Thanks to Steve Cale at greyhoundstats.co.uk, we learned that the average racing career of a modern greyhound is around 48 races.
But the average is inevitably dragged upwards by the iron hounds whose careers endure due to a combination of factors including a genetic component, but also the care and attention that has kept them running as the industry’s Duracel dogs.
Heading the group is the Phil Naylor trained Baker Boy though with a distant last in his most recent outing, after 237 races, the 29 kilo blue may be nearing his stage exit. Interestingly, although his Perry Barr career began in February 2016, his career peak was at A3, and he won an A8 three races ago.
Nottingham’s most prolific winner, Adriknock Amy (214) is eight months younger than her Midlands counterpart and made her debut at the track five years ago this November. The Terry Munslow trained bitch has spent most of her career between A4 and A7.
The third runner on the list, the Stuart Ray trained Blackhouse Luigi (209) peaked Newcastle A3 roughly four years ago and flits between A8 and handicaps.
Pelaw’s Glengiblin Percy is fourth on the win list but shades Baker Boy on the longevity take at seven years and three months of age.
The Malcolm Gray trained runner finished his schooling at roughly the same time as Jeff McKenna and has spent the entire career at the same track.
Apostle in third place is interesting in that although he is just a couple of months off his seventh birthday, he has only raced on 132 occasions. Dave Fradgley has shown tremendous patience with the Kinsley veteran whose return to racing in June followed a six month lay-off.