Going to the dogs at Dunstall Park

Dunstall Park has become renowned as a highly accessible, hospitable venue for all-weather horseracing, and is now set to entertain fans of greyhound racing.

Arena Racing Company (ARC), owners of the Wolverhampton, West Midlands track, launched its new greyhound racing facility on 19th September, which will operate alongside and in co-operation with horseracing fixtures.

Greyhound racing takes place four to five times a week at Dunstall Park, year-round, with meetings offering 12 races, each of which is contested by six dogs.

Ahead of the race programme, trials are run to give the racing office a picture of the performance of each dog, providing a quality rating similar to a horse racing handicap.

Greyhounds are graded from 1-8 with races for each, dogs generally being associated with a particular track, while the leading animals can contest open races across the country. Each track hosts open race nights for these elite dogs, and there is a programme of premium races leading to prestigious titles – in 2026 Wolverhampton will host the Birmingham Cup and the St Leger.

Paul Smith (below) is Group Grounds Manager for ARC with his primary focus being on greyhounds and is responsible for the five existing ARC dog tracks – Nottingham, Wolverhampton, Newcastle, Sunderland and Central Park (Kent).

Until recently ARC also ran the well-known Perry Barr stadium in Birmingham, now closed as the site is set for redevelopment to housing. Wolverhampton was identified by ARC as an ideal successor, and an opportunity to create a unique dual purpose racing venue.

“Dunstall Park Greyhound Stadium has been developed to standards set by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain and has been constructed to ARC’s specification. We’ve worked closely with STRI to define the dimensions and produce the safest track for greyhound welfare, in particular in the construction of the four bends,” says Paul.

Built by Albany Track Works, the track is a sand and water mix constructed using 1700 tonnes of Pegasus sand, he explains.

“This sand has specific grain sizes and clay content so that when it is mixed with water, we can achieve a ‘seaside-like’ surface, firm enough for support but so that a pawprint just goes in, and without producing too much kickback.”

Drawing on experience from the Central Park track, which has just been renovated, the traditional land drain system has been rejected in favour of a single raft drain beneath the Dunstall Park surface.

“Above this, there is a good base of stone, pebble and pea gravel which is compressed to avoid damaging the membrane over which the sand is laid. The sand is then watered and firmed to a depth of 11-13in.”

Installation of the drainage raft during the construction phase.

Water is key to surface preparation, so the project has included a new water harvesting system, which takes all water draining from the raft into a 706 cubic metre tank, sufficient to supply irrigation for 10-12 meetings.

“This is a back-up to water supplied by Dunstall Park’s borehole, and avoids relying on mains water, an important move for sustainability and cost savings,” Paul explains.

It is applied via bowsers running on flotation tyres to minimise ground pressure and the surface is prepared using a plate grader which can also remove any compaction that does occur.

Track surface condition is monitored frequently – during preparation and before racing or trials. A penetrometer is an important part of the armoury, Paul explains:

“It is dropped three times – the first time it should go to 60-65mm and the third time 105-110mm, indicating that the track is not too firm or too soft. In a similar way to all-weather horseracing, the aim is for ‘standard’ going, rated as 10, while a 20 rating would be considered ‘fast’.”

With racing taking place all year, measures are used to avoid freezing, including mixing salt with the sand.

The greyhound circuit was designed in consultation with STRI, who helped advise on the ideal surface as well as the specifics of the running line such as bend angle, with dog welfare in mind.  

“Quantities depend on the severity of the forecast and we always aim to be proactive,” he comments. “We’re also investing in frost covers for this winter.”

Machinery and equipment is specific to the greyhound track to suit the smaller dimensions compared to the horse racing track, using 80hp John Deere and Case tractors and 1.8-2m wide implements.

While Paul has his own team of five groundsmen, they work in close co-operation with Wolverhampton Clerk of the Course Fergus Cameron’s grounds team.

“We’ve had fantastic support from them during the set up of the track and in the build up to the meetings,” he says. “One important task is to manoeuvre a mechanical bridge into place to allow crossing of the horse racing track and they take complete charge of that.”

Left: The aim is for a ‘beach-like’ surface in which the dog can leave a pawprint, and with minimal kickback. Right: Dining rooms and hospitality suites give a birds’ eye view of the action.

Infrastructure has also been developed to exacting standards, including purpose-built kennels and a temperature controlled veterinary centre.

Secure parking uses an ANPR system for dog arrivals to ensure their safety.

Wolverhampton Racecourse benefits from extensive indoor viewing and hospitality facilities designed around the traditional grandstand, and this offers an ideal environment for spectators.

“The large screen is fantastic and offers a good view of the action for spectators who are slightly further away from the racing than at other venues as the track is in the centre of the course, but they can also enjoy racing atmosphere from the grandstand,” Paul comments.

Another existing facility that is being put to good use is the high quality track lighting system.

Penetrometer readings are taken during track preparation to ensure the optimum firmness of the surface, graded in a similar way to all-weather horse racing surfaces. 

“We were very impressed with the lighting from the start – it is very clear with no shadows. As well benefiting the spectators and the photo finish cameras, this is also essential for the operator of the mechanical hare,” he explains.

Bringing greyhound racing to an established horse racing facility is a bold yet practical move which offers benefits to both codes, attracting new fans to each and could be an interesting way forward for other tracks.