Brighton and Hove, a popular seaside destination in England, boasts the second-highest population density in the country, following South Hampshire. Nestled within Hove Park is the Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium, commonly known as Hove.
Established on June 2, 1928, Hove is one of the oldest racecourses in the UK. It marked its inaugural event with the Hove Stakes, attended by 7,000 spectators, where the greyhound Costs, owned by local lawyer Graham Hopper, took first place. The groundwork was laid for the stadium's future developments, and it remains one of the most cherished venues for dog racing in the nation.
The racecourse’s success is largely attributed to Gerard Keeley and Peter Shotton. Keeley joined Hove in 1937 and became managing director in 1964. That same year, Peter Shotton, a former sports journalist recognized for his administrative prowess in greyhound racing, was appointed racing manager. Their dedicated efforts significantly enhanced Hove's popularity and reputation in the small seaside town.
A notable moment in Hove's history occurred on July 16, 1962, when Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited the stadium. Between 1978 and 1979, the Duke of Edinburgh's dog received training at Hove under trainer Gordon Hudson.
April 1967 marked another significant milestone for the racecourse with the arrival of trainer George Curtis, who would go on to be named trainer of the year three times and boast ten classic race winners among his dogs. His standout greyhound, Yankee Express, was named Dog of the Year in 1983 and notably won the Scurry Gold Cup three consecutive times (1982-1984). However, it was Curtis’ legendary greyhound, Ballyregan Bob, who earned national acclaim, remaining undefeated in 32 races. His name, alongside those of Mick the Miller and Scurlogue Champ, has become emblematic of British pride in greyhound racing.
Today, the racecourse operates five days a week, offers betting options, and features a restaurant with panoramic views of the expansive track. It hosts prestigious races such as the Class 1 Coral Regency, Sussex Cup, Brighton Belle, and the Coral Greyhound Olympic, all of which have rich histories in the sport.
Coral Regency and Coral Sussex Cup
Since 1948, Hove has been the venue for the Coral Regency, and since 1972, it has hosted the Coral Sussex Cup. These two races occur simultaneously at the end of July.
The Regency, originally called the Regency Produce Stakes, was initially exclusive to British-bred greyhounds. However, since 1966, its eligibility has broadened. As a prestigious Category 1 race, it features a prize fund of £20,000. Dogs trained by George Curtis have claimed victory in the Regency on several occasions, specifically in 1967 (Ever Work), 1975 (Glin Bridge), 1977 (Bonzo), and 1986 (Yankees Shadow). The well-known trainer Mark Wallis, a 12-time British Trainer of the Year, has also seen four of his dogs win this race. The Coral Sussex Cup, which has a prize fund of £10,000, has been held since 1972 and is also a Category 1 race. Curtis’ dogs have triumphed five times, including Yankee Express in 1982, while renowned trainer Nick Savva has captured the title four times.
Coral Greyhound Olympic
The Coral Greyhound Olympic has had several home venues throughout its history. It began in 1947 at Wandsworth Stadium, moved to Charlton Stadium after Wandsworth's closure in 1966, and paused for eight years when Charlton closed in 1971. Hove's management revived the race in 1979, and it has since taken place there. The race spans 515 meters and offers a prize fund of £10,000.
From 2001 to 2008, Hove trainer Brian Clemenson dominated the Olympic, winning seven consecutive times, with a total of eight wins including a victory in 1996 with Hart Mine. In 1985, Ballyregan Bob trained by George Curtis secured the win, contributing to Hove's legacy. Other trainers, such as Derek Knight, Bill Masters, and Gunner Smith, have also experienced multiple victories, solidifying the race's prestige at the venue.
The Olympic race is complemented by the Ballyregan Bob Memorial Trophy, also a Category 1 race, held in December to honour the legacy of the legendary greyhound.
Coral Brighton Belle
The Coral Brighton Belle race has taken place annually since 1975, typically in late April during spring. It features a prize fund of £10,000 for a distance of 515 meters. Exclusive to female competitors, the race began as a modest event with a £1,000 prize. In 2001, it advanced to a category 2 race with a prize fund of £2,500. As of 2023, the Coral Brighton Belle has achieved category 1 status, significantly elevating its prestige and prize fund. Alongside the Olympic, Regency, and Sussex Cup, it now serves as a highlight in the national racing calendar and a hallmark of Hove racecourse. In 2023, the first greyhound to win the £10,000 prize was Betsy's Bullet, owned by Belinda Green.
Coral Winter Derby
The Coral Winter Derby, a £10,000 Grade 1 event, was a celebrated winter highlight until 2020 at the Hove racecourse. Renowned among greyhound racing enthusiasts, the race was prestigious and well-attended. However, since 2021, it has relocated to Monmore Stadium and is now hosted by Ladbrokes as the Ladbrokes Winter Derby, held each February.
Coral Grand National
In 2024, Hove will proudly host the Coral Grand National, a Grade 1 hurdling event, for the first time. This race has a storied legacy, having undergone several relocations since its inception in 1928 at White City. It delighted spectators until the venue's closure in 1984. From 1985 to 1999, it was held at Hall Green, and since then, it has taken place at Crayford, also sponsored by Ladbrokes.
Additionally, the Classic Hurdle with a £10,000 prize will occur in Hove in November 2024, with both the venue and sponsor undergoing changes. This race is expected to draw significant crowds, and there's hope that Hove will maintain this event for the foreseeable future.
In addition to these Grade 1 races, Hove features several Grade 2 events, such as the Coral Springbok in March, the Hove Puppy Cup in late April, the Coral Sprint Trophy in midsummer, and various other popular races that attract fans seeking entertainment and betting opportunities. Hove consistently extends a warm “Welcome!” to all.