What is Greyhound Racing? A Beginner’s Guide to the Sport

If you’ve ever stumbled across a greyhound race and thought, “It’s just a bunch of dogs chasing a mechanical bunny,” you’re not totally wrong - but there’s a whole lot more going on than meets the eye. 

From lightning-fast sprints to strategic grading systems and elite competitions, greyhound racing is a sport full of structure, heart and yes, a good bit of strategy. Let’s take a walk (or sprint!) through the essentials of greyhound racing and break down what really makes the sport tick. 

So, What Is Greyhound Racing? 

At its core, greyhound racing is a sport where greyhounds race around an oval track chasing a mechanical lure (often called the hare). The goal? Be the first across the finish line.  

But just like horse racing, there’s a deep system of grades, distances and rules designed to keep things fair, exciting and competitive. 

Races in the UK and Ireland feature six dogs wearing color-coded jackets: 

• 🟥 Red (Trap 1) 

• 🟦 Blue (Trap 2) 

• ⬜ White (Trap 3) 

• ⬛ Black (Trap 4) 

• 🟧 Orange (Trap 5) 

• ⬛⬜ Stripes (Trap 6) 

Grading: Not All Greyhounds Are Created Equal 

Just like people, greyhounds have different strengths. Some are born sprinters, some have better stamina and some are just starting out. That’s where grading comes in. 

Every greyhound has to go through trial runs before they can race. These trials are like practice laps - they help racing managers figure out how fast a dog is, what kind of race suits them and who they should be competing against. 

🏅 Graded Races 

These are the bread-and-butter of the sport. Dogs are grouped by ability, so you won’t have a track star up against a newcomer. It’s all about keeping things fair and fun. 

Each race is labelled with a letter and number. For example: 

• A1: A middle-distance race (the “A”) with the top dogs (Grade 1) 

Grades go from A1 (the fastest) down to A11 (newbies or those slowing down) and just like in sports leagues dogs can move up or down the grades depending on how they’re racing. 

Let’s Talk Race Types (And Letters Matter!) 

There’s a handy system to tell you what kind of race you're watching. Each race starts with a letter: 

So, if you see a race marked S2, you’re looking at long-distance runners near the top of their game. 

Graded vs. Open Races: What's the Difference? 

Graded Races 

These are track-based races where greyhounds compete against others of the same level. Dogs typically stay at the same track unless they’re entered into an open race elsewhere. The racing manager makes sure the field is balanced and fair. 

Open Races 

Now we’re talking big leagues. Open races are national competitions where the best greyhounds from all over travel to compete. These include legendary events like: The English Greyhound Derby, The Puppy Derby & The St Leger. 

You’ll often see labels like OR1, OR2, or OR3 depending on the quality and prestige of the event. 

Race Seeding & Trap Positions: It’s Not Random 

In greyhound racing, where a dog starts from is strategically assigned - not randomly drawn like in horse racing. Why? Because every dog has a preferred racing line. 

• Railers love to hug the inside. Normally placed in trap 1 and 2. 

• Wide runners drift outwards. Normally placed in trap 5 and 6. 

• Middle seeds go straight ahead. Normally placed in trap 3 and 4. 

To avoid crashes and give everyone the best shot, dogs are "seeded" into the trap that suits their running style. This adds a layer of fairness and strategy to every race. 

Handicap Races: Give the Underdog a Chance 

Ever heard of a handicap in racing? In greyhound racing, it doesn’t mean extra weight - it means starting at different distances. 

Slower dogs get a head start, while the fastest start from scratch (the full distance). It’s not just more balanced - it’s thrilling to watch a top dog try to chase down the pack before the finish line! 

What About the Mechanical Hare? 

No, greyhounds aren’t chasing real animals. They follow a mechanical lure that zips around the track ahead of them. There are two main systems: 

Sumner System 

This system uses an elevated rail positioned inside the track. The hare is attached to a short metal arm that keeps it above ground level, making it highly visible to the dogs throughout the race. This increased visibility helps the dogs focus clearly on the lure, especially from a distance. 

McGhee System 

In contrast, the McGhee system runs the lure along a ground-level rail placed on the outside of the track. This setup creates a movement style that appears more natural and life-like, as the lure runs close to the surface - much like a real animal would. It’s designed to better simulate an authentic chase from the dogs’ perspective. 

Welfare: Is Greyhound Racing Cruel? 

Let’s clear this up: Greyhounds are the most regulated canine breed in the world. Their health, safety and happiness come first. 

Organisations like the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) have strict welfare codes. That includes: Regular drug testing, Strict anti-doping rules, Rehoming and adoption programs. 

When their racing days are over, most greyhounds are adopted into loving homes. And fun fact? They're nicknamed “45mph couch potatoes” - they love to run, but they love naps even more. 

So, whether you’re watching for fun, placing a bet, or thinking about getting involved, greyhound racing offers a world of excitement, fairness and heart. It’s a sport where every dog has its day - and plenty of fans cheering them on. 

Thinking of getting involved? Discover our full guide on how to own a racing greyhound in the UK.