Iconic British greyhound racing track to host final race on Saturday
Perry Barr hosts its last race before the move to Dunstall Park
UK.- Greyhound racing enthusiasts will bid farewell to an iconic venue tomorrow (Saturday) night as Birmingham’s Perry Barr hosts its last race meeting almost a century after the sport arrived in the city. The hare will run for one final time at 10.11pm before the historic track relocates its racing operation to Dunstall Park in Wolverhampton.
The track’s management have planned an End of an Era race night with 12 live races. A selection of photos and memories will be on display and an after-party will be held to see the venue off.
The track’s former venue, the Birchfield Ladbroke Stadium, opened its doors in 1929. The present stadium opened in 1990, and greyhound racing has been held there since, including prestigious competitions like the St Leger, an event originally held at Wembley Stadium, and the Laurels. Racing will resume at Dunstall Park with the new venue’s first customer fixture on Friday, September 19.
General manager Chris Black said: “It will be an emotional evening I’m sure. We’ve known our long-term future sits in Wolverhampton for some time, but to be closing in on our final race night suddenly makes it feel real. This stadium holds many great memories for the hundreds of thousands of people who have passed through our turnstiles over the years.
“This is our final opportunity to celebrate this ahead of our exciting move to Dunstall Park next month which will mark the beginning of a new era for our operation, and the sport generally as we engage new faces and bring greyhound racing to a wider audience.
“We want Saturday to be a true celebration of Perry Barr. I’m sure there won’t be many dry eyes in the house when the greyhounds cross the line for one final time, but we’re determined to put on a good show and give her the sendoff she deserves.”
Perry Barr has been home to many historic sporting moments over the years. More than 15,000 people attended opening night, and in 1954 it witnessed Diane Leather become the first female athlete to run a mile in less than five minutes, only 23 days after the late Sir Roger Bannister became the first man to run a sub four-minute mile.
The track also made headlines on June 1 2020 when I’m Sophie won the first recognised sporting event to take place after lockdown restrictions prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last month, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) announced the appointment of Sir Philip Davies as its next chair. He will take up the post on September 1, replacing Jeremy Cooper.
Sir Philip served as Conservative MP for Shipley in West Yorkshire between 2005 and 2024 during which time he sat on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee as well as the Panel of Chairs. He has been chair of Star Sports Group since losing his seat in parliament in last year’s general election.
His appointment comes at a crucial moment for the sport in the UK, with plans already announced to ban greyhound racing in Wales. The GBGB has submitted a legal challenge to the Administrative Court for Wales in a bid to prevent the ban.
