Crayford Stadium was a greyhound racing stadium located in the London Borough of Bexley in England. The stadium, which featured races from 1986 to 2025, had private suites, a restaurant and a number of bars.
Evening meetings took place every Tuesday and Sunday, with matinée race meetings taking place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Crayford was owned by Ladbrokes Coral, a subsidiary of Entain. The stadium ceased racing after the 19 January 2025 meeting.
History 1980s In 1984 Ladbrokes announced that racing would cease at the Crayford & Bexleyheath Stadium following the sale of part of the site to Sainsbury's. The sale also included plans for rebuilding the entire stadium on the west side of the closing stadium. Five acres of the twenty-acre site would be converted into a new greyhound track and sports stadium. Racing ended on 18 May 1985 and work began on the new stadium. Following sixteen months of development and construction, it was ready for action. The press falsely claimed it was the first greyhound track to be built for 30 years because several had been constructed within the previous decade including Nottingham and Reading.
The grand opening took place on 1 September 1986, and the new stadium would be called Crayford after the decision was made to drop the Bexleyheath part; the stadium was situated in a different five-acre part of the original twenty acres. The stadium was opened by the mayor of Bexley and Ladbrokes Chairman Cyril Stein.
In 1987 the track took possession of a major competition called the Golden Jacket which had struggled to find a new home since the demise of Harringay. The event had been temporarily held at Hall Green and Monmore and was a popular afternoon competition with television exposure. Crayford also provided a new matinee meeting for their Ladbrokes betting shops and another new competition called the Crayford Rosebowl was inaugurated. In 1988 Dinky Luckhurst trained Breeks Rocket to Grand National success.
The dimensions of the all-sand circuit were a small 334 m circumference with distances of 380, 540, 714 and 874 metres with an outside Sumner hare. Facilities included a restaurant for 138 covers, two bars and a twin-tier glass-fronted covered stand. Also within the stadium was a sports hall complex, a fitness area and a swimming pool. The racing manager was Roy Dwight and general manager Roger Lakey, soon to be replaced by Paul Lawrence and Barry Stanton respectively.
1990s
In 1996 Dynamic Display repeated the Grand National achievement for trainer Barry O'Sullivan. The Guys and Dolls competition arrived at the track in 1997. Pure Patches won the 1998 Gold Collar and also made the 1999 English Greyhound Derby final and Bubbly Prince won the 1999 Cesarewitch.
2000s Lady Jean won the 2000 Cesarewitch, and Haughty Ted won the 2001 Gold Collar for Dinky Luckhurst. Racing manager Paul Lawrence parted company with the track in 2000, replaced by Harry Bull, with Danny Rayment promoted to deputy. Rayment went on to replace Bull as racing manager in 2006. Trainer Lorraine Sams introduced a greyhound to the industry in 2006 called Spiridon Louis. The black-and-white dog would become the 2007 Greyhound of the Year after winning the St Leger, TV Trophy and Regency.
2010s A third Grand National win by the Gemma Davidson-trained Plane Daddy, in 2010, continued Crayford's success with hurdle racing.
In 2015 the track resurrected the original classic Gold Collar competition and the Guys and Dolls. In 2017 Ladbrokes merged with Gala Coral to form Ladbrokes Coral.
In 2018, the stadium signed a deal with SIS to race every Tuesday morning and evening, Thursday afternoon, Friday morning and Saturday morning.
2020s In 2022, Entain signed a long-term deal with the Arena Racing Company for media rights, starting in January 2024. In 2023, the stadium held the Champion Hurdle for the first time. In 2024, Crayford trainer Ricky Holloway won the Golden Jacket with Dazl Rolex, the first home victory since 2007.
Closure In November 2024 Entain announced their intention to close the stadium, stating that "it is no longer viable for us to continue operating the site". The stadium closed down after the final meeting, which was held on 19 January 2025.
Competitions Golden Jacket
Gold Collar
Kent St Leger
Guys And Dolls
Champion Hurdle
Crayford/Kent Vase
YearWinnerBreedingTrainerTime(sec)SPNotes/ref1967 Millies ValleyPigalle Wonder – Racing MillieGordon Hodson (White City) 29.17 1968 Ambiguous Crazy Parachute – The MistressPaddy McEvoy (Wimbledon)29.105/21969 Quarrymount BillBoro Parachute – Ballinasloe JudyFrank Melville Harringay)28.69 10/11970 Lord Phil Lucky Wonder – LachienneDennis Mansfield (Southend)29.21 7/21971 Mad Risk Carry On Oregon – Mad GirlCharlie Coyle (Private) 28.77 4/11972 Fragrant FlyerPrince of Roses – Forest BrownBill Westcott (Crayford & Bexleyheath) 28.41 11/10f1973 Kilmac ChieftanOwn Pride – Stolen TillyVernon Ford (Private)28.58 5/41974 Money AgainClomoney Jet – Leades AgainJohn Coleman (Wembley) 28.92 16/11975 London SpecSpectre II – Hi Lasinagh Pat Mullins (Ipswich) 28.41 5/41976 Gin And JassKilbeg Kuda – Liberty BellDave Drinkwater (Rye House) 28.54 9/41977 Colonel PearlomaLively Band – Certral John Coleman (Wembley) 28.70 1/1f1978 Proud TimeTime Up Please – Girvin KateJohn Gibbons (Private) 28.40 7/21979 Fearna CobblerCobbler – Aidans LadyJohn Sherry (Walthamstow) 28.38 5/21980Johns Luck Westmead Bounty – Kiltean Fawn John Coleman (Wembley) 28.47 4/11981 Deel Joker Free Speech – Leaping LadyJohn Gibbons (Crayford & Bexleyheath) 28.11 4/6f1982 General Fun Laurdella Fun – Satin SashTerry Duggan (Romford) 29.02 7/11983Sammy Bear (dead-heat) Mexican Chief – Lady LaurdellaGeorge Curtis (Brighton) 28.53 5/2jf1983Cashen Son (dead-heat) Jimsun – Minty LadyGeorge Curtis (Brighton) 28.53 5/11984 Gortatlea Brigg Noble Brigg – Lartigue RoseMichael Gallagher (Rye House) 28.17 10/11985-1986, not held (closure and subsequent rebuilding of new stadium1987 Sand StreakSand Man – Rapid Lady David Ingram-Seal (Ramsgate) 34.68 8/11988 ForetopBlue Train – Green Slieve Kenny Linzell (Walthamstow) 34.59 4/6f1989 Fennessys Gold Soda Fountain – Fast Mission Ray Peacock (Catford) 34.33 4/5f1990Hello Blackie Daleys Gold – Ashcarne Chips Roger York (Hackney) 34.12 1/4f1991 Appleby Lisa Whisper Wishes – Moon Bran Harry Dodds (Norton Canes) 34.87 8/11992 Ballarue Hove Curryhills Fox – Ballarue SuzyDerek Knight (Hove)33.98 7/21993 Ardcollum Hilda Druids Johno – Seventh DynamicPatsy Byrne (Wimbledon) 33.87 2/5f1994 Ashfield Arrow Slippys Quest – Alf Arrow Bill Masters (Hove) 1995 Heaven Sent Lodge Prince – Murlens MandyPeter Rich (Romford) 34.05 4/11996 El Tenor Ratify – Ballygar RoseLinda Mullins (Walthamstow) 33.81 7/4f1997 El Tenor Ratify – Ballygar Rose Linda Mullins (Walthamstow) 33.83 10/11f1998Rio Shadow Adraville Bridge – Droopys Aliysa Daniel Riordan (Harlow)34.455/4f1999 Lake Shadow Come on Ranger – Lake TricksDinky Luckhurst (Crayford) 34.64 7/4f2000 Baby Courtney Slipaway Jaydee – Lady Little Les Lawrence (Harlow) 34.475/4f2001 Little Vintage Vintage Prince – Treasure BeoLinda Jones (Walthamstow) 33.77 11/42002 Top PowerTop Honcho – Able IvyLinda Jones (Walthamstow) 33.935/4f2003 Droopys ReginaTop Honcho – Doopys Kylie Gary Sallis (Private) 33.636/12004 TopmeupCarlton Bale – Metric Flower Paul Garland (Wimbledon) 33.893/1jf2005 Merton Flower Top Honcho – Metric Flower Paul Garland (Wimbledon) 33.68 4/5f2006 Xamax Johndee Droopys Kewell – Xamax XylographJohn Davidson (Crayford)33.876/12007 Fear Martina Never Give Up – Expert ViewSteve Willey (Sittingbourne)33.75 2/1jf2008 Barnfield SlippyCrash – Blues Best Buzz Sam Poots (Private) 33.25 1/2f2010 Freedom Cody Pacific Mile – Synone StarlightMatt Dartnall (Private) 33.66 6/4f2019 Crossfield Vince Kinloch Brae – Crossfield Alba Julie Luckhurst (Crayford) 33.813/12020cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic 2021 Ballynabee JetSh Avatar – Monleek DawnSamantha West (Hove)34.03100/302022 Bandicoot SammyDroopys Sydney – SamiyaRon Grey (Private)33.905/12023 Beebee BiancoDroopys Sydney – Clounamon Diva Julie Luckhurst (Crayford)34.228/12024 Kuda HoneyMagical Bale – Brynoffa Honey Jean Liles (Romford)34.016/1 (1967–1984 held at Crayford & Bexleyheath over 490 yards/462 metres), (1987–2010 held at Crayford over 540 metres)
Crayford/Kent Rosebowl
YearWinnerBreedingTrainerTime(sec)SPNotes/ref1987 Lisnakill Ruby I'm Slippy – Midland MistLinda Mullins (Crayford) 25.46 1990Clonlusk Villa Strom Villa – Clonlusk Dell Hazel Dickson (Wembley) 23.932/11993 Loch Bo Lucky I'm Slippy – Loch Bo Goldie John Coleman (Walthamstow)23.784/11994 Lemon Raider I'm Slippy – Lemon Miss John McGee Sr. (Hackney) 23.33 6/4jf1995 Dongadong Deenside Spark – Keltic Cracker Chris Duggan (Walthamstow) 24.18 1997 Kiel Casino Daleys Gold – Kiel Glory Roy Towner (Crayford) 23.70 14/11998Curryhills SteveCool Prince – Iona Lass Linda Jones (Romford)24.28 10/11999 Dower Diamond Highway Leader – Dower CeltRoy Towner (Crayford) 24.05 5/22000 Respect New Level – Hello Gorgeous x 23.918/12001 Marinas Pride Thorgil Tex – Marinas Machine Pat Thompson (Crayford) 23.86 7/4jf2002 Silver Tail Roanokee – Ardera Melody Diane Platts (Rye House) 23.22 5/12003 Patchit Cool Performance – Chartwell FlyerPatsy Cusack (Crayford) 23.30 11/4jf2004 Rockmount Gael Prince of Tinrah – Slaney Lady Dinky Luckhurst (Crayford) 23.47 11/42005 Lenson Ace Judicial Pride – Any Time Soon Seamus Cahill (Wimbledon) 23.83 2/1f2006 Lenson Ace Judicial Pride – Any Time Soon Seamus Cahill (Wimbledon) 23.68 2/1f2007 Xamax Johndee Droopys Kewell – Xamax Xylograph John Davidson (Crayford) 23.95 5/4f2008 Farloe Nipper Droopys Kewell – Farloe Edge Arun Green (Crayford) 23.54 6/12009 Ardbeg Kate Daves Mentor – Farantane Sinead Michael Fawsitt (Private) 23.10 4/5f2010 Me Buddy Ballymac Maeve – Ballymac Peg Matt Dartnall (Private) 23.64 2/12011 Ministry Mayhem Ballymac Maeve – Lady FrecklesKelly Findlay (Private) 23.63 4/5f2012 Selkirk Souter Boherduff Light – Memphis May Julie Luckhurst (Crayford) 23.35 6/12013 Murlens Crash Crash – Murlens Snowdrop Mark Wallis (Yarmouth) 23.33 7/22019 Sleepy GenieLaughil Blake – Whiteys Buddelia David Puddy (Harlow)23.29 4/9f2020 Signature Callum Tullymurry Act – Franks DreamMichelle Brown (Henlow) 23.43 6/4f2021Icaals Rocco Pat C Sabbath – Quivers DuchessJohn Mullins (Towcester)23.38 8/12022Adeles Duke Good News – Tullovin FireDiane Henry (Towcester)23.27 6/4f2023Oh Cosmopolitan Laughil Blake – Ballykett Beauty John Mullins (Towcester)23.28 9/22024Yahoo Megan Droopys Sydney – Geelo Gold Dust Patrick Janssens (Towcester)23.1315/8f (held over 380 metres)
Track records
Current Metres Greyhound Time Date Notes380 Brinkleys Poet 22.85 29.05.2018540 Aayamza Sydney 32.85 24 November 2024 Gold Collar final714 Stardom44.52 24 August 2019874 Burgess Borna 55.89 26 December 20141048Roxholme Magic 67.83 21 February 2017380 HLenson Doolin 23.10 15 April 2023 Champion Hurdle final540 H Razldazl Raidio 33.57 21 February 2017
Former