FORWARD
Our industry mission statement:
'Greyhound Racing Victoria will actively manage, promote and develop a
vibrant industry to ensure expansion and future wagering growth to maximize opportunities and
returns for all participants'.
The purpose of this document is to provide some active information for prospective
owners. Most of this information has been gathered from our valued industry members who have
experienced the joy of owning a greyhound and the unforgettable thrill of winning.
People have raced greyhounds for about 150 years but realistically it is only over the past
few decades that our sport has become accessible to just about anyone. The future of our sport
depends upon newcomers like yourself becoming involved. There are many fine trainers in greyhound
racing who actively encourage new participation on an individual or syndication basis.
In most cases, new participation is determined by the availability of finances, so with this
in mind, the following information is provided to cater for all pocket sizes.The cost of greyhound
puppies varies immensely but as a generality the old adage you get what you pay for applies. We
have however witnessed examples of high priced greyhounds exhibiting average ability and some
relatively low cost purchases that have provided bonanza packages.
No matter what the outcome, the participation is what counts. No owner loses the thrill of
competition at any level. All owners can quite easily imagine the TOPGUN presentation rug fitting
neatly on their three month old puppy. In recommending ownership of a greyhound to you I hope that
one day you will share in the exhilarating experience that money cannot buy when surrounded by your
friends and your greyhound is first past the post.
J.R. STEPHENS - Chief Executive Officer
1. Becoming a Member of GRV
Becoming a member of GRV involves a participant registering as an
owner, syndicate member or trainer.
To be involved as an owner in the exciting sport of greyhound racing you have two avenues: -
1. Individual Ownership
This involves owning a greyhound outright. Becoming a member of GRV for the purpose of sole
ownership is free of
charge.
2. Syndication
This involves a group of people (Minimum 2 - Maximum 20) who combine
their resources to buy a greyhound under a Syndicate name. Becoming a member of GRV through
syndication involves a small
cost.
Each member of a syndicate is required to register with GRV
individually (no cost) and then collectively under a chosen syndicate name.
2. Getting Involved
Once you have decided which option of ownership best suits you, purchasing a
greyhound can be done in two ways. It is best to work out what budget you have available and seek
advice from any contacts you may already have within the industry.
1. Purchase of a Pup
The most common option for prospective owners, involves purchasing a greyhound from
the age of 3 to 5 months. Prices of pups vary depending on pedigree and race performance of the
sire and dam. Purchase of a greyhound pup allows for greater involvement over the entire life of
the greyhound. Great personal satisfaction can be gained by watching your pup grow into a racing
greyhound.
2. Purchase a Racing Greyhound
While this can be a more expensive option, it allows you to become part of the
racing action sooner. It would be assumed factors such as naming the greyhound and its first race
starts have already been conducted, hence an indication of the greyhound’s ability can be
attained.
3. Who can i get to train my greyhound?
Greyhound Racing Victoria registers a number of 'Public Trainers'. Public
Trainers have achieved a higher level of competency or have many years of training
expierence in comparison to an 'Owner Trainer'. Public trainers are entitled to
train greyhounds owned by an un-related person.
To assist owners in sourcing a Public Trainer please
click here for a list of
pubic trainers by geographical area.
THE GREYHOUND TIMELINE
|
|
0 – 3 Mths
-
Notification of whelping registered with GRV
-
First vaccinations received
-
Notification of whelping published in The Adviser
|
|
|
3 – 6 Mths
-
Earbranded at approximately 16 weeks
-
May be advertised for sale
-
Pups relocated to a rearing farm
|
|
|
6 - 12 Mths
-
Pup remains at rearing farm
-
Pup receives C3 inoculations
-
GOBIS Nomination form to be completed before 8 months of age
|
|
|
12 – 18 Mths
-
Breaking in process begins
-
The greyhound is named if it is to race (Form G required to be completed)
-
Racing papers returned and race name allocated
-
Potential racing career begins
|
|
|
18 Mths – 4 Yrs
|
|
|
Post Racing
-
Keep as your new home pet
-
Adopted out through the GAP Program
|
3. The Finer Points
When preparing to purchase your greyhound there are a number of areas you must
consider prior. Firstly you (and your fellow syndicate members) must consider the finances
available to you. Apart from the initial cost of buying your greyhound (which can be anywhere
between $500 to $5,000) ongoing rearing and training costs also need to be considered.
Prospective owners must ensure that the pup has been ear branded (Greyhound
Identification) and the greyhound’s official papers are received in exchange for the agreed
purchase price.
The location of where your greyhound will reside in comparison to where you live must be
considered as you may want to visit your greyhound on weekends and during work trial sessions. Your
greyhound’s racing career may begin at the closest track to the trainer so consider the
practicality for yourself as an owner.
Generally speaking, the strongest influencing factor for you to consider when
making a purchase is the breeding of the greyhound. A sire and dam that are
proven performers are likely to produce a greyhound with some ability, however there
are no guarantees!
To ensure your pup has received adequate care from the breeder, you should seek proof of
inoculations (C3). This inoculation will help guard your pup against some canine diseases. It is
also worth considering whether the breeder will allow for a vet check to inspect the greyhound for
any signs of injury that you may be unable to pick up. To arrange this you should contact the local
vet in the area to see whether house visits are conducted and also notify the breeder of your
wishes to do so.
4. An Extra Incentive
GOBIS
(Greyhound Owners and Breeders Incentve Scheme)
is a scheme whereby an owner and/or breeder can nominate a pup up to eight months of age to
be eligible for payment of GOBIS bonuses, which are applicable to selected races on the Victorian
racing calendar. The cost of nominating your greyhound for the GOBIS scheme is $37.00 which is
payable to GRV by completing a
GOBIS
nomination form correctly. This form is to be received before your pup turns eight months of
age. Greyhounds between the age of eight and ten months are still eligible to be nominated for
GOBIS, although a late fee of $115.00 will apply.
The benefit of qualifying your greyhound for GOBIS is to take advantage of the bonus dollars
that are available when your greyhound competes in selected GOBIS races. For example a country
GOBIS bonus race win adds a further $800 on top of the prizemoney received if your greyhound wins
the event. Metropolitan GOBIS bonuses total $2,400 on top of prizemoney winnings.Super GOBIS events
are also scheduled throughout the racing calendar on selected races.
Percentage Share:
Owner - 50%
Breeder - 25%
Person who nominates - 25%
In effect you have the option of paying an additional $37.00 to register for GOBIS for your
chance to win much more, when your greyhound competes in a GOBIS event.
A point to note: Registering for GOBIS is the responsibility of either the breeder or owner,
you may want to discuss this with the breeder at the time of purchase.
5. Warming Up
Where do I take my Greyhound?
Once you have purchased your pup it is then kept on a
rearing farm until approximately 12-15 months of age. You may have to transport it to the rearing
farm if necessary. At the rearing farm, your greyhound is likely to be placed in a large paddock
where it will freely run with other greyhounds and will learn to socialise and enjoy being a puppy.
Depending on how involved you want to become in the greyhounds early life you should enquire
about services provided in regards to visitation, the training regime and inoculation procedures.
It is best to organise your visitation based on a time that is most suitable with the rearer, due
to the varied hours involved in their job.
Breaking In
This is the beginning of a greyhounds training regime that is designed to prepare
the greyhound for the racetrack. Breaking in is the terminology used for the education of
greyhounds before they begin their race careers. Breaking in involves teaching the greyhound to
chase the lure, practice entering and exiting from the starting box and racetrack trials.
Training Your Greyhound
After your greyhound has been broken in successfully, his or her racing career can
begin. As the owner, you will now be required to locate a trainer who will look after your
greyhound during their racing career or alternatively you may wish to take it upon yourself to do
the training. You may find the rearer who broke your greyhound in may also be willing to do the
training, you should discuss this with them.
Option One: Finding a Trainer
GRV can provide you with access to our online search directory -
the eGrey
Directory. This directory allows you to search through a list of trainers and breeders who have
subscribed to this service. You will be able to search the directory according to a number of
criteria including; service fee amounts, location (postcode) and services offered (e.g. whelping,
rearing, pre-training).
This directory will also provide you with information on those trainers and breeders who
also sell pups.
As you will see from the trainers list, the cost of having your greyhound trained
varies between kennels, however, generally fees range up to $50 per week. Some trainers may prefer
to negotiate the weekly fee and a percentage of prizemoney. The fee you pay the trainer is used to
cover the costs of feeding, dietary requirements and general care for your greyhound. Owners must
also be aware that trainers will receive a percentage of the prizemoney in return for their
services in getting your greyhound to the racetrack.
When it comes time for your greyhound to race, you must complete a naming application (Form
G). As the owner, you are responsible for choosing the racing name of your greyhound. You will be
entitled to nominate up to nine preferred choices for a racing name for your greyhound.
It is important to note that the naming approval process occurs independent of GRV and some
restrictions apply.
Option Two: Train your greyhound yourself
In order to be able to officially train your greyhound you must fulfil the
requirements of GRV's Owner/Trainers Competency Package, which then allows you to register as a
trainer with GRV. The cost of obtaining the package from GRV is $90 or alternatively course
material can be
downloaded
free of charge.
A typical day in the life of a greyhound trainer varies, depending on their style of
training. But be assured, while training greyhounds is an enjoyable and rewarding past time, it can
be a full days work!
6. Ready Set Racing
When your greyhound begins racing, the trainer will select the most suitable track,
distance and times for your greyhound to be nominated for a race meeting. A trainer nominates your
greyhound either by phone or online.
Once your trainer has nominated your greyhound for a race meeting the grading and
boxdraw procedures take place at GRV. Once the nomination closing date and time lapses, GRV graders
will sort the total number of nominated greyhounds in order to determine the appropriate racing
program. The Adviser, as well as the Nomination Count can give you some indication as to what
a race meeting may consist of. Race fields are available approximately four days before race day.
Refer to The Adviser for approximate field times brought out each day.
If at any time you wish to lodge an enquiry into the grading of a meeting, a query can be
submitted to GRV in writing or by phoning (03) 8329 1100. You will then receive a reply either via
phone or in writing from a grader.
Prizemoney received by your greyhounds performance will go directly into your
trainers bank account. You will need to arrange reimbursement of your share with your trainer. It
is also worth noting that unanticipated vet expenses that may be incurred through injury or concern
for your greyhounds health may also require you to contribute financially.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The
Watchdog
email is a function allowing you to key in the details of your greyhound or any other greyhound you
know of, then each time these greyhounds are drawn into a race you will receive an automatic email
displaying the race field in boxdraw order.
The
Watchdog
form guides will provide you with a comprehensive guide to the entire race meeting as well as
selections and individual comments for each greyhound. These guides are available free from our
website.
The above services will be beneficial to you as an owner. The website does feature
many other services which you may like to explore. If you experience any difficulties finding or
using a service please do not hesitate to contact GRV during office hours.
GREYHOUND ADOPTION PROGRAM
The
Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) is
an initiative of GRV dedicated to finding homes for greyhounds no longer suitable for racing. While
many greyhounds become available for adoption each year, misconceptions about the breed deter
people from owning them as pets.
As greyhounds have a passion for chasing, sometimes people make the assumption that
greyhounds are aggressive. This myth could not be further from the truth. Each greyhound that
enters GAP is cared for by a foster carer for a period of six to eight weeks in order to expose
them to as many different experiences as possible (eg. cats, children, small animals etc.).
GAP greyhounds are desexed, wormed, vaccinated and heartworm tested; an adoption fee
exists only to recover some of these costs.
GRV have recently purchased a 40 acre property based in Seymour, North of Melbourne.
This property will service the existing GAP program with the objective of increasing the number of
adoptees and fast tracking the adoption process. The property also holds a 100 dog and cat boarding
kennel.
For a comprehensive information kit on the GRV GAP Program, please phone:
(03) 5799 2909. It is also highly recommended to consider keeping your greyhound
as a pet after the completion of their racing career.
CLUB REFERENCE
All greyhound racing tracks have facilities available to patrons. For further
information on facilities available contact your local club.
DOGGY DICTIONARY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Breaking In
|
In effect greyhound school, which consists of a training regime that is designed to
prepare the greyhound for the race track.
|
|
Rearing
|
Caring for a greyhound pup from birth to ‘breaking-in’ age (approximately 12-15
months of age).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dam
|
The mother of a greyhound.
|
|
Trialling
|
Can be solo or with another greyhound, running at a track in conditions similar to
racing where an indication of how the greyhound is performing can be obtained.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Form
|
The performance a greyhound has shown in racing.Consideration of placings, times and
grade.
|
|
Slipping
|
Allowing the greyhound to free gallop in order to gain fitness.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inoculations
|
C3 and C5 vaccination requirements which help prevent disease such as distemper,
parvo and kennel cough.
|
|
Whelping Date
|
The birth date of a litter of pups.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lure
|
A mechanical device that is covered by fur to depict a large brown rabbit that the
greyhounds chase.
|
|
Split times
|
The recorded time a greyhound takes to run from the boxes to the first marker, or,
the first marker to the back marker if applicable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominate
|
Conducted by phone or online by the trainer to enter the greyhound and be considered
for a race meeting and event.
|
|
Scratching
|
When a greyhound who was included in a race meeting is withdrawn because of injury
or illness before the race day. In this event a reserve will be allocated a run in place of the
'scratching'.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timeline
|
