Trainers past and present at Central Park Greyhound Stadium in Sittingbourne have reflected on memories of yesteryear to celebrate Local and Community History Month.
The Murston venue is one of 18 licensed tracks governed by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain in the UK and is also one of the youngest having opened its doors for the first time in 1990.
It wasn’t until 1995 that greyhound racing was first held, though, when a crowd of more than 2,000 watched the Wayne Wilson trained Try My House win the first race over 475 metres.
Today, the track operates five weekly fixtures including Tuesday and Saturday evenings under the management of Arena Racing Company – the UK’s largest racecourse operator.
Annual highlights include the prestigious £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby in October, plus the Kent Plate, Cesarewitch and Silver Salver all worth £12,500 to the winner.
One name synonymous with regular racegoers is Tony Collett. Now retired, Tony trained greyhounds for more than half-a-century and achieved the unthinkable when pulling off a 341-1 five-timer on his final night at the track in December last year.
It included an emotional victory in Tony’s final race which was named in his honour when Extra Place won the Tony Collett Retirement Stakes in a career best 16.18 seconds over the track’s sprint distance.
Tony trained 2009 Greyhound of the Year Lenson Joker during his remarkable career, reached the English Greyhound Derby final three times and lifted the Kent Derby trophy in 2006 with Carlin Honcho and 2009 with Lenson Bolt.
Reflecting on his time training at Central Park, Tony said: “I’ll never forget watching the greyhounds run for the first time – the excitement from the crowd and the dogs, the noise and atmosphere. I was hooked from that moment.
“There’s something special about every greyhound. They’re so friendly and gentle that you can’t not love them.
“Lenson Joker is the standout – he was an exceptional greyhound. Then there’s Windgap Java, Lenson Express and Kincraig Rory who all reached the English Greyhound Derby final - so many wonderful memories.”
Another local trainer to have lifted the Kent Derby trophy is Ashford-based couple Elizabeth and Rab McNair.
The pair won the competition in 2018 with King Turbo and won five category one prizes last year including the Winter Derby, Kent Plate, Hunt Cup, Brighton Belle and Three Steps To Victory.
Rab has championed improvements made to the Sittingbourne venue of late, which include a £500,000 investment to improve the track and a complete refurbishment of its grandstand restaurant.
“All our young greyhounds have started their careers at Central Park,” said Rab. “They’re very good to us and we can always trial and bring on the next generation which is important.
“The improvements made at Central Park in the last year are out of this world, it’s a great track.”
Further information about Central Park and tickets for upcoming fixtures are available online via www.centralpark-greyhounds.co.uk.
