First dual horse and greyhound racing fixture dubbed “huge success” at Wolverhampton's Dunstall Park
Arena Racing Company hailed Saturday’s first dual horse and greyhound racing fixture at Wolverhampton Racecourse as a huge success, with footfall up 43 per cent year-on-year.
Racegoers turned out in force to be part of the 25th running of the £60,000 BetMGM Lady Wulfruna Stakes, which was followed in the evening by a 12-race greyhound card headlined by the inaugural Lady Wulfruna Trophy.
It marked the first time both sports operated on the same day to the public since ARC completed its major multi-million pound project to open the UK’s first brand-new greyhound racing track – which is located in the centre of the racecourse within viewing distance of the grandstand - in more than a decade.
Champion jockey Oisin Murphy shined on the day, winning the Lady Wulfruna Stakes for a second time onboard the Andrew Balding trained Cool Hoof Luke – setting the fastest winning time the race had seen since 2016 in the process.
The day’s feature greyhound race meanwhile went the way of Droopys Expected, who won his first Category Three competition when beating defending Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks champion Butlers Lane to the line.
Chris Black, General Manager at Dunstall Park Greyhound Stadium, was thrilled with the public response.
“Twelve months ago, ground hadn’t even been broken on the UK’s newest greyhound racing track,” said Chris.
“Now, we’re engaging new audiences by linking arms with our colleagues in horse racing, and Saturday’s first dual fixture was an overwhelming success.
“Having the opportunity to showcase both disciplines on one day is great for our sports and the regional economy with racegoers travelling from across the UK to be trackside.
“We have every intention of repeating the occasion in the future, and we thank those who joined us to mark a historic moment for Wolverhampton Racecourse and the city more broadly.”
There was a special moment on the day too for 2024 Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks champion Druids Say Go, now known as Sally by her owners in retirement Mike and Rachel Gould.
The legendary racer met Cllr Craig Collingswood – Lord Mayor of Wolverhampton – ahead of racing and five-times champion jockey Oisin Murphy, plus racegoers on the day who engaged in discussion about how greyhounds make great pets in retirement.
Much-loved Irish folk bank Radio Murphy kept crowds entertained while the venue’s grounds team completed a 40-minute turnaround to have provisions in place for the greyhound fixture.
David Ideson, Executive Director at Wolverhampton Racecourse, added: “Saturday was a real highlight in our 138-year history of hosting racing at Dunstall Park.
“It marked the beginning of a busy period for our team, with St Patrick’s Day celebrations on Tuesday and our first Friday Night Live scheduled 72 hours later – both featuring bumper cards.
“Adding greyhound racing to our existing horse racing fixtures, plus our venue hire, hospitality and hotel provisions has only strengthened our capacity to operate as a true multi-functional, seven-day-a-week, community venue.”
Dunstall Park Greyhound Stadium hosts its next major fixture on Saturday, April 11, when it hosts the 92nd renewal of the Arena Racing Company Laurels. Tickets for finals night are available online via www.dunstallpark-greyhounds.co.uk.
Doors open at 5.30pm, with the first of 12 races on the night off at 6.20pm.
