Greyhound racing enthusiasts turned out in force on Saturday to bid farewell to Perry Barr Stadium at its End of an Era fixture after almost a century of racing at the Birmingham track.
The Aldridge Road venue saw the hare run for the final time at 10.11pm as Heathcliffe Williams’ Collier Tom became the final winner when landing the Farewell To Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium Stakes.
It capped 35,567 days of greyhound racing at Perry Barr, with the first meeting held on April 7, 1928.
Since then, the track has hosted some of UK sport’s most iconic moments.
Wembley 100 inductee Mick The Miller participated in two match races in 1931. Two decades later, Diane Leather became the first female athlete to run a mile in less than five minutes on the former athletics track.
More recently, the now retired I’m Sophie won the Arena Racing Company Thanks to NHS and Key Workers Stakes at 10.21am on Monday, June 1 – the first recognised sporting event in the UK following the COVID-19 pandemic.
General Manager Chris Black said: “It was an emotional evening for everyone, and marked the end of an era.
“Perry Barr Stadium is one big giant family, which has spanned generations.
“People have so many wonderful memories and we were pleased to celebrate this with one final fixture before our relocation to Dunstall Park Greyhound Stadium.
“A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to the track’s success in the last 97 years.”
Among the winners on the night was veteran trainer John Lambe from Kingsbury.
The 2018 East Anglian Derby winning trainer sent out his final runner before retiring in the sixth race – The Future of Racing: Dunstall Park Stadium Stakes – and won when Lissan Buzz beat odds-on favourite Longacres Lad by half-a-length.
John has since handed his license to daughter Ruth, who will take over the racing kennel for the launch of Dunstall Park Greyhound Stadium in Wolverhampton on Friday, September 19.
John said: “It was the perfect way to sign-off.
“My heart and soul is here at Perry Barr. My father raced here, and we brought back the Birmingham Cup in 2020 when sponsoring the competition.
“It’s sad Perry Barr is closing, but we’re fortunate to be relocating to Dunstall Park. It’s a fresh start, a positive injection for the sport and shows how committed Arena Racing Company are to greyhound racing.”
Bookmaker Richard Dunn was another to be trackside for the final night.
He has been taking punters’ bets for more than a decade and reflected on his time at Perry Barr fondly.
“We’ve made so many friends at Perry Barr, it’s sad to see the track close,” said Richard.
“There are six track records in the programme, and I’ve been here to witness each one of them. Droopys Clue winning the St Leger sticks out in my mind, and when Rioja Oisin won the Scurry Gold Cup for a friend last year.
“There are mixed emotions because the opening of Dunstall Park Stadium is exciting for the sport and we’re looking forward to being there.”
Dunstall Park Greyhound Stadium will open on Friday, September 19. Tickets for the launch fixture are available online via www.dunstallpark-greyhounds.co.uk with the first race off at 6.15pm.
