The new look Brandywell Greyhound Race Track.
THERE will be a packed house this Thursday as a fresh era begins at the new Brandywell Greyhound Track with the first official greyhound meeting takes place.
The former track was closed and demolished as part of the Brandywell Stadium development project.
It is now replaced by a state-of-the-art new track on the Showgrounds side of the grounds.
Mayor Maoliosa McHugh said today: “I was delighted and proud to perform the official opening of the redevelopment works at Brandywell Stadium and Greyhound Track.”
There will be ten races on the card at Thursday’s meeting with the first race at 8.00 pm.
Over the past two months private schooling trails have been taking place on the new track, and the reaction has been very positive.
In November 2016, greyhound racing came to an end at Brandywell Stadium after 50 years.
The opening of the new track will usher in a new era for the sport that has a long tradition in Derry.
Greyhound racing was first launched in the city in 1932, and it was a licenced greyhound track from 1947.
In 1969 the track closed down, and the stadium was constantly targeted by vandals in the 1970s. It had traditionally attracted cross-community support.
A committee was formed at that time by local greyhound enthusiasts who worked to refurbish and reopen the Brandywell to keep the greyhound racing going.
Race nights were traditionally held every Monday and Thursday, with public and private trials afterwards and on a Saturday morning
It is hoped that the new track will foster a renewed interest in the sport, and place Derry firmly back on the greyhound map.
And with a brand new track, that means that new records will be officially recorded – certainly an added incentive for owners in the weeks and months ahead.
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