We’ll be taking an in-depth look at greyhound racing in the coming weeks, with interviews and profiles of some of the leading figures in the sport. To kick us off, here’s a rake of stuff to get you in the know.
The Venues
– There are 19 greyhound racing stadiums in Ireland.
– Two of those are in Dublin (Shelbourne Park and Harold’s Cross)
– There are seven greyhound stadiums across Munster: Cork, Limerick, Tralee, Waterford, Youghal, Clonmel and Thurles.
– In Leinster, there is regular greyhound racing at Mullingar, Dundalk, Kilkenny, Longford, Newbridge and Enniscorthy.
– In the west and north, you’ll find greyhound racing at Galway, Derry, Lifford and Drumbo Park in Lisburn.
The Surface
– The sand used on greyhound tracks in Ireland is a fine silica sand, preferred to grass for a number of reasons, most important of which is that it dramatically reduces the risk of injuries to the dogs. The sand also allows them to compete all year round.
– There’s also a 2-3 percent clay content, which helps to retain moisture, binding the fine sand particles together, which in turn provides better purchase/grip for the dogs, especially when running on the bends
The Hare
– The hare system ( of course it’s not a real hare…) has two main parts: the hare rail which the “lure” – effectively the mechanism – runs on, and the computerised controls.
– The lure is pulled around the track on a wire rope which runs between two tyres turned by an electric motor. It’s all controlled in the hare drive room which is usually situated in a high vantage point in the stadium.
– The hare driver selects the required race distance on the control panel and after the traps have opened varies the speed the lure runs in relation to the dog that is in 1st position during the race.
The Traps
– The traps are fully automated and work with the assistance of pneumatic rams.
– The trap lids open when the lure passes a switch which is fixed to the hare rail behind the traps.
Want to know more? Here’s five completely random facts about greyhounds
– A racing greyhound is the second fastest animal in the world with speeds up to 38 miles per hour. Or quicker than the speed limit in our towns and cities.
– Greyhounds’ origins go back some time – they’re the only dog breed mentioned by name in the Bible.
– The very first winner of Best in Show at Crufts, in 1928, was Primeley Square, a greyhound owned by one H Whitley.
– Perhaps the most famous greyhound of them all is Santa’s Little Helper in the Simpsons.
– The music band Blur are keen greyhound supporters and their 1994 Album Parklife has Greyhound Racing on the album cover.
For details and information on fixtures, tickets and a whole lot more, visit www.igb.ie.
