Derry Greyhounds: Greyhound community visits Stormont ahead of its centenary

A delegation representing Greyhound Racing Constituents Northern Ireland (GRCNI) travelled to Stormont, the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly, for a celebratory event on Monday, 16 February.

Greyhound Racing will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in Northern Ireland next year. Celtic Park opened on Easter Monday 1927 and was the first greyhound stadium to operate in the province.

The purpose of this Stormont visit was to celebrate the rich culture and history of greyhound racing and to enable cross-community enthusiasts to discuss their care, dedication, and passion for the thoroughbred greyhound with Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).

As this centenary milestone approaches, the GRCNI highlighted to MLAs that there are two greyhound stadiums currently operating in NI: Drumbo Park and Brandywell. They explained that these are more than just venues for racing enthusiasts to meet; they are specialist facilities where track surfaces and electric lure systems are diligently maintained year-round to prioritise safety.

As required by Northern Ireland’s animal welfare laws, animals must be able to express their instinctive behaviours. The tracks therefore provide a suitable environment for these athletic canine sighthounds to run with agility at speeds of 40 mph, chasing by sight as part of a pack.

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MLAs from across the parties who attended the event shared a variety of positive responses on social media. They valued the direct engagement with GRCNI and its openness to future discussion, acknowledged the deep cultural heritage and multi-generational significance of greyhound racing in NI, and noted the community’s dedication to continually improving welfare standards. They also commented on the social importance of greyhound racing to those involved and on how caring for greyhounds has become a way of life for enthusiasts.

The visit marks a significant moment of recognition for greyhound racing as it prepares for its centenary celebrations. With its cultural roots affirmed and its commitment to open dialogue communicated to lawmakers, the GRCNI will be looking to this centenary not just as a celebration of the past, but as a foundation for a sustainable future for the thoroughbred greyhound.

The weather disrupted race meetings across the country over the weekend, but Lifford succeeded in staging its SIS card without incident on Sunday evening. On a twelve-race programme, the standout performance came from a notable double for trainer Paul Whyte.

The first of the handler’s winners was the evergreen Stellas Secret, who secured the seventeenth victory of her career. Now five years of age, the daughter of Vulturi – Tyrur Lucille defied any suggestion of decline with a sharp break from trap four, clocking a brisk 2.61 sectional.

She quickly opened daylight down the back and, although Run On Bean applied late pressure, the early advantage proved decisive as ‘Stella’ held on by a length and a quarter in 30.00 on a surface rated .30 slow.

Lifford; Race 4 - A5 525 was won by STELLAS SECRET in 30.00. Pictured with (from left) Rachel McNulty, Keegan, Harry, Kyra & Ruairi Whyte.

The double followed in the very next race as Fridays Kobbie produced one of the standout runs of the night. Sent off at 100/30, ‘Kobbie’ tracked the leaders before asserting at the three-quarter mark. From there, the son of Ballymac Bolger – Fridays Pet pulled clear in impressive fashion to score by six and three-quarter lengths in 29.73 (.30s).

Fastest time of the session went to Ray Hamilton’s Dodos Mate, who rewarded supporters after a sequence of short-priced defeats. Dropping in class and drawn in trap three, she disputed the early lead with Golden Cheetah before asserting halfway down the back straight, her stamina proving decisive. Dodos Mate, a daughter of Ballymac Bolger – Elicit Speed, powered to a comfortable three and three-quarter-length success in 29.62 (.30s).

Lifford Race 11 - A7 525 was won by SHES A SHOWGIRL in 30.59. Pictured with (from left). Rhylie Mc Bride, Nicole Stewart, Rhianna Mc Bride & Caeleen Anderson.

The greyhound racing community is mourning the loss of Angela McLaughlin, a beloved figure at the Brandywell Greyhound Stadium for many years, known for her warm welcomes and kindness to all. Tributes have flooded social media from those grieving her loss. We extend our deepest condolences to Angela’s family and friends, especially to her brothers Denis, Michael and Brian, and her wider family circle who are part of the fabric of the Brandywell community.

As a mark of respect, the greyhound racing scheduled for last Monday at Brandywell was cancelled.