• Boost to Open Race Programme in 2022 across Entain and Arena Racing Company stadia
Arena Racing Company (“ARC”) and Entain today announce the launch of Premier Greyhound Racing, the global home of greyhound racing entertainment. Both companies also today confirm a significant prize money investment across their open race programmes for 2022, in excess of £2.5 million across the year, as well as investment into greyhound welfare research projects.
Premier Greyhound Racing will deliver exciting racing experiences to audiences across all channels, supporting the highest standards of welfare and integrity and offering stability for the long-term future of the sport. The joint venture company will provide the best quality, sustainable British greyhound racing for betting operators and their customers around the world, supporting British greyhound racing and the sport’s various stakeholders.
Following a trial of twilight meetings that started in November and which marked the first time retail shops operated by Entain had taken content from any Arena Racing Company (ARC) greyhound track, from January 2022, Entain will extend the content taken from Arena Racing Company (ARC) tracks to between eight and ten fixtures per week.
This is a precursor to Entain’s retail estate and digital brands taking content from Premier Greyhound Racing exclusively from 1 January 2024.
Ahead of the launch of the joint venture, both Entain and Arena Racing Company (ARC) are pleased to confirm significant investments into their open race programmes for 2022, with both organisations offering four ‘Premier’ Category One competitions across the year, each with a first prize of £20,000.
Within the Arena Racing Company (ARC) group of stadia, Perry Barr will host the St Leger and the Oaks, with the Eclipse taking place at Nottingham and the All-England Cup at Newcastle. Entain will host the Puppy Derby at Monmore, the Golden Jacket at Crayford, the Regency at Hove and the Champion Stakes at Romford.
All other Category One competitions across both Arena Racing Company (ARC) and Entain tracks will offer a £10,000 minimum first prize (save for the Springbok maiden hurdle competition at Central Park) and £1,000 to all finalists across the 32 Category One competitions hosted by Arena Racing Company and Entain tracks in 2022 will be on offer.
All Category Two competitions across 2022 will offer a minimum first prize of £5,000 and standard prize money for minor opens (excluding maidens) will be £300 to the winner and £60 run money. Maiden races will offer £250 to the winner. All open race meetings will offer £15 per runner travel money, with an additional payment of £35 per runner for all Irish runners in the eight Premier competitions.
Further to this prize money investment, both Entain and Arena Racing Company (ARC) will support research in relation to improving greyhound welfare, with a commitment of £50,000 in 2022. The funds will be made available to the GBGB, who have recently announced they are developing their own welfare strategy, to be used to support an agreed research project to help improve greyhound welfare standards.
Richard Lang, Director of Commercial Retail, Entain said “We are thrilled to be launching Premier Greyhound Racing with our partners Arena Racing Company (ARC). This new venture clearly demonstrates Entain’s commitment to the sport of Greyhound Racing and our desire to see it flourish in the years ahead for the benefit of our customers and fans everywhere.”
Kevin Robertson, Managing Director of Arena Racing Company’s Media and International division, said, “We are delighted to work with Entain and take the next step forward in the establishment of Premier Greyhound Racing. Equally, in the shorter term, we are really pleased to have come together to make these significant investments into our Open Race programme over the year, as well as contributing to the ongoing research into greyhound welfare”
