The festive season has brought record-breaking crowds to Sheffield's greyhound track, with the venue bustling like never before. To meet the surge in demand, even the restaurant has been opened for BAGS meetings, showcasing the popularity of the sport during this time of year.
Racing Manager Andrew Mascarenhas noted that weekend attendance has been phenomenal. He reported over 1,100 visitors on Friday and a similar number on Saturday. Sunday was equally lively, with 250 dining in the restaurant and 628 enjoying the races trackside. Looking ahead, the upcoming Sunday event is already fully booked, with an additional seven tables arranged for the British Bred Derby finalists’ connections.
“Although we only had 21 entries instead of 36, which is probably a reflection of where British breeding is, we had 30 last year, the overall quality of entry is very good. Half the field started out their careers here, which is always good to see,” Andrew remarked.
The increase in attendance has coincided with a rise in the number of greyhounds on the graded strength. Sheffield hosts five weekly meetings, with Saturdays often facing challenges when graded numbers drop.
However, Andrew shared encouraging news: “We were down to ten races, including a few with four and five runners, which I wasn’t really happy about. But we are back up to 12 race cards now and very few empty boxes.”
“We haven’t had any new trainers, in fact, we are losing one to Monmore, but the existing trainers have upped their numbers which is very encouraging.”
“We have advertised for new trainers, like just about every other track. The reality is, there are very few new people being licensed.”
Meanwhile, the local home finders at Gate Lodge in Wortley have been instrumental in finding homes for retired racers. Since October, they’ve successfully rehomed 32 ex-racers, an achievement Andrew praised, highlighting their crucial role in supporting the sport’s welfare initiatives.
As Sheffield races toward the holiday season, its vibrant atmosphere and dedicated community promise an exciting and successful close to the year.