The good news keeps coming as another dog-killing NSW racetrack faces closure.
From the Greyhound Recorder, 21 June 2025:
“GRNSW Calls Time On Coonamble Carnival: The famous October long weekend carnival at Coonamble, an institution in NSW greyhound racing for half-a-century, has run its last race.”
This carnival of carnage injured 27 greyhounds in one notorious weekend in 2022. Other greyhounds have been killed on the track over the years.
While the track had been under a cloud, the club had expected racing to continue. But in usual industry mismanagement, GRNSW CEO Steve Griffin said there had been “miscommunication”.
The article also reveals that the cost to bring the track up to minimum standards was $800K, revealing that Coonamble has been operating without meeting those standards. Even though more than $100,000 of taxpayer funds had already been spent on an “upgrade”.
The Coonamble ‘Carnival’ is described as “iconic”, where “bookmakers would stand shoulder-to-shoulder.” According to Greyhounds Australasia, up to 17,000 greyhounds were killed each year – how many died at Coonamble?
We know the names of some of the greyhounds killed at Coonamble. Jolene Bale was killed at the 2024 festival after suffering a foreleg fracture. Earlier fatalities included Swift Sharkey (compound scapula fracture), Swift Jerry (compound fracture front leg humerus and vein rupture), and Manila Cruz (compound fracture hindleg).
Kokoda Moon, Rubble Ton, and Vallie Rose were euthanased due to “injury”.
CPG issued this news release in 2022:
News alert: Carnage at Coonamble as 27 greyhounds injured in racing carnival
An unusually high number of injured greyhounds at the Coonamble Racing Carnival has alarmed animal welfare advocates.
Over three days of racing, 27 greyhounds have been injured, according to publicly-available stewards’ reports.
Race meetings occurred on 30 September, 1 and 3 October. Thirteen dogs fell or broke down during their races, but no race video has been made available of any races.
Greyhound welfare advocates questioned the safety of the upgraded Coonamble racetrack, which has had its track surface, kennels, and boxes upgraded.
A Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds spokesperson said:
“The Labour Day long weekend was carnage for greyhounds at Coonamble. 27 injured dogs is a high price to pay for three days of gambling.
More than $100,000 has been spent upgrading the Coonamble racetrack as part of the State Government’s safety programme and yet we still see a mass casualty list of dogs.
There needs to be an independent review of the Coonamble track.
The promotions for the carnival emphasised a global betting sponsor and the presence of seven bookmakers. The organisers tried to pack in a lot of races but the product of their greed is the suffering of more than two dozen dogs.
The Coonamble mayor and Shire Council are big supporters of the racing carnival but now, in the interests of animal welfare, they have to ensure that none of the injured greyhounds are euthanased.
Last year 28 injured dogs were euthanased after racing on NSW tracks, according to the industry welfare regulator.”
MANILA POLY | Abrasion to hindleg |
WINLOCK GEORGE | Laceration to hind toe |
LEVI’S BEACH | Torn Ligaments of fore and hind toes |
KOTAH | Toe injury |
URALLA | Torn ligaments of foreleg toes |
ARROGANT PHOEBE | Abrasions to both forelegs |
SHAKA | Pin muscle injury |
LOCH ME | Foreleg toe injury |
WINLOCK WIGHTON | Spike wound/Dislocated foreleg toe |
RILEY | Pin muscle injury |
GO BEARS | Hip injury |
STUMBLE BUMBLE | Hind toe injury |
TOO BIAS | Hind toe injury |
TRALEE | Cramping |
COSMIC BEAST | Pin Muscle injury |
CANYA MOONSHINE | Shoulder injury |
KARTER’S BLAZE | Pin muscle injury |
DON’T TRY ME | Abrasion to foreleg |
FIVE MILE ROSE | Dew claw injury |
ARROGANT BAILEY | Groin injury |
RAGGLE TAGGLE | Dislocated hind toe (major) |
BLACK TWENTY | Foreleg metacarpal (major) |
NO INVITE | Abrasions hindleg and hind toe |
OL’ HARLAN | Dislocated toes hindleg (major) |
SIRIUS THINKING | Laceration to hindleg |
KISS ME KEV | Toe injury (major) |
REMEMBER ALWAYS | Toe injury |
List of injured greyhounds – 30 September,1 October, 3 October race meetings:
Stewards report Coonamble 30sept022