star.
  16. Web site: PETERBOROUGH STATEMENT TO TRAINERS. Greyhound Star.
  17. Book: Fry, Paul. The Official NGRC Greyhound Racing Yearbook. 1995. 28. Ringpress Books. 186054-010-4.
  18. Web site: Peterborough Derby. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  19. Web site: THE WILLIAM HILL/UNDERGROUND GREYHOUNDS PETERBOROUGH PUPPY DERBY 2016 FINAL. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  20. Web site: 235 track record. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  21. Web site: best of the Year. Greyhound Star.
  22. Web site: 420 track record. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  23. Web site: 435 track record. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  24. Web site: 605 track record. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  25. Web site: 620 track record. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  26. Web site: 790 track record. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  27. Web site: 805 track record. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  28. Web site: 975 track record. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  29. Web site: 420mH track record. Greyhound Data.
  30. Web site: Track records. Greyhound Data.
  31. Web site: 250 track record. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  32. Web site: 2018 - equal 250 track record. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  33. Web site: Remember When - October 1984. Greyhound Star.
  34. Web site: Track record. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.

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