British betting and racing communities pay respects to Lord David Lipsey
The peer and greyhound racing advocate has died age 77.
UK.- The betting and racing communities have paid tributes to Lord David Lipsey, a Labour peer and strong advocate for the greyhound racing sector. Lord Lipsey died while swimming in the River Wye in Wales. He was aged 77.
Lipsey had a long career in journalism and politics, serving as a special adviser to Labour minister and diarist Anthony Crosland and on the staff at 10 Downing Street under Jim Callaghan in the 1970s. He was credited with coining the phrases “New Labour” and “winter of discontent”, the latter referring to the industrial disputes of the winter of 1978/9. He was awarded a life peerage by Tony Blair in 1999.
He was a fan of harness racing and greyhound racing, serving as president of the British Harness Racing Club from 2008 to 2016 and chair of the British Greyhound Racing Board (later the Greyhound Board of Great Britain) from 2004 to 2009. He later co-founded the media group Premier Greyhound Racing (PGR) and served as its Chair until 2024.
Lipsey played an important role in promoting welfare initiatives in greyhound racing, including rehoming programs. These laid the groundwork for schemes such as the Greyhound Retirement Scheme and the A Good Life for Every Greyhound campaign. Lipsey was a strong critic of financial risk checks for online gambling, arguing that they could have a detrimental effect on the greyhound sector.
BGC chief executive Grainne Hurst said: “Lord Lipsey brought clarity, compassion, and intellectual rigour to every discussion. His commitment to greyhound welfare and evidence-based policy made him a trusted voice across the sector.”
PGR’s managing director, Garry Nash, said: “David had a great love for the greyhound, and for greyhound racing as a whole. His passion began with his first visit to the track and deepened when he brought home his first greyhound. His leadership was marked by wisdom, professionalism, and a warm sense of humour.”
Entain UK managing director Andy Hicks said: “Lord Lipsey’s leadership helped shape a modern, responsible vision for greyhound racing – one that honoured tradition while embracing innovation and animal welfare.”
