Owners and trainers in Australia can legally over-race greyhounds. This places racing dogs at risk of serious injuries, including fatal heart attacks.
The only rule that relates to frequency of racing is that greyhounds cannot be raced on consecutive days. Part 4, Division 4: 39 of Greyhounds Australasia’s 2022 Rule Book says –“Consecutive days’ racing or trialling prohibited. A greyhound shall not be eligible to compete in more than one Event or satisfactory trial over any consecutive two day period, except that a greyhound may be permitted to compete in more than one Event over that time period at a coursing meeting.”
Why are greyhounds over-raced?
Generally, it’s not champion greyhounds who are over-raced, it’s slower dogs that aren’t likely to place. This is because those who own and train these dogs can pick up starters’ fees and travel fees just for entering a greyhound in a race – see here and here.
England has a rule against over-racing
Meanwhile in Britain as of 2022, greyhounds can only be raced once every four days. The research paper, “Analysis of soft tissue recovery and glycogen restoration in racing greyhounds,” by Dr Richard Payne (Associate Professor of Veterinary Anatomy at the University of Nottingham) led to the Greyhound Board of Great Britain reviewing its rules about frequency of racing. New Rule 147 states: “Greyhound not to run more than once in a four-day period.” Finally, researchers in New Zealand found that the risk of soft tissue (the most common type of) injury, increased for dogs racing more than once a week.
- CPG blog – Seizures reveal brutal lives of greyhounds
- Warren Young, School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia looks at how congested competition schedules increase the risk of injury for humans and dogs. Read more
- Victoria is the only state where racing stewards note concerns about racing frequency. Read more