Harlow Greyhound Track

Harlow Greyhound Stadium was opened on Wednesday 15th March 1995 and gave the greyhound industry renewed optimism due to the fact that it was a rare occurrence for a new track to be built.

The site chosen for racing was the north east of the town known as the Pinnacles just off the Roydon Road and directly west of the football stadium. To access the track one has to make their way up Stadium Way past the Scimitar industrial park.

Toni Nicholls bought the land from receivers when the new football stadium was being built in 1993 and constructed some excellent facilities. Everything was set up nicely with executive suites, a restaurant and conference and banqueting facilities. With a capacity of 1,500 and large car park hopes were high for a successful venture. Race nights took place on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights during the first year of trading in 1995 and the Racing Manager was former trainer Stan Gudgin.

Noteworthy achievements attributed to Harlow hounds during this period were the TV Trophy title going to Kelly Rockmans Monarue Slippy and the Gold Collar competition being won by Rio Scorpio (Daniel Riordan).

Nicholls was disappointed during the early years of racing quoting the fact that preconceived conceptions of dog racing were hampering efforts to bring in large crowds. Gudgin was also left with problems when in the year 2000 three trainers left for new pastures, Jean Carter moved to Crayford, Wayne Wilson to Catford and Kay Wyatt to Sittingbourne. Not long after Gudgin retired and his position was taken by Mark Schellenberg.

Nicholls was disappointed during the early years of racing quoting the fact that preconceived conceptions of dog racing were hampering efforts to bring in large crowds. Gudgin was also left with problems when in the year 2000 three trainers left for new pastures, Jean Carter moved to Crayford, Wayne Wilson to Catford and Kay Wyatt to Sittingbourne. Not long after Gudgin retired and his position was taken by Mark Schellenberg.

Despite offers from developers Barclay continues to put money into the track and has achieved some notable success for Harlow Greyhound Stadium.

In 2006 the track was able to recruit new trainers such as John Walsh from Wimbledon, quite a coup at the time and then of course after the Walthamstow closure some of the best known trainers arrived along with the Walthamstow Racing Manager Chris Page who would take up the role of General Manager. A team of five trainers; John Coleman, Mark Wallis Mick Puzey, Graham Sharp and Kelly Mullins were all based at Harlow afterwards.

Coleman was soon to retire after a wonderful career but Mark Wallis brought the ultimate prize to the track after winning the Greyhound Derby with Kinda Ready in 2009. Wallis also picked up the St Leger that year with Kinda Easy and the William Hill Classic with Jogadusc Ace.

In 2010 Wallis left to join Yarmouth but despite this loss the track was rewarded with a first SKY meeting in 2011. Barclay brought in a Greyhound Sales in 2013 and continues to promote the racing today.

More information about this track is available in the downloadable PDF