Valley Greyhound Stadium

Valley Greyhound Stadium
Location	Twyn Road, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, CF82 7SP Wales
Coordinates	51°37′57.7″N 3°13′57.6″W / 51.632694°N 3.232667°W
Construction
Opened	1976
Renovated	2011
Website
	https://valleygreyhounds.org/

The Valley Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing stadium in Twyn Road, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, Wales. In 2023, the stadium became affiliated to the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB).

Location

The track, known as 'The Valley', is on Twyn Road (CF82 7SP) sandwiched between the Caerphilly Road and A469 and the east bank of the Rhymney River (on the north side of the Dyffryn Business Park).^[1]

Licensing

It is the only remaining greyhound racing track in Wales and, until August 2023, was independent (not affiliated to the GBGB but, instead, licensed by the local authority). In August 2023, it received a licensing regulation from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain^[2]

History

Planning for the stadium was given during April 1975.^[3] The stadium opened to greyhound racing on 20 July 1976, with the first ever winner being a greyhound called 'Boss' who won in a time of 19.20 seconds over 310 yards.^[4] The circuit was 410 yards in circumference consisting of race distances of 310, 515 and 720 yards. The track also staged occasional '100 yard dash' races. The principal events held at the track were the Welsh Greyhound Derby (the richest greyhound race in Wales) and the Glamorgan Cup.^[5] In 2011, the stadium underwent a significant renovation including an indoor lounge with seating, panoramic viewing, television race replay monitors and a fully licensed bar.

In February 2020, flooding caused a temporary closure after the Rhymney River burst its banks,.^[6] However, the greyhound owners and supporters put in hundreds of hours of voluntary work to help repair the racing surface and repaint the stadium, which reopened only three weeks later. In 2021, restrictions imposed by the Welsh Government to combat the coronavirus pandemic meant that the stadium had to shut for 161 days. When it reopened on 22 May 2021 the first post-lockdown meeting sold out.^[7]

In October 2019, Star Sports Bookmakers (sponsors of the English Greyhound Derby) announced an interest in acquiring the Valley Greyhound Stadium with a view to its operating as a Greyhound Board of Great Britain licensed track in 2021.^[8] However, the economic crisis caused by 2020's COVID pandemic led to the plans being shelved.

In December 2021, Dave Barclay (owner and promoter of Harlow Stadium), announced that he had completed a deal to buy the Valley Greyhound Stadium with a view to its operating as a Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) licensed track by the end of 2023.^[9]^[10] In the meantime, the stadium continued to stage independent greyhound racing every week. The final 'flapping' race took place on 29 July 2023, when a puppy called Pandy Charlie won the last independent race at the track.

In August 2023, the stadium received licensing regulation from the GBGB^[2] and held their first under rules on 3 November 2023. The first winner was Catunda Spirit.^[11]

Present racing

Racing usually takes place on Saturday evenings. Major competitions are held regularly and licensed bookmakers attended every meeting. The venue is popular with families with free entry for children. Greyhound owners and trainers encouraged children to interact with the greyhounds after they had raced.^[12]