GBGB chairman Davies gives a wide-ranging awards speech
GBGB chairman Sir Philip Davies has thanked "the greyhound community for making me feel so welcome on the many visits I have made to tracks over the past few months."
Making his first speech at the GBGB annual awards gala having taken up the role of chairman in September last year, Davies went on to highlight the sport's upcoming centenary celebrations, discussed the financial situation vis-à-vis ongoing talks with bookmakers and touched on the latest position regarding the potential banning of greyhound racing in Scotland and Wales.
Davies' speech in full:
"Good evening. It is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to the GBGB Greyhound of the Year Awards for 2025 here at Easthampstead Park.
"This is my first Awards evening as GBGB Chairman, and I would like to thank the greyhound community for making me feel so welcome on the many visits I have made to tracks over the past few months.
"I have been heartened by the enthusiasm and dedication of those I have met – both those working in the sport and those who enjoy coming to the track and witnessing first-hand the thrill of greyhounds racing.
"We are fortunate to have a superb community within the world of greyhound racing with people who care deeply about the greyhounds and the future of our sport which brings joy to so many.
"Tonight, we celebrate the shining stars of our sport – first and foremost, our talented greyhounds – but also the hardworking, dedicated people who care for them, day-in, day-out.
"And that’s not forgetting the committed owners throughout our sport who take great pride in watching their dogs light up the track.
"We have a fantastic evening ahead of us, and I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone in attendance for everything you do to keep British greyhound racing such an exciting, welfare-focused sport of which we can all be proud.
"I would also like to thank the GBGB team who have worked tirelessly to plan these Awards and ensure we all have a great night.
"This year sees greyhound racing in the UK celebrate our centenary, marking 100 years since racing first took place at Belle Vue Greyhound Stadium in 1926.
"Whilst there are a number of events across the country that will be held as part of those celebrations, I would like to draw your attention to the Dunstall Park Centenary Dinner on 24th July this year, during which there will be a 6-card race event replicating the one at that first-ever meeting at Belle Vue.
"Whilst providing an opportunity to celebrate our rich history, the Gala Dinner, which is being held at our newest-licensed track, will point to the promising and bright future our sport has ahead.
"That said, everyone is all too aware that the funding for greyhound racing is reducing year-on-year and this can never be a good thing.
"Funding for the sport has to be sustainable and I am acutely aware that GBGB has never shied away from trying to secure more money for the sport.
"This funding is vital to ensure our sport is run with integrity and with greyhound welfare at its heart. But this funding is also needed to support those whose livelihoods depend on a successful sport - trainers, kennel hands, track staff and owners.
"I have already pushed this position with bookmakers and I am grateful to the Betting and Gaming Council for facilitating a recent meeting with the main bookmakers.
"Let me assure you that bookmakers fully understand the position we are in and are receptive to paying more to safeguard the sport, but equally they have had quite a year of it themselves in terms of taxation and restrictions that limit them as well.
"Excuses aside, I remain very optimistic that things will change positively over the next 12 months.
"As we all engage in and enjoy this evening’s celebrations, it is not lost on any of us that the governments in Wales and Scotland are, even as we speak, plotting to ban the sport under their devolved powers.
"With the GBGB-backed and stakeholder-supported Judicial Review hearing in the Welsh High Court next week, we genuinely hope that the High Court will question the appropriateness of the perverse decision by the Welsh Government to ban a sport where the welfare standards of our greyhounds is substantially higher than other dogs which are kept as pets in their country.
"The decision to ban, rather than further regulate a sport based on a dodgy budget deal is simply poor politics. Furthermore, the Government’s lack of consideration as to the economic impact clearly shows a fundamental inability to grasp the outcome of their ridiculous decision.
"The Bill, which reaches its final stage next week in the Senedd and is likely to be passed, is quite frankly heresy.
"We sincerely hope that the Welsh High Court sees through this façade in its eventual judgement, and at the very least attempts to right the record for a sport that has every right to exist amongst other sports involving animals.
"I want to finish by thanking Dr Simon Gower for his sterling efforts serving the sport as a GBGB Veterinary Director since 2009, following his departure from the Board at the end of last month.
"Simon has been instrumental in many of the regulatory and welfare committees that work within GBGB and the numerous positive advances that have developed out of these.
"He chaired the Doping and Medication Regulatory Programme throughout his tenure, which has been critical in ensuring the integrity of our sport. He brokered links between GBGB and other greyhound regulators across the world, including those in Australia and Ireland, to ensure that we are all aligned in how we uphold standards in our sport and the welfare of our greyhounds.
"Beyond this, Simon was the track vet at the recently-closed Swindon Greyhound Stadium and therefore always understood the reality of actions speaking louder than words and being able to walk the talk, both at the track but also on the GBGB Board.
"On behalf of the sport and GBGB, I would like to thank Simon for his enthusiasm, tireless work and immense legacy that he leaves with UK Greyhound Racing.
"In the meantime, please enjoy tonight’s festivities and relish all those people and greyhounds that make UK greyhound racing so joyful.
"Have a brilliant night."
