Crayford Stadium Dog Racing: History & Visiting Guide 2025

Crayford Stadium is a greyhound racing stadium situated in the London Borough of Bexley, Greater London, but it does have a Kent postcode. The stadium has been hosting races since 1986 and is operated by Entain (Ladbrokes Coral). It features private suites, a restaurant, and several bars for the convenience of visitors.

The stadium hosts various meetings throughout the week, including evening, matinée, and morning meetings. Ladbrokes Coral owns the facility, which has become a popular destination for those interested in greyhound racing.

Sadly, the Crayford Stadium has closed down at the end of 2024, but the history of this place is so interesting, that I thought I’d keep this article updated and see what happens next.

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Visiting Crayford Dog Racing Stadium

Did you know that there are two Greyhound stadiums in Kent? Could you name either of them? Give up? Well, dog racing takes place every week at Sittingbourne and Crayford. So, today I’m going to tell you a bit about Crayford dog racing.

I got the idea of ‘going to the dogs’, so to speak, when I passed the site of the former Catford stadium on a train to Hayes. The stadium itself went to the dogs for the very last time in 2003, after which it caught fire and was demolished. Until recently the entrance signs were still visible but when I looked by recently it was a building site and I’m sure it will only be a matter of time before flats are put up.

Crayford dog track, like all the other dog tracks in the country was very much a part of the social history of working class everyday life, often found in highly built up inner city areas close to the very people who regularly came, as an entire family, on a Friday and Saturday night for flutter or two.

Small fortunes were won and lost, races rigged, dogs doped and hearts lost in flutters of a very different kind as people jostled to place bets and enjoy themselves after the rigours of a hard working week. For many in Crayford, this would have meant working in the local Vickers munitions factory.

For many people today, their closest connection to greyhounds is probably having bought Blur’s 1994 album Parklife with its iconic front cover of two greyhounds, one muzzled, racing at full tilt round a tight bend on the track. Royal Mail chose it as one of ten classic album covers for a special celebration set issued a few years back.

There’s been greyhound racing at Crayford on this site since 1937 and the current stadium was re-built in 1986. Sadly this meant an end to Speedway on this site and the construction of a huge Sainsbury’s Super store. Fortunately, the dog track remained but with spectator access now restricted to the main grandstand side only.

The original track was made of peat and workmen digging the foundations apparently dug up a 300 year old human skeleton.

Entrance tickets cost

I went with a party of friends and for £10 each, pre-booked, we got an excellent deal: entrance, programme, 2 drinks, fast food, jackpot ticket and a re-admission voucher for 2. The atmosphere was enthralling and I was soon drawn into the excitement.

I can’t say I managed to decipher the form on the race programme which for a newcomer with its tiny print is as difficult to read as it is to understand. Maybe somewhere in the small print is the warning – gamble responsibly; use someone else money!

How the dog racing works

Taking of sure fire bets, sure enough, one of my friends said she knew the owner of one of the dogs racing that night. And yes, it was going to win. So what do you do? I hedged my bets in every sense by placing an each way with a modest wager and sure enough – it won comfortably enough. Sadly after that it was as if I’d cashed in on my good luck for the night and no amount of lucky combinations or places came up trumps.

Unlike horse racing where the races are every half an hour, the dog races are at regular 15 minute or so intervals – only the start times reads like a railway schedule – 7.14, 7.28, etc. All of which means that there’s always something to do, whether it’s placing a bet, collecting your winnings, (this didn’t take up much of my time) buying a drink or else pretending to study the form.

There are huge monitors inside which re-run the race but outside on the tiny terraces, only 7 or 8 rows deep, you’re close enough to the track and alongside the finish to know if there’s something to shout about. Numbers rather than names tend to be shouted out as the races themselves are run over relatively short distances – twice round the track or sometimes over hurdles – and so last only a couple of minutes or so.

Upstairs there are separate bars and dining areas for waitress silver service, all with grandstand views of the track. But for my money, the excitement is all about being out on the terraces, under the floodlights casting their shadow on the sleek, glistening coats of the dogs as they are paraded up and down by their owners before the start of every race.

The six greyhounds are herded into the trap, the stuffed mechanical rabbit is wheeled around the outside track, and suddenly they’re off – bounding away, stretching every sinew of their lean bodies to get ahead until the finish when their panting breaths from taut ribcages can be clearly seen against the cold floodlit evening air.

My experience of going to the Crayford dog racing

The races may be over in what seems like the blink of an eye but the thrill of a win, stays forever.

Trip Advisor gives Crayford dog track only a 55% approval rating but I would award it a 80-20 ratio. 80% approval with a 20% chance of getting your money back. Either way it’s a cheap and cheerful form of entertainment and none the worse for mingling with the masses.

I kept my Crayford dogs race card as a souvenir of the evening. Perhaps one day I’ll fully understand the small print but for me it had ‘great entertainment value’ writ large on the front cover. Recently Crayford successfully petitoned Royal Mail to get its own postal address. To have managed to keep dog racing in Crayford alive for over 75 years is a winning result in itself.

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History of Crayford Iconic Greyhound Racing Venue

1980s

In the early 1980s, Ladbrokes announced plans to redevelop the Crayford & Bexleyheath Stadium, which included ceasing racing activities. The redevelopment project aimed to convert five acres of the twenty-acre site into a new greyhound track and sports stadium. Racing ended in May 1985, and construction of the new stadium began, which took sixteen months to complete.

On 1 September 1986, the grand opening of the new stadium, now called Crayford, took place. The stadium was opened by the mayor of Bexley and Ladbrokes Chairman Cyril Stein. The dimensions of the all-sand circuit were a small 334 m circumference with distances of 380, 540, 714 and 874 metres with an outside Sumner hare. The stadium also included a restaurant for 138 covers, two bars, and a twin-tier glass-fronted covered stand. Additionally, the stadium featured a sports hall complex, a fitness area, and a swimming pool.

In 1987, the track took possession of a major competition called the Golden Jacket, which had struggled to find a new home since the demise of Harringay. The track also provided a new matinee meeting for their Ladbrokes betting shops, and another new competition called the Crayford Rosebowl was inaugurated. In 1988, Dinky Luckhurst trained Breeks Rocket to Grand National success.

1990s

In 1996, Dynamic Display repeated the Grand National achievement for trainer Barry O’Sullivan. The Guys and Dolls competition arrived at the track in 1997. Pure Patches won the 1998 Gold Collar and also made the 1999 English Greyhound Derby final, and Bubbly Prince won the 1999 Cesarewitch.

2000s

Lady Jean won the 2000 Cesarewitch, and Haughty Ted won the 2001 Gold Collar for Dinky Luckhurst. Racing manager Paul Lawrence parted company with the track in 2000, replaced by Harry Bull, with Danny Rayment promoted to deputy. Trainer Lorraine Sams introduced a greyhound to the industry in 2006 called Spiridon Louis. The black-and-white dog would become the 2007 Greyhound of the Year after winning the St Leger, TV Trophy, and Regency.

2010s

In 2010, the Gemma Davidson-trained Plane Daddy won the Grand National hurdle race, marking Crayford’s third Grand National win. In 2015, the track resurrected the original classic Gold Collar competition and the Guys and Dolls. In 2017, Ladbrokes merged with Gala Coral to form Ladbrokes Coral.

In 2018, the stadium signed a deal with SIS to race every Tuesday morning and evening, Thursday afternoon, Friday morning, and Saturday morning.

2020s

In 2022, Entain signed a long-term deal with the Arena Racing Company for media rights, starting in January 2024. In 2023, the stadium held the Champion Hurdle for the first time.

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Different Dog Racing Competitions

Golden Jacket

The Golden Jacket is a greyhound racing competition held annually at Crayford Stadium in London. It was first established in 1946 and is run over a distance of 714 meters. The race is open to bitches aged two years or older. The prize money for the winner is currently £17,500.

Gold Collar

The Gold Collar is a greyhound racing competition held annually at Crayford Stadium in London. It was first established in 1939 and is run over a distance of 540 meters. The race is open to greyhounds aged two years or older. The prize money for the winner is currently £5,000.

Kent St Leger

The Kent St Leger is a greyhound racing competition held annually at Crayford Stadium in London. It was first established in 1946 and is run over a distance of 714 meters. The race is open to greyhounds aged two years or older. The prize money for the winner is currently £10,000.

Guys And Dolls

The Guys And Dolls competition is a greyhound racing event held annually at Crayford Stadium in London. It was first established in 1975 and is run over a distance of 380 meters. The race is open to greyhounds aged two years or older. The prize money for the winner is currently £5,000.

Champion Hurdle

The Champion Hurdle is a greyhound racing competition held annually at Wimbledon Stadium in London. It was first established in 1927 and is run over a distance of 480 meters. The race is open to greyhounds aged two years or older. The prize money for the winner is currently £10,000.

Crayford/Kent Vase

The Crayford/Kent Vase is a greyhound racing competition held annually at Crayford Stadium in London. It was first established in 1967 and is run over a distance of 714 meters. The race is open to greyhounds aged two years or older. The prize money for the winner is currently £10,000.

Crayford/Kent Rosebowl

The Crayford/Kent Rosebowl is a greyhound racing competition held annually at Crayford Stadium in London. It was first established in 1987 and is run over a distance of 380 meters. The race is open to greyhounds aged two years or older. The prize money for the winner is currently £5,000.

Dog Racing Track Records

Current

The following table lists the current track records for greyhounds in various distances:

Metres	Greyhound	Time	Date	Notes
380	Brinkleys Poet	22.85s	29 May 2018
540	Mayshighlandreel	33.09s	26 Sep 2017	Gold Collar final
714	Stardom	44.52s	24 Aug 2019
874	Burgess Borna	55.89s	26 Dec 2014
1048	Roxholme Magic	67.83s	21 Feb 2017
380	H Lenson Doolin	23.10s	15 Apr 2023	Champion Hurdle final
540	H Razldazl Raidio	33.57s	21 Feb 2017

Former

The following table lists the former track records for greyhounds in various distances:

Metres	Greyhound	Time	Date	Notes
380	Justa Mo	23.66s	9 May 1987
380	Sail on Delaney	23.53s	28 Jan 1989
380	Clonlusk Villa	23.46s	26 Jan 1991
380	Genotin Laura	23.31s	17 May 1993
380	Lots of Jolly	23.31s	16 Jul 1994
380	Rossa Ranger	23.36s	15 Apr 2002
380	Chasing A Dream	23.18s	5 May 2002
380	Skibbs Flyer	23.06s	14 Oct 2002
380	Kingdom Club	23.01s	27 Sep 2003	Guys and Dolls Final
380	Tictac Tyson	22.97s	7 May 2011
380	You Never Listen	22.97s	19 Feb 2015	=equalled
380	Target Harris	22.88s	18 Jul 2015
540	Baby Pol	34.01s	4 Aug 1987
540	Hello Blackie	33.93s	11 Aug 1990
540	Side Wink	33.46s	9 Jan 1992
540	Break On Thru	33.43s	14 Oct 2002
540	Sportsman	33.26s	3 Feb 2003
540	Sunshine Sophie	33.13s	28 Feb 2004
714	Favourite Return	46.86s	22 May 1987
714	Harry Lime	46.17s	31 Aug 1987
714	Fort Leader	45.61s	16 Feb 1989
714	Heavenly Lady	45.25s	8 Feb 1993
714	Blues Best Tayla	45.19s	24 Feb 2001
714	Rosden Image	45.07s	14 Oct 2002
714	Foreign Chick	45.13s	14 Oct 2002
714	Centour Corker	45.02s	3 Feb 2003
714	Centour Corker

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Where to find more information on dog racing

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain provides a “Track Search” tool on their website, which allows users to search for tracks across the country. The Crayford Stadium, located in London, is one of the tracks listed on the site. The stadium has been operational for many years and has hosted a number of important greyhound races.

Julia Barnes, a greyhound racing expert, has written extensively about the sport in her book Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. In it, she provides detailed information about the history of greyhound racing and some of the most important races in the sport. She also discusses the Ladbrokes Greyhound Fact File, which was co-authored by Barnes and John Sellers.

The Greyhound Star is another valuable resource for those interested in greyhound racing. In a September 1986 article, the publication reminisced about some of the most memorable moments in the sport’s history. In 2023, the Greyhound Star published an article titled “No Competition – No Progress”, which discussed the importance of competition in the sport.

The Ladbrokes Champion Hurdle is one of the most prestigious races in greyhound racing. The Greyhound Board of Great Britain provides information about the race on their website, including the winners of past events. Julia Barnes has also written about the Ladbrokes Greyhound Fact File, which provides detailed information about the race.

The Official NGRC Greyhound Racing Yearbook, written by Paul Fry, is another important resource for greyhound racing enthusiasts. The book provides information about the sport’s history, as well as detailed information about some of the most important races.

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain also provides information about specific races, such as the Ladbrokes.com Crayford Vase, the Ladbrokes Kent Vase, and the Ladbrokes.com Crayford Rose Bowl. These races have been held at the Crayford Stadium and have attracted some of the top greyhounds in the country.

Other important races in greyhound racing include the Ladbrokes Gold Collar, the Poet Is Record Breaking Motion, the Deanridge Trophy, the 874m race, the Ladbrokes 1048, the Chief Ramsbottom Hurdle, and the Crayford Bookmakers Hurdle. The Greyhound Board of Great Britain provides information about these races, including winners and records.

Finally, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain keeps track of records set at various tracks across the country. The track record at Crayford Stadium is also listed on their website.

This blog post was originally published on 6 January 2015 and last updated on 16 January 2024

Crayford Stadium Dog Racing: History & Visiting Guide 2025

Visiting Crayford Dog Racing Stadium

Entrance tickets cost

How the dog racing works

My experience of going to the Crayford dog racing