Lifford Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located in Lifford, County Donegal, Ireland.

The facilities include the Champion Stakes Restaurant, fast food facilities, a number of bars, totalisator betting and seating. Racing takes place every Friday and Sunday (it was formerly held on Saturday evenings).

Race distances are 325, 525, 550 and 575 yards.

History The Lifford Greyhound Stadium was built in 1959, when cattle dealer James Magee decided to convert some more of his grazing land from a schooling track into a professional 495 yard circumference circuit. Magee died in 1971 and his sons Cathal and Seamus took over the track as the Racing and General Managers around the same time that a new stand was erected at the venue.

The main event originally held at the track was the Irwin Cup but it did not feature highly on the Irish racing calendar and during the late 1970s an event called the Abraham David Trophy was contested featuring significant prize money. Many top greyhounds have appeared here including Yellow Printer who began his career at Lifford as a puppy. Race distances were 350, 525, 550, 575, 750 and 820 yards.

After 32 years association the track was put up for sale by the Magee family in 1991 and was eventually bought by new owners in 2001 when Willie, Hugh and Patrick Duffy formed the Lifford Greyhound Racing Company. On 11 September 2003 the track re-opened after undergoing a €12m refit with a new grandstand, two restaurants and improved facilities.

Closure and reopening During 2018, the stadium was put up for sale at a price of 1.9 million euros. The following year it was announced that the last race meeting would be on Saturday 17 August 2019 before the stadium was closed. Racing Manager Matthew Duffy blamed the lack of support from the Irish Greyhound Board.

During October 2021, it was confirmed that the track would reopen on Sunday 6 March 2022. The racing was brought back by a syndicate called the Lifford Greyhound Racing Club - Canaradzo Ltd headed by Harry Findlay. The track reopened on 23 March 2023 (slightly later than planned).

In June 2024, the track entered into negotiation with Greyhound Racing Ireland for its fixtures to be televised by Sports Information Services (SIS).

Track records Current records (new track)

Yards Greyhound Time Date Notes325 Gizmo Cash17.0924 September 2023525 Wi Can Dream28.542 April 2023550 Glideaway Alfie29.977 May 2023575 Droopys Nextone31.342 April 2023

Former records

Yards Greyhound Time Date Notes325 Golden Ram 17.94 2 September 1961325 Munchie 17.90 13 November 1976325 Fulmax Fever17.84 1976 325 Cooma Slave 17.67 7 June 1986325 Eden Castle 17.62 20 July 1991325 Pats Gale 17.5417 August 1996325 Fishy Boy17.2412 May 2002 325 Leathems Jet17.59*11 January 2003325 Hollyhill Equity17.57 12 January 2003 325 Jamellas Phantom17.3826 January 2003350 Kilmalady Boy18.4925 September 2003350 Droopys Robinho18.4725 February 2007 350 Royal Delight18.391 January 2007 350 Montos Mark 18.39 4 November 2007350 So Handsome 18.36 18 May 2008 350 Mustangsteviegee 18.301 June 2008525 Top Note 29.55 1970525 Taxi Dancer 29.52 29 May 1971 525 Palestine June 29.35 17 July 1975525 Marinas Crazy 29.18 18 August 1979525 Moss Chimes 29.09 30 May 1981525 Slaney Stan 29.09 3 July 1982525 Erins Eye 29.09 4 October 1986 525 Fairhill Boy 28.92 15 July 1989 525 Star Ambition 28.70 2 September 2001 525 Farloe Bond 28.45 25 August 2002525 Homeless Jo 28.41 2 December 2007525 Barnish Ciaran 28.39 13 April 2008525 Graigues Toss 28.36 27 April 2008525 Rough Laura28.2513 September 2008550 Bowe Princess 31.08 17 April 1962550 Glencloy Swift 29.86 21 July 2001550 Fridays Rumble 29.74 21 July 2002 550 Phoenix Paddy 29.71 11 February 2007 550 Phoenix Paddy 29.68 25 February 2007550 Farloe Black 29.64 14 October 2007550 Farloe Black 29.39 28 October 2007 550 College Causeway29.3126 October 2008575 Duel 32.46 11 May 1967575 Silent Rogue 32.35 6 August 1977575 Madam Black 32.25 24 August 1977575 Tour Valley 32.11 30 June 1979 575 Coolbeg Carina 32.08 1988575 Saddleback Pearl32.08 1988575 Irish Lad 31.90 1990575 Quare Whisper 31.87 22 June 1991575 Drumsna Isle 31.72 22 August 1999 575 Tullymurry Token31.47 27 July 2002575 Glenanore Pride 31.40 18 May 2003 575 Jamies Boy 31.40 25 September 2003 575 Cabbage White 31.28 13 November 2003575 Line Of Fire31.057 October 2007600 Messan Mak 32.88 22 September 2002600Always A Rumble32.5021 September 2003750 Mobile Dubh 42.17 21 March 2004750 Beaming Surprise42.13 24 October 2004750 Lisnahavil Lady 42.11 30 April 2005750 Dromana Blue 41.72 25 February 2007 750 Droopys Quiff 41.56 7 October 2007 750 Droopys Quiff 41.385 October 2008780 Bowe Princess 45.10 19 May 1962790Barrack Maid 45.03 17 August 1978790 Farloe Frown 44.92 4 August 2001 820 Break Away Tiger46.20 2 June 2002 820 Recovery Mission45.7411 September 2003525 hurdles Sefanta29.488 August 2004550 HFrisby For Me 30.87 10 October 2004550 hurdles Lemon Rambo30.8128 November 2004

References