Valley schedule will not change despite wind-down demands
VALLEY will maintain its existing race schedule, backed by both the GBGB and media rights holder SIS, whilst a practical path to the cessation of racing at the venue is confirmed.
Greyhound racing in Wales is set to be banned by 2030 following the passage of the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Act 2026 and Greyhound Rescue Wales - an anti-racing group whose website proclaims "we work for a Wales without greyhound racing" - claimed maintaining racing at present levels could lead to a sudden influx of animals requiring homes.
The greyhound industry has repeatedly pointed to the legislation being rushed and ill thought-out with a spokesperson for Valley track saying: "The welfare of the greyhounds remains our absolute priority, and we are committed to working constructively with the Welsh Government, rehoming organisations, trainers, and other stakeholders to ensure that any transition is managed responsibly and that dogs are safely rehomed.
"A gradual reduction in racing may sound straightforward, but in practice it presents significant operational challenges.
"Greyhounds are owned and trained by individuals and are not simply the property of the stadium, meaning decisions about when individual dogs retire cannot be determined solely by Valley.
"We believe a clear and agreed timetable provides greater certainty for trainers, staff, owners, and rehoming organisations to plan properly and avoid creating unnecessary pressure on rescue capacity.
"We have engaged with rehoming organisations through the Welsh Government's implementation process, including discussions around numbers of dogs, available capacity, funding and the timing of rehoming. We will continue to support and be part of these discussions as the transition takes place.
"Racing has continued within the law since Royal Assent, and dogs from Ireland have always formed an important part of the racing population in the UK greyhound racing industry.
"We strongly reject any suggestion that commercial interests are being placed ahead of greyhound welfare.
"Welfare must come first, but responsible planning also requires us to consider the livelihoods and welfare of our staff, trainers and others whose employment depends on the stadium.
"We do not believe the Welsh Government have given this enough consideration through this whole process."
Abbie MacGregor, GBGB’s Corporate Affairs Director, pointed to more than £7 million being invested through an industry retirement scheme since it was established - more than 100 approved homing centres worked with GBGB.
MacGregor said: “The scheme is funded by racing owners and supported by our bookmaking partners, so therefore it is plainly unreasonable to expect the sport to fund the small number of organisations that actively campaign against them and their livelihoods.”
SIS echoed the track's sentiments with a spokesperson saying: "We share the views made by Valley Greyhound Stadium.
"At SIS, greyhound welfare is of huge importance to us, as well as the well-being of all our promoter partners, the people they employ and the wider community.
“We are working closely with Valley Greyhound Stadium to establish a clear and concise plan working in line with the government timetable where a ban will be implemented before April 2030.
“Logistically and economically, a phased reduction in racing is not possible. However, we are determined to implement a responsible course of action that will deliver clarity for trainers, staff, owners, and rehoming organisations.
"This is in response to a rushed process implemented by the former Welsh Government, with little thought on the wider impact of the community and the individuals implicated by the changes.
“In the interim, we remain fully committed to delivering a highly regulated greyhound offering to global operators, which continues to be enjoyed by millions worldwide.”