Facts about the Greyhound

Updated June 8, 2006.

There are 38 Greyhound tracks in 13 states (plus one in Mexico). Greyhound racing is enjoyed in many other countries, including Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia.

Greyhound racing contributes, from the mutuel handle only, millions to state, county and city governments.

Greyhound tracks contribute to charities in excess of $1 million annually.

On the average 75 percent of the money wagered (the handle) on a given night is returned to the holders of the winning tickets (percentage varies from state to state).

The largest purse ever ($500,000) was awarded to Greys Calibrator when she won the Derby Lane Million on March 4, 9006. She was owned by Jack and Mary Butler.

Most Greyhound programs consist of 15 races, each with eight Greyhounds. However it is not uncommon to see a 20-race card.

Most Greyhounds run 5/16 of a mile, 1,650 feet. However races are also held over the 3/16, 3/8, 7/16 and 9/16-mile coures.

Greyhounds will cover the 5/16-mile course in approximately 30 seconds reaching speeds up to 45 m.p.h.

Greyhounds are bred to run and love to do it. They are muzzled to prevent any chance of over-zealous play in the turnout pens and to assist in determining photo-finishes (a camera technique developed for dog racing).

The American Greyhound Council works earnestly to promote Greyhound adoptions and to ensure the welfare of racing Greyhounds.

Greyhound tracks in the U.S. employ more than 14,000 people, pay more than $150 million a year in wages, and contribute nearly $100 million a year in tax revenues to the states in which they are located. Tracks spend nearly $448 million annually purchasing goods and services from outside vendors. In addition, greyhound tracks donate more than $11.7 million a year to charities and non-profit causes. Greyhound racing also spends more than $2 mllion annually to fund track-based or independent adoption programs.

Greyhound breeding farms and racing kennels represent an investment of more than $150 million in land, buildings and equipment. Each year, greyhound farms and kennels pump an estimated $96 million a year into local economies by purchasing goods and services. The greyhounds themselves carry a value of more than $200 million.

Greyhound ownership is very strictly regulated by the National Greyhound Association (NGA), which was founded in 1906 as the industry's official registry. Persons who own a racing or breeding greyhound must register with the NGA. They must agree to accept full responsibility for their greyhound's welfare at all times, or face severe consequences, including possible expulsion from the association. Such expulsion effectively means permanent banishment from participation in greyhound racing throughout the U.S.

Greyhounds range in color from white to black, and almost anything in between. The word “Greyhound” is derived not from the animal's color but from its history. The ancient Greeks may have called them “greekhounds,” or may have named them “gazehounds” since they relied on sight rather than smell in hunting. The name may also have been derived from the Latin “gradus” meaning degree, which related to the care exercised in breeding these aristocratic animals.

This information is provided by the National Greyhound Association.Return to home page.