GREYHOUND RACING.

Greyhound racing was introduced into England at the Belle View track, Manchester, in 1926. In 1927 it was brought to London, the White City being the first track in the Metropolis. By the end of 1927 there were upwards of 40 tracks opened or being prepared for racing.

A demand was made by the public for the sport. which rapidly advanced in favour, to be properly controlled, a Committee was formed under the chairmanship of Major-General. J.E.B. Seely, which established the National Greyhound Racing Club.
The various racecourse managements at the same time formed themselves into a Federation under the title of The National Racing Society of Great Britain. The functions of this Federation were to exercise jurisdiction over the administrative side of the sport, and generally to promote its interests. Lord Askwith was its first President.

The National Greyhound Racing Club is similar to the Jockey Club, with regard to the issue of licences. Every application for a licence is submitted to the Society, and only if they report in favour is a licene granted. The number of tracks licensed by the Racing Club to date is 50, and many applications have been refused. Several tracks are run without any countenance from the Racing Club.

To show the popularity of the sport a few figures may be quoted. The total attendances at licensed tracks in 1927 was 5,656,686. In 1931 the total attendances increased to 17,609,917, London's contribution to the aggregate being 8,608,382. In four years the total amount of prize money paid was over £1,000,000, and in five years entertainment tax amounting to £733,205 was paid to the National Exchequer.

The major part of greyhound racing takes place in the evening, the tracks being lit by artificial light. There is betting at the tracks by means of the totalisator and with bookmakers. At each meeting there are usually seven races, with occasionally an additional match race.