Greyhound Racing

[charliesteve]

Hi, Could someone confirm that there were only five traps in early greyhound races. Everyone I speak to say there has always been six. When I used to go many years ago I always backed traps 1 and 5 in a forecast. (Inside and outside trap). It would also be nice to know when it changed to six traps we have today. Thanks

[murraymints]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greyhound_racing_in_the_United_Kingdom

looks like 6 from way back ?

[Ken4155]

I've gambled much of my adult life, though only occasionally on the hounds. I don't remember 5 dog races (except for non runners) but i do remember 8 dog races. Don't see them nowadays, either.

[Voltage]

Same as ken they still do 8 dog races on some tracks I believe ...in 45 years I've been betting never heard of 5 dog races always been 6

[EDDIE51]

From murry's link
Coursing by proxy with an artificial lure was introduced at Hendon, on September 11, 1876. Six dogs raced over a 400-yard straight course, chasing an artificial hare riding.
So it has always been 6 right from the start in 1876.

[gollob]

I think that Blackpool, Norwich city and Boundary and Portsmouth all used to run 5 dog handicap races

[johnny.5]

Poole used to be smaller with only 5 runners also

[Buenchico]

Some stadiums still only have 5 traps. e.g. Shawfield:
http://www.shawfieldgreyhounds.com/Dynamic/Results/Friday.pdf

[charliesteve]

Thanks for your answers everyone. As Hull was only a small track where I used to go maybe that is why it only had five. (Johnny.5). There were some handicap races where the traps were staggered depending on the handicap but not all races at Craven Park (Hull) were. (Gollob)

[Flonska]

It may be possible that there were at one time 5 traps but ssome bios suggest that there may be as many as 8 traps - according to "jacket colour" protocol:-

Greyhound racing in Britain has a standard colour scheme. The starting traps (equipment that the greyhound starts a race in) determines the colour.

Trap 1 = Red with White numeral
Trap 2 = Blue with White numeral
Trap 3 = White with Black numeral
Trap 4 = Black with White numeral
Trap 5 = Orange with Black numeral
Trap 6 = Black & White Stripes with Red numeral
Trap 7 = Green with Red numeral
Trap 8 = Yellow and Black with White numeral

A racing jacket worn by a reserve bears an additional letter 'R' prominently on each side.