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History

Shepparton Greyhound Racing Club: A Century of Racing Tradition

The roots of greyhound racing in the Shepparton region stretch back over a century. Records indicate that Plumpton coursing—where greyhounds chased live game—was active in the area as early as 1916. By 1939, the Pyke brothers—Roy and Leckie—had already made their mark at Tatura, training multiple winners. Roy also trained the legendary Kreuger, who captured the 1934 Derby at Tatura and back-to-back Waterloo Cups in Geelong (1934) and Benalla (1935).

Early Days: Coursing and Speed Racing

The first speed coursing meeting in Shepparton took place at Deakin Reserve, now home to Goulburn Valley football. The inaugural race was won by Some Gag, trained by Roy Pyke. In 1937, greyhound racing shifted to the Shepparton Showgrounds, where racing behind a mechanical lure began.

Veteran club figure Kelvin Tremellen recalled the showgrounds’ unique pear-shaped track, ending under a now-removed peppercorn tree. However, when Shepparton achieved city status in 1948, racing was transferred to Tatura, due to restrictions on betting in cities. The club even ran a bus service to Tatura to help punters attend meetings.

Local Legends and Track Moves

Through the 1940s and 1950s, Tatura and Benalla were hubs for major Plumpton events. Local stars like Don’t Enquire, trained by Bob Crawford, remained undefeated at the Showgrounds. Crawford also trained standouts like Saddleback and Cupford, while Bungana became a champion hurdler for Mick Moylan.

Several great administrators emerged from the region, including Jack McKenna, who served as Secretary of the Tatura Plumpton Club and later Sandown Park. In 1972, the Shepparton Greyhound Racing Club was re-established at the Showgrounds with a new 440m horseshoe track. The club was sustained by tireless working bees and community spirit, spending just $40,000 (equivalent to around $207,000 today) to build the facilities.

1973: A New Era Begins

On January 11, 1973, the new track was officially opened by Peter Ross-Edwards, then Victorian National Party Leader and the club’s long-time patron. Over 12 bookmakers took bets at the opening night, with the headline event won by Mighty Thunder, trained by Buck Buchanan.

In those early years, the Club thrived with support from many iconic local figures. Families like the Tremellens, McGraths, and Pykes played significant roles. Tony McGrath, a Hall of Fame inductee, served on the committee for 30 years, including 12 years as President. His wife Sandra and son Carl, the Club’s current manager, continued the family legacy.

Champions of the Track

Shepparton has hosted some of the nation’s finest greyhounds. Local legends include:

• Highly Blessed, trained by Doug and Lorraine Ferremi, was inducted into the Hall of Fame and dominated Group races in the 1990s.

• Thorgil Magic, trained by Roz Gilmore, claimed back-to-back Shepparton Cups (1985, 1986), setting track records.

• Bahama Image, winner of the 1996 Shepparton Cup, went on to claim the prestigious Golden Easter Egg in Sydney.

The Shepparton Cup became a springboard for elite greyhounds heading to Group 1 city events such as the Melbourne Cup.

Moving to Kialla

By 2005, aging infrastructure at the Showgrounds prompted a move. In partnership with GRV, the City of Greater Shepparton, and the State Government, a new facility was built on Crown Land in Kialla—the current home of the Club.

The first race meeting at Kialla was held on December 10, 2005. It featured a modern sand-based surface and facilities including an enclosed dining room, bar, TAB, and seating for up to 200 guests. Located just two hours from Melbourne, the venue quickly became a favourite for trainers and fans alike.

During construction, the Club experimented with the ProRide synthetic surface, becoming the world’s first greyhound venue to do so. While initially promising, the surface struggled with temperature extremes and was eventually replaced with the high-quality sand track used today.

Today and Beyond

The Shepparton Greyhound Racing Club continues to be a hub of community, sport, and entertainment. With races every Monday and Thursday, plus additional meetings as needed, there are 24 races per week broadcast live via SKY and the TAB.

The Club has never lost its spirit—rooted in grassroots dedication, family involvement, and the love of the sport. With a strong history, modern facilities, and a vibrant racing calendar, the Shepparton GRC is well-positioned for a bright future in Victorian greyhound racing.