Fernando Bale.
The Young Greyhound Track at Alfred Oval on Lachlan Street has long been a symbol of community spirit and sporting tradition.
Opened on November 21, 1953, the track has hosted countless races over its 72-year history, drawing enthusiasts from across New South Wales and beyond. But as the dust settled on its final meeting at the end of 2025, the venue’s closure marks the end of an era for greyhound racing in the region, amid broader industry shifts driven by welfare concerns and financial pressures.
Greyhound racing in New South Wales traces its roots back to 1927, when the first mechanical lure meeting was held at Epping Racecourse (later Harold Park) in Sydney.
The sport quickly spread to regional areas, fostering a culture of breeding, training, and competition that intertwined with local economies.
In Young, the track became a hub for country-class racing, with distances ranging from 347m sprints to endurance tests over 796m. Over the decades, it hosted weekly meetings that brought together families, trainers, and punters, turning quiet weekends into lively events. The sport’s growth in the area mirrored NSW’s broader embrace of greyhound racing, which by the mid-20th century included over 40 tracks statewide, governed by bodies like Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) and the NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association, formed in 1939.
Throughout its history, the Young track featured some of the state’s rising stars in greyhound racing.
While not a venue for major metropolitan events, it was a proving ground for dogs that went on to compete at higher levels. Notable performers included sprinters like Knockcroe Jersey and Grimbot Laya, which secured wins in local races, showcasing the speed and agility that define the breed. More broadly, NSW has produced legends such as Jungle Deuce, named Greyhound of the Year in 2022, and recent finalists like Good Odds Cobber, Palawa King, Valpolicella, and Zipping Megatron. These dogs, often sired by champions like Fernando Bale, have roots in regional tracks like Young, where early races honed their talents.
Economically, the track played a vital role in Young’s development. Greyhound racing in regional NSW generates over $809 million annually, sustaining around 10,900 jobs and contributing to sectors like tourism and hospitality.
In Young, race meetings boosted local businesses, from cafes serving crowds to suppliers of dog food, veterinary services, and training facilities. The industry as a whole adds $2.45 billion in value to Australia’s economy each year, with NSW’s share including significant tax contributions exceeding $220 million net. For a town like Young, this meant steady income for breeders, trainers, and ancillary services, helping to diversify the agricultural economy and attract visitors from Sydney and Canberra. However, the track’s demise reflects turbulent times for greyhound racing in NSW.
In 2016, the Coalition government under Premier Mike Baird announced a statewide ban on the sport, effective July 2017, following the McHugh Report’s revelations of widespread animal cruelty, including mass killings (at least 50% of puppies euthanised for not being fast enough), live baiting, and over-breeding. The ban, which would have shuttered all tracks including Young, was reversed just three months later amid backlash from industry stakeholders, rural communities, and media figures. Baird admitted the government “got it wrong,” allowing the sport to continue under stricter welfare reforms.
Fast forward to the current Labor government under Chris Minns, and critics argue the industry is facing a “death by a thousand cuts.” Since 2023, policies have emphasised sustainability and animal welfare, but through incremental measures like track optimisations and governance changes from the 2025 Drake Inquiry.
The inquiry exposed ongoing issues, including high injury rates (11,449 nationally in 2024) and euthanasia, recommending caps on breeding and bans on exporting dogs overseas—some of which Labor rejected.
GRNSW’s “right-sizing” strategy, informed by a Deloitte report, led to the closure of seven non-TAB tracks by the end of 2025, including Young, to reduce the total from 25 to 15 (with potential further cuts to 12). This stealthy approach, say opponents, avoids a outright ban while eroding the sport’s viability, especially in rural areas.
With racing ceased at Young, no plans exist for resuming training or events at the site. The Alfred Oval location, a multi-purpose oval, may revert to other community uses, but its future remains undecided. If not repurposed for greyhounds, the large site—spanning several hectares—could be transformed into a community park with walking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds to enhance local recreation. Alternatively, given Young’s housing needs, it might support affordable residential development or mixed-use spaces incorporating sports fields for football or cricket.
Other ideas include an agricultural education centre, leveraging the region’s farming heritage, or an event venue for markets and festivals to sustain economic benefits.
As Young bids farewell to its greyhound racing, the community reflects on a sport that brought excitement and prosperity but ultimately succumbed to evolving standards and policies.
While the hounds may no longer race here, the legacy of camaraderie and economic vitality endures, prompting calls for innovative reuse of this cherished site.
The South West Slopes Times covers an area approximately the size of Fiji in country NSW. We look after a population of more than 50,000 people with our staff servicing 7 major towns and dozens of villages with our story telling footprint.
We offer weekly print editions at $3 a copy and we also offer digital subscriptions across 3 months $30, 6 months $60 and 12 months $120.
We are one of the last truly local independent family run newspaper businesses in the state.
Contact us today to find out how we can promote your business or organisation across our huge network by emailing ads@thetimes.net.au or by calling 0413 763 216.
If you have a news tip, lead or scoop for us please make contact as we love celebrating our communities. You can contribute articles via our South West Slopes Times website.