Peterborough Greyhound Stadium
Introduction '''Peterborough Greyhound Stadium''' was a greyhound racing track located in Fengate, less than a mile from the centre of Peterborough, England.Racing at the stadium took place every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night with racing starting at 7:30 pm.On Tuesday 19 May 2020, the stadium announced that it would cease trading with immediate effect after 75 years.Peterborough Greyhound Stadium c.1980
Origins and opening The Liberty of Peterborough was an historic area comprising around thirty parishes, and it was in 1931 that the Peterborough Racing Club opened their new greyhound track within the Liberty. The venue was described as being off Star Road which is misleading because although this is in the Fengate area the actual track was off the Fengate Road. The plot of land chosen for the track was in south-east Fengate directly north of Peterborough Corporation sewage pumping station. The opening night was on Saturday 4 April 1931, consisting of twelve races. The managing director was G Hooke and organised racing was held every Monday and Saturday which consisted mainly of greyhounds but also whippet races.The first ever winner was a greyhound called 'Dewdrop'. The second meeting on Monday 6 April was recorded as being a record crowd for the area with 400 being present. Racing continued up until the war with a maximum capacity of 700 being able to attend the track. It is also reported that facilities were very basic with the hare still being moved around the track by the power of two men cycling.
History After the war there was a major milestone for the track when Reg Perkins from a farming and transport business family and George Ellingworth a garage owner purchased the track in 1945 and quickly began to improve facilities. The purchase came at the right time because greyhound racing hit its peak in 1946 and it is known that one year later in 1947 the track had a totalisator turnover of £49,719.By this time it was also known as the Peterborough Sports Stadium and Reg Perkins took sole control several years later following the death of George Ellingworth.The racing continued independent of the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) but remained popular with the local population and by the sixties the stadium offered licensed bars and refreshments, photo finish apparatus and on course bookmakers and an 'Outside Sumner' hare. The immediate area also underwent major changes with industrial units appearing with frequent regularity and a road called First Drove serving as the entrance to the stadium.In 1977 Reg Perkins retired leaving the day-to-day management to his sons Rex and David with racing on Tuesday and Saturday evenings at 7.15pm. Track distances at this time were 275, 475 & 675 yards and there were now nine track bookmakers. The second major milestone arrived in 1982 following the decision of the management to join the NGRC permit scheme that was in operation at the time. This allowed smaller tracks to run under NGRC rules at reduced rates and was the catalyst for Peterborough to improve in stature. In 1983 the Peterborough Derby was inaugurated and soon became a very popular event at the track. The stadium reputation began to grow and Rex Perkins was elected the Mayor of Peterborough from 1987 and with his wife Margaret raised thousands of pounds for charities.
Renovation In 1988 grand plans were unveiled by local architects T. E. Titman Associates for a new grandstand and restaurant and following the completion of the half a million pounds project. The 'Raceview Restaurant' could seat 200 with a further 600 seats available on the glass fronted grandstand.
Recent history John 'Ginger' McGee Sr. joined the track and the Irishman won Greyhound Trainer of the Year in 1991 whilst attached to Peterborough. In 1998 Racing Manager Mike Middle left the track to assist with a new track at Wisbech Greyhound Stadium and was replaced by Con Baker. On 24 March 1999 the stadium suffered severe damage when a fire spread from an adjoining warehouse and destroyed two bars, a tote booth and a 250-person seating area. The damage resulted in a six-month closure but the management remained positive and rebuilt and refurbished, re-opening on the 21 September 1999.2003 was a pivotal year for the track because Rex Perkins died after a long illness and his son Richard and nephew Rob dedicated a new £3 million extension to his name. The raceview seating area could now hold 1,000 spectators and corporate boxes were also added. Peterborough dropped Tuesday night racing in 2008 and was rewarded with a Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhound Service (BAGS) contract in 2012.At the end of 2014 the track became BAGS national champions after defeating five other tracks in the final at Nottingham Greyhound Stadium.In 2018 the stadium signed a deal with ARC to race every Wednesday evening.
Closure The track closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and when racing returned (18 May) following the lock-down Peterborough announced that they would not be re-opening until they sought further clarification from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain. The concerns over the financial implication of racing behind closed doors was evident and the following day (20 May) the Perkins family announced the permanent closure of the track.
Competitions ===Peterborough Derby===+YearWinnerBreedingTrainerTimeSPNotes1983Dutch Jet    Indian Joe – Flying Socks	Jean Talmage (Rye House)  26.11	10-11984 Decoy Moon   Decoy Sovereign – Tibbys Girl	Pam Cobbold (Private)                           25.92	4-11985 Decoy Tulip  Decoy Sovereign – Tibbys Girl	Pam Cobbold (Private)                           26.12	14-11986Stylish StartYellow Band – Flying Chick	Jean Talmage (Private)                          26.28	5-2f1987 Quick JudgementBlushing Spy - Marsena	        Linda Pruhs - Peterborough                      26.61	7-11988 Lissadell TigerBold Work –Cleonas Style	 Ernie Gaskin Sr. (Private)    25.80	4-6f1989 Sky JackKyle Jack – Kingdom Flower	        David Pruhs - Peterborough                      26.62	6-11990Bolt HomeMurlens Slippy – Supreme Peg	        Ernie Gaskin Sr. (Private)     26.02	5-11991 Chief CanaryEasy And Slow – Champagne Lady	Kim Marlow (Milton Keynes)  25.77	5-21992 Pineapple MagicI'm Slippy – Michigan Moira	Michael Compton (Private)  25.80	4-5f1993 Gentle WarningGlen Park Dancer – Gentle Sarah	 John McGee Sr. (Reading)  25.76	3-11994 Highway LeaderLeaders Best – Highway Mystery	Michael Bacon (Perry Barr) 25.47	7-4jf1995 Gold BusterDaleys Gold – Spot The Blue	Nigel Saunders (Belle Vue)   25.81	5-11996 Dynamic FairFair Boot – Seventh Dynamic	Patsy Byrne -(Wimbledon)   25.46	6-11997 Dynamic FairFair Boot – Seventh Dynamic	Patsy Byrne (Wimbledon)   25.45	7-21998Spoonbill SnoweyRight Wish – Clohast Wish	Michael Bacon (Perry Barr)   25.20	4-6f2000 Reactabond RebelSome Picture – Droopys LarrainePaul Young (Romford)   25.78	11-10f2001 Kinda Magic Deep Decision - Enchantment	 Linda Jones (Walthamstow)   25.523-12002 Letter SlippyShanless Slippy – Slick City	Patsy Byrne (Wimbledon)   25.57	2-12003 Tims Crow	Lenson Lad – Churchtown Spice	Peter Rich (Romford)	25.59	4-5f2004 Run On TrooperSplit the Bill – Oddsonlookon	Mick Mavrias (Sittingbourne)	25.73	6-12005 Fear No One Toms The Best – Step And Go	 Mark Wallis (Walthamstow)   25.41	5-4f2006 Too RiskyDaves Mentor – Micks Bozz Lady	Mick Puzey (Walthamstow)  25.66	6-42007 Westmead PrinceDroopys Kewell – Mega Delight	Nick Savva (Private)   25.29	4-5f2008 Me BuddyBallymac Maeve – Ballymac Peg 	Matt Dartnall (Reading)  25.71	2-1f2009 Salisman	Droopys Agassi – Droopys NatashaJulie Calvert (Sunderland)	25.17	6-12010 Lainedans Flyer	Droopys Vieri – Westmead SwiftPaul Young (Romford)	25.26	11-22011 Mountjoy Rock	Black Shaw – Noelles Amarillo	Elaine Parker (Sheffield)	24.88	9-2Track record2012 Lil Risky	Ballymac Maeve-Risk The Town	Mark Wallis (Yarmouth)	24.99	7-4f2013 Frisby Barney	Head Bound – Airport Boss	David Pruhs - Peterborough	25.69	1-2fTrack record2017 Hiya Butt Hondo Black - Hather for Pat Hayley Keightley (Private) 25.771-2f(1983-2012 420 metres), (2013-2017 435 metres), (2014-16 & 2018 not held)===Peterborough Puppy Derby===+YearWinnerBreedingTrainerTimeSPNotes1992 Bagshot Boozer	I'm Slippy – Pilgrims Joy		        25.90  1993 Sure Fantasy	Phantom Flash – Lively Spark		        25.83  1994 Pams Silver	Skelligs Tiger – Cosy And Warm		  25.58  1995 Slick Mick	Staplers Jo - Aughaderney Mona		  25.74  1996 Spring Gamble	Slaneyside Hare – Spring Season		  25.41  1997 Lenson Billy	Slaneyside Hare – Ballydaly Flyer	    Norah McEllistrim (Wimbledon)	25.41	7-21998Del Piero	Droopys Sandy – Audi Turbo	            Linda Mullins (Walthamstow)	25.60	4-5f2000 Reactabond RebelSome Picture – Droopys Larraine	    Paul Young (Romford)	25.49	11-10f2001 Reactabond Ace	El Premier – Droopys Kylie	            Paul Young (Romford)	25.72	6-12002 Bocelli	        Chart King – Minnies Oxana	            Dinky Luckhurst (Crayford)		25.41	13-22003 Slinky	        Droopys Merson – Kylies Sonia	            Paul Young (Romford)	25.89	6-12004 Fire Height Dan	Carlton Bale – September Mist	            Mick Puzey (Walthamstow)	25.46	4-5f2005 Fear No One	Toms The Best – Step and Go	     Mark Wallis (Walthamstow)	25.41	5-4f2006 Too Risky	Daves Mentor – Micks Bozz Lady	    Mick Puzey (Walthamstow)	25.66	6-42007 Westmead Prince	Droopys Kewell – Mega Delight	             Nick Savva (Henlow)	25.29	4-5f2008 Me Buddy	Ballymac Maeve – Ballymac Peg	            Matt Dartnall (Reading)	25.81	2-1f2009 Barnfield Rocky	Hades Rocket – Ballymac Floss	            Sam Poots (Private)	25.31	7-22010 Total Reality	Crash – Noirs Magic	                    John Simpson (Wimbledon)	25.50	5-12011 Monleek Sloopy	Brett Lee – Razldazl Pearl	            David Pruhs (Peterborough)25.44	11-22016 Holdem Rio  Crash - Cornamaddy Maid Heather Dimmock (Peterborough)  26.247-2 (1992-2011 420 metres), (2016 435 metres), (1999 & 2012–2015, 2017-18 not Run)
Track records '''Current''' Distancemetres Greyhound Time Date Notes235	Rotar Wing  13.95	09 Oct 2010250	Kooga Kafka 14.80	31 May 2019420	Mountjoy Rock  24.88	06 Aug 2011Peterborough Derby final435	Kooga Klammer 25.68	18 Oct 2017605	Bower Surfer 37.10	12 Sep 2009Puppy Cesarewitch final620	Sensual 37.79	23 Nov 2018790	Greenacre Lin 49.61	14 May 2005805	Romany Rouge 50.68	16 Nov 2016975	Jangos Snowdrop 63.15	07 Jun 2008420 H	I'm Henry 	25.85	17 May 1997'''Previous''' Distancemetres Greyhound Time Date Notes235		Ports Delight	14.46	24 Sep 1983235	Small Song	14.44	1989235	I'm From Tallow	14.39	18 Jun 1990235	Mount Royal Fox14.31	19 Feb 1995	235	Razldazl Eddie14.28	11 Aug 2007235	DisBestBoy 14.19	08 Sep 2007235	Rotar Wing14.05	08 Aug 2009235Rotar Wing 13.95	21 Apr 2010	250	Monleek Town 14.87	27 Feb 2013250	Waspinajar 14.85	17 Apr 2013250	Scala Rodge 14.85	14 Sep 2018420	Siroco25.68	03 Mar 1984	420	Bali Hai Chief  	10.1984	Fengate Collar final420		Town View Spring	25.58	29 Apr 1986	420		Slippy King	25.51	21 Jul 1990	420		Daleys Whisper	25.51	12 Oct 1990	420		Highway Leader	25.15	30 Jul 1994	420		Westmead Logan25.15	24 Apr 2009	420		Little Sensation25.05	28 Jul 2010	Peterborough Derby Heats420		Fancy Socks25.02	23 Apr 2011	Peterborough Derby semi-final435		Frisby Barney25.99	27 Mar 2013	435	Ramodi 25.97	17 Apr 2013	435	Bay City Impact25.95	22 May 2013	435Frisby Barney25.69	03 Aug 2013Peterborough Derby Final605	Decoy Lassie	37.71	04 Apr 1985	605	My Boy Mac	37.51	17 Mar 1990	605	Simply Free	37.24	12 Sep 1994	605	Glencoes Tom    37.11	09 Apr 2002	620	Ballymac Eliza 38.03	28 Oct 2017790	Aidans Choice	50.32	27 Sep 1983790	Gold Sash	50.24	04 Sep 1989790	Poor Sue	50.21	26 Jun 1991790	Poor Sue	50.10	01 Jul 1991	790	Fortunate Man	49.66	15 Jun 1992	805	Rearguard Bond	51.36	01 Nov 2014	975	Red Boss	64.08	19 Oct 1987	975Lenas Cadet	63.30	19 Nov 1988	420 HGis A Smile	25.90	27 Jun 1994
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