Greyhound racing ends at Sydney's Wentworth Park after nearly a century
Sydney's Wentworth Park will host its final greyhound race on Friday after almost a century.
Wentworth Park closes to greyhound racing on Friday night when it holds its last meeting. The park, built from silt dredged from Sydney's Harbour between 1876 and 1880, became synonymous with the sport after racing began there in 1932.
By the 1970s, major meetings drew large crowds. Ron Arnold, who worked in the industry for 50 years, was born into a greyhound-breeding family and started at the park in 1975.
"Everybody knew where Wentworth Park was," Arnold says. Like the Sydney Cricket Ground or Melbourne Cricket Ground, the venue became a brand people recognised even if they did not follow the sport.
All buildings will be demolished after October 2027. The land will return to parkland under City of Sydney Council's control.
Greyhound Racing NSW announced the industry will relocate to Richmond Race Club, about an hour northwest of the city. The government committed $10 million to help the move.
- 1932 to 2026
- Racing years
- 50 years, started 1975
- Ron Arnold tenure
- After October 2027
- Buildings demolished
- 10 million dollars
- Government funding
Why it mattersAn iconic Sydney sporting venue closes as property values in the inner west make redevelopment more attractive than heritage use.
AustraliaSydney loses a 94-year-old sporting landmark. The greyhound racing industry will relocate to sites further from the city.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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