Valley Greyhound Stadium

The Valley Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing stadium in Twyn Road, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, Wales.

Valley Greyhound Stadium
LocationTwyn Road, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, CF82 7SP Wales
Coordinates51°37′57.7″N 3°13′57.6″W
Construction
Opened1976
Renovated2011
Website
http://www.valleygreyhounds.org

Location

The track, known as 'The Valley', is on Twyn Road (CF82 7SP) sandwiched between the Caerphilly Road and A469 and the east bank of the Rhymney River[1] (on the north side of the Dyffryn Business Park).

Licensing

It is the only remaining greyhound racing track in Wales and is independent (not affiliated to the Greyhound Board of Great Britain) but, instead, licensed by the local authority. Colloquially known as 'flapping', independent greyhound racing features local greyhounds racing at local tracks. The Valley Greyhound Stadium is one of only three independent (unaffiliated to a governing body) greyhound tracks remaining in the United Kingdom.

In October 2019, Star Sports Bookmakers (sponsors of the English Greyhound Derby) announced an interest in acquiring the Valley Greyhound Stadium with a view to its operating as a Greyhound Board of Great Britain licensed track in 2021.[2]

History

Planning for the stadium was given during April 1975.[3] The stadium opened to greyhound racing on 20 July 1976, with the first ever winner being a greyhound called 'Boss' who won in a time of 19.20 sec over 310 yards.[4] The circuit is 410 yards in circumference consisting of race distances of 310, 515 and 720 yards. The track also stages occasional '100 yard dash' races. The principal events held at the track are the Welsh Greyhound Derby (the richest greyhound race in Wales) and the Glamorgan Cup.[5] In 2011, the stadium underwent a significant renovation including an indoor lounge with seating, panoramic viewing, television race replay monitors and a fully licensed bar.

Present racing

Racing takes place on Saturday evenings - and many Thursday evenings, too - at 7.30pm (doors open at 6.30pm). Nowadays, greyhounds regularly break 17.00 seconds over 310 yards and 29.00 seconds over the standard distance of 515 yards. Major competitions are held regularly and licensed bookmakers attend every meeting. The venue is popular with families with free entry for children. Greyhound owners and trainers encourage children to interact with the greyhounds after they have raced.[6]

References
  1. "OS Plan 1983". old-maps.co.uk.
  2. "New track planned for Wales". Greyhound Star.
  3. "Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When 1975) April edition". Greyhound Star.
  4. "Remember When July". Greyhound Star.
  5. Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. p. 304. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
  6. "Official Website". Valley Greyhound Stadium.
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