Wimbledon closure could lead to big problems for Irish greyhound industry

The bid to retain a greyhound racing stadium at Wimbledon is in real trouble, according to businessman Paschal Taggart, who has written a letter to numerous publications this week, expressing concern at the potential failure.

In his letter, he points out that he has been told there is great support behind the return of Wimbledon AFC to the Plough Lane area but less obvious support behind the greyhound stadium and the plans that go with it.

He goes on to ask greyhound folk to lend their support by petitioning the persons involved in the decision, including current Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

Leaving all parties aside and concentrating solely on the industry on both sides of the Irish Sea, it’s vitally important to the health of Irish greyhound community that there is a consistent demand from Britain for Irish dogs.

Clearly, with the closure of previous tracks and the uncertain future of many more, greyhound racing comes a long way down the line in the list of priorities for the British government.

Of course, there isn’t a need for a top-of-the-range greyhound racing stadium in every small town but it’s incredible to think that there isn’t one such facility in London and, even beyond that, in every major city in the UK. It’s clearly a popular sport amongst punters but the value to the economy is not being realised.

If the bid to save Wimbledon comes to the same sticky end which befell Walthamstow, it’s not inconceivable that, in the future, a city with a population greater than this island could have no greyhound stadium whatsoever. And that, given the concentration of wealth, would be a huge problem for the industry in the UK and Ireland.

Some might argue that the case for Wimbledon is being overstated and, if the greyhound track closes, it’s just a case of looking for somewhere else. But it’s not that simple.

Although the stadium as it stands is a desperately unappealing place, Wimbledon itself has plenty of appeal, is easily accessible from London city centre, Gatwick Airport and, hence, many parts of Ireland. And the site itself has potential — advantages you cannot get just anywhere.

In better times, the best greyhounds were being bought and sold within Ireland or, because conditions allowed it, not being sold at all. This was more evident in the horse racing industry but it’s certainly changed in the greyhound game and these dogs must go where the money is.

London is a massive financial hub with the resources to delve in and out of the Irish market for big and small purchases. There are also greater opportunities for racers in Britain and, thus, the value of a greyhound may be greater in that market than it is in our own.

Take Pinpoint Maxi (Conna Kingsmill) as a current example. He showed very good form when runner-up to Farloe Calvin in the Juvenile Classic in Tralee and he has since been sold to England, where he is on the verge of amply rewarding his new owners’ investment.

He is odds-on to land tonight’s £25,000 William Hill Classic over 450 metres at Sunderland. A dog with brilliant early pace, he is ideally suited to this sort of trip and there just wouldn’t be an equivalent race (distance and prize-money) over here. A good deal all round.

He’s just one greyhound in a much grander scheme of things, but he serves to highlight the relevance big stakes and stadia in Britain have to the Irish scene.

It’s similar at all levels. Rejuvenation is the key to keeping any industry moving and in current times there isn’t the money to create a great enough demand in Ireland for the pups that are being produced year on year in this country. That’s where exports become critical.

Even for the small-time owner, the potential to move a dog on and get some money towards the next purchase is vital. It’s not only essential to that owner but to the breeder who might produce that owner’s next purchase, and to the trainer who might handle it and to the track which might race it, the bookmakers who might lay it, and the punter who might back it. Every sale and purchase is equally important and, right now, many sellers are dependent upon our neighbours.

Moving it to more extreme cases, those who depend on the turnover to pay staff and foot bills are becoming very concerned at the possibility of losing Wimbledon. Liam Dowling, of Ballymac Kennels, runs an extensive breeding operation at his Co. Kerry base and, in speaking to the Red Mills team (video available through usual channels), he outlined the issues which would arise for him and others in a similar situation. These are very real.

According to Racingpost.com yesterday, a long-term agreement has been agreed between NAMA and Risk Capital/Galliard Homes to lease the four GRA tracks to a management team. While it’s believed a 15-year leasehold agreement is in place for Belle Vue, Hall Green and Perry Barry, the length of the deal with Wimbledon is, as yet, unknown.

Taggart is calling on greyhound folk all over the world to generate at least 30,000 pieces of correspondence with Mayor Boris Johnson ([e-mail]) and Councillor Stephen Alambritis ([e-mail]) in a show of support for the retention/development of the greyhound stadium.

This is not about the individuals involved, rather the interest of everyone in this country who has or will have a greyhound to buy, race or sell.

Kerry GOBA are currently organizing a gathering of all track trophy winners since the 1920s with the intention of putting on a night to remember at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Saturday August 24th.

All trophies brought will be on display at the track on the night and the GOBA would welcome local charities who might wish to use the event as a benefit night by getting companies or individuals to sponsor each of the trophies on show.

Anyone who may have some old cups won at the county’s track in that period and who would like to get involved in the occasion should contact Martin Moriarty on [phone].

Kilkenny’s annual BEAM night takes place at the track on Sunday night, where numerous finals constitute the greater part of what is a very good card. It has always been a very well supported meeting and with the good weather forecast to continue, the same can be expected this weekend. The racing starts at 7.30pm and weigh-in is from 6.30-7pm.