Wentworth Park runs final greyhound race as Million Dollar Chase ends 1932 era
The Million Dollar Chase marked the end of greyhound racing at Wentworth Park, where the sport had run since 1932; under a 2024 state decision, the inner-Sydney site is set to return to public parkland.
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Key facts
- Wentworth Park hosted its final night of greyhound racing, ending an era that began in 1932.
- The crowd for the final night was larger than usual, the article reports.
- Opinion at the event was divided: some attendees and trainers lamented the end of racing, while others described greyhound racing as cruel and out of date.
- Nathan Horrigan attended the final night and expressed his views about the end of racing.
- Stephen Arnold defended the industry at the event.
The brief
Wentworth Park held its final night of greyhound racing during the Million Dollar Chase, ending an era that began in 1932. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the final attracted a larger-than-usual crowd. The night marked the end of racing at the Sydney venue, while the people quoted at the event differed over what the sport and its closure represented.
Nathan Horrigan told the newspaper that his first visit to Wentworth Park was as a child in the 1990s. He said he had trained 10 to 15 dogs over the years and attended the final because of his longstanding connection to the sport. Horrigan described some of his dogs as successful and others as less so, and said greyhounds were well cared for.
Stephen Arnold, whom the article described as having attended Wentworth Park for 50 years, also defended the care of greyhounds. He said the dogs were treated better than many ordinary pets. Arnold, who said he was approaching 72, questioned whether city residents would make the trip to Richmond on a Saturday night to attend greyhound racing.
The article also recorded opposition to the sport. Some attendees and trainers lamented the end of racing, while others described greyhound racing as cruel and out of date. Hurst argued that the site should not belong to an industry that kills dogs for a hobby. The newspaper’s excerpt does not provide further detail on the views or evidence behind that statement.
Moore said tens of thousands of people living in high-density housing near the stadium would benefit when the site is returned to public parkland. The statement describes the proposed future use of the grounds and identifies nearby residents as potential beneficiaries; the excerpt does not specify when the change will take place.
The final-night crowd and the contrasting comments captured two reactions to the closure: attachment to a longstanding racing venue and opposition to greyhound racing. Horrigan and Arnold spoke about their personal ties to Wentworth Park and their views on greyhound care; Hurst criticized the industry, while Moore pointed to the planned return of the site to public parkland.
Why it matters
- The final race ended an era at Wentworth Park that began in 1932, closing a longstanding venue for trainers and attendees such as Nathan Horrigan and Stephen Arnold.
- The proposed return of the site to public parkland is presented by Moore as a benefit for tens of thousands of nearby residents.
- The event drew opposing views: some attendees and trainers mourned the end of racing, while others called the sport cruel and out of date.
What to watch next
- In the coming weeks, check Greyhound Racing NSW’s race calendar for where Wentworth Park meetings will be held next and whether any are moved to Richmond.
- Watch for announcements from the NSW government or the venue’s owners on the future use of the Wentworth Park site.
- Track attendance at Richmond’s Saturday-night meetings to see whether city-based spectators continue to travel, as Stephen Arnold questioned.
- Look for statements from trainers, including Nathan Horrigan, on whether they will keep racing at other tracks or change their involvement in the sport.
How it's being covered
Coverage analysisShow details5 source articles · 5 unique outletsCoverage mix: Too few rated· 1 CenterWhere the outlets are based: Asia 100%
- Coverage is currently concentrated among outlets based in Asia (5 of 5 geographically-identified sources).
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Timeline
Developments from this story's sources, dated background we compiled and fact-checked, and our earlier coverage. Each row says which.- The park was established in the 1880s on land reclaimed from the Blackwattle Swamp area; greyhound racing started at the venue in 1932.Background · from our historical context
- In 2024, the New South Wales government announced that greyhound racing would leave Wentworth Park and that the site would return to public parkland.Background · from our historical context
How we got here
In 2024, the New South Wales government announced that greyhound racing would leave Wentworth Park and that the site would return to public parkland. The decision set a timetable for ending a racing arrangement that had operated at the inner-Sydney venue since 1932. Wentworth Park had been created as public open space before racing began there.
The park was established in the 1880s on land reclaimed from the Blackwattle Swamp area; greyhound racing started at the venue in 1932. In July 2016, the Baird government announced a ban on greyhound racing, citing animal-welfare concerns; after a parliamentary inquiry and public debate, the government abandoned the ban in October 2016.
Original sources
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