Racegoers in Sunderland will celebrate greyhound racing’s centenary in the UK next month with a sparkling programme of events to lure crowds trackside to one of Britain’s favourite pastimes.
Almost 100 years have passed since Mistley won the first modern greyhound race in the UK at Belle Vue Stadium in Manchester on July 24, 1926.
It was 14 years later when greyhound racing was introduced to Sunderland, with the Newcastle Road venue built at a cost of £60,000 - £3million in today’s money – ahead of its grand opening on March 23, 1940.
Eighty-six years after Percheron won the first race, officials at the track are gearing up to mark the sport’s centenary with racing in July scheduled every Friday night and Sunday daytime.
The track has even slashed the price of its Trackside Restaurant three-course meal hospitality package to £19.26 per person, in recognition of the sport’s birth year.
It comes after Sunderland hosts the £7,500 Arena Racing Company Puppy Trophy on Friday, June 26, with other major competitions throughout the year including the £12,500 Grand Prix in April and £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing Classic in November.
Joanne Wilson, General Manager at Sunderland Stadium, said: “July signals a historic moment for greyhound racing, and we are anticipating a bumper month trackside.
“While our sport – and other pursuits in life – have undergone significant change in the last century, greyhound racing’s fundamentals remain the same with the dogs at the heart of everything we do.
“Our racing operation touches millions of people worldwide every week.
“But July presents a perfect opportunity for racegoers to get themselves trackside and experience the thrill of the chase in person.
“It’s a fantastic, family friendly, night out people of all ages can enjoy.”
Greyhound racing exploded after World War II, with crowds of up to 92,000 turning up to watch fixtures at showcase venues including White City Stadium, Walthamstow and nearby Newcastle.
Greyhound racing is even credited with saving Wembley Stadium from demolition in the 1920s when the sport’s introduction ensured the national stadium’s operators avoided liquidation.
More recently, champion racer Westmead Hawk became the first animal athlete to receive his own waxwork at Madame Tussauds in London.
And the sport cut the ribbon on its newest venue - Dunstall Park Greyhound Stadium in Wolverhampton, a sister facility to Sunderland – in September 2025.
Joanne added: “Greyhound racing is a firm part of the UK’s sporting culture.
“We are proud to not only operate as one of the longest running venues in the country, but also lead the way from a welfare point of view and provide outstanding levels of care and love at all stages of a greyhound’s life.
“They make the perfect pets in retirement, which we’re proud to facilitate by working closely with our homing partners who ensure each dog finds its perfect, forever, home when its racing career ends.
“Our team will showcase this and more to racegoers through our centenary celebrations for visitors old and new.”
Sunderland Greyhound Stadium’s full fixture list to mark greyhound racing’s centenary can be viewed online via www.sunderland-greyhounds.co.uk.
Doors open at 6pm on Tuesday and Friday evenings, while racing on Sundays begins at 11.09am.
