In this section, I mention the dog racing distances used in the United Kingdom & Ireland and explain how different prefixes identify each race distance. Please see British & Irish Greyhound Track Race Lengths.
Greyhound Predictor Software v2.0 lets you predict 3 race lengths: 515 metres = 563 yards, 500 metres = 547 yards and 480 metres = 525 yards. When studying form, please select a race run close to any of these three distances to obtain the best predictions!
All race lengths can be displayed in metres or yards by choosing Options from the Main Menu. Alternatively, you can pre-set your own distance measurements by finding the Configuration Utility on your computer: (Start - Programs - Greyhound Predictor v2.0 - Configuration) as the default mode of your choice, each time you start up Greyhound Predictor only then will these race settings be saved for you!
In the United Kingdom there are basically four types of distances. A raceform prefix (abbreviated letter) is always shown before the 'grade' to represent the distance of race: D = sprint races (2 bend racing), A = middle-distance races (4 bends), S = stayers races (6 bends) and E = marathon or extended races (8 bends or more). Please note: In Ireland racing distance prefixes are slightly different ie: S = Sprint, A = Middle-Distance and D = Long Distance. Although, these 'prefixes' can vary from track to track!
The most common distance used for dog racing in England and Ireland is 480 metres or 525 yards: The Gold Cup and Puppy Derby - (Monmore Green), All England Cup, Angel Of The North and Northern Puppy Derby - (Newcastle), Kent Derby - (Central Park), English Oaks - (Perry Barr), Produce Stakes - (Clonmel), Irish Oaks and Gold Cup - (Shelbourne Park), Con & Annie Kirby Memorial - (Limerick), Irish Laurels - (Curraheen Park).
Towcester in Northamptonshire was chosen in 2021 to host the English Derby run over the new modern-day derby distance of 500 metres / 547 yards.
Hove introduced new 500m races in 2020 for all middle-distance competitions except the Sussex Cup, Olympic & Brighton Belle run over 515 metres.
One of the oldest 'sprint classics' is the Scurry Gold Cup, first run at Clapton in 1928 over 400 yards until its closure in 1973. In 1974 it transferred to Slough over 434 metres / 475 yards and later in 1987 to Catford over 385 metres / 420 yards. In 2003/04 the race was not run until reinstated in 2005 at Perry Barr over 275 metres. Then in 2009 it moved to 'sister track' Belle Vue over 260 metres until its closure and is now back at Perry Barr over 275m.
The Cesarewitch is yet another of the original classics, first staged in 1928 at West Ham over 600 yards. Following the tracks closure in 1971 the event transferred in 1972 to Belle Vue over 880 yards and was the first time a classic had ever been staged in the North of England. In 1995 the GRA switched the venue to Catford over 718 metres. In 2001 it moved to Oxford over 645 metres until its closure in 2012. In 2019 Ladbrokes / Coral stepped in to save this famous event and ran it at Crayford over 874 metres. In 2020 it was switched to Romford over 925 metres and in 2021 & 2022 returned to Crayford. In 2023 the race was switched to Central Park and is now run over the new distance of 731 metres.
The Greyhound St Leger first run at Wembley was transferred in 2017 from it's next home of Wimbledon to Perry Barr and is now run over 710 metres. The longest marathon race in England is the Ladbrokes 1048 held at Crayford over 1048 metres / 1146 yards!
In Ireland the 'premier sprint' is the Irish Sprint Cup run over 400 yards at Dundalk, which succeeded the National Sprint run over 325y at Newbridge.
The Irish Derby held at Shelbourne Park since 1932 has been run over the same distance of 550 yards / 503 metres since 1986. Interestingly, the Irish St Leger originally held at Celtic Park, Belfast in 1932 is today staged over the same distance at Limerick!
Famous Irish 'staying races' include the Cambridgeshire - (Limerick), Corn Cuchulainn run over 750 yards, Winter Racing Festival Marathon over 850 yards and Shelbourne Marathon over 1025 yards - (Shelbourne Park) and not to forget the historic "Ted Hegarty" Track Bookmakers Open Marathon previously staged at Harolds Cross (HX). Although, perhaps the longest race in Ireland is the TBO Marathon held at Thurles Park over 1035 yards!
In the United States most American greyhound parks display distances as fractions of a mile: 990 feet = 3/16th mile, 1320 feet = Quarter mile, 1485 feet = Futurity course, 1650 feet = 5/16th mile, 1980 feet = 3/8th mile, 2310 feet = 7/16th mile, 2640 feet = half mile, 2970 feet = 9/16th mile, etc.
In Australia only two categories are used: SPRINT = all races up to and including 564 metres, and DISTANCE = all races over 565 metres or further.
The positioning of the starting traps is very important as regular distances take place where runners are only afforded a 'short run' to the first corner. These contests frequently result in 1st bend trouble due to the distinct lack of 'racing room' and therefore will always be a little more difficult to predict!
The greyhound form statistic length of race? is found at the top of each race heading.
Now select and enter one of the three distances supplied.
You have now completed all the RACE-SET-UP questions and will be asked to answer a further set of seven questions by again studying the raceform for each runner starting with trap one. Please select as before by highlighting any of the multiple choice answers and PRESS SPACEBAR to enter. Please note: race lengths, ages, weights and racetimes will require you to enter numerical answers by using the number digits situated on your keypad.
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