To Become An Owner
Greyhound racing is the most affordable and easiest code of racing to become involved in as an owner.
Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC) controls regulations around licencing and offers 3 forms of ownership (general ownership, syndication or partnership) – details and applications forms are on their website www.gwic.nsw.gov.au under the Forms section.
The NSW GBOTA is also always happy to assist in becoming a participant. Becoming a member of the NSW GBOTA introduces you to a network of participants in your region. Head to the Join page here. Additional information is provided below.
Up Front Purchase
Up front purchase – this can vary from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Cost varies on age of greyhound, breeding bloodlines – proven sire/dam, costs already incurred such as vaccinations, rearing, break in, registration fees.
Ongoing Costs
Ongoing costs – significant vet fees, training fees by trainer, prizemoney share with trainer.
Understand Your Expectations
- Do you want to see the greyhound regularly in person ?
- Do you want to it to race regularly for significant prizemoney ?
- Do you want the trainer to be communicating trial times and expected performance to potentially wager on the runner ?
Consider Post Racing Career
- Do you want to have as a pet post racing ?
- What are you expectations if the greyhound is injured or ill and can no longer race – have you communicated these with the trainer ?
- Do you want to be able to breed other litters ?
Arrange a training agreement – templates are available from GRNSW
Once you have considered these things, where do you start ?
Firstly Arrange a Trainer
A trainer must be a listed ‘public’ trainer through GWIC to be authorised to train for a third party.
Trainers phone numbers aren’t readily available online due to privacy. The NSW GBOTA however can provide your details to trainers who you may be interested to speak with – call Head Office on 0285871210 Tuesday or Wednesday between 9am-3pm
Review race results – see who is doing well
Visit your local track – look at a number of greyhounds, who has runners that look healthy and happy – approach these trainers, or ask staff on course for some assistance.
Want to try training yourself – understand you need to first be licenced and have your property inspected. Full information is available with GWIC or head to our Trainers Page
Speak with your Trainer about financial arrangements, expectations and form a written agreement.
Buying A Greyhound
Speak with your trainer, they may be able to assist
Richmond GRC (approx November) has an annual Auction at which you can buy a greyhound – usually between 6-9 months. Speak to your trainer about attending the Auction, what you should be looking for and how they work.
Some participants advertise through publications such as The Greyhound Recorder and National Greyhound Form; available at some News agencies.
There are online forums such as greyhounddata
Additionally, the NSW GBOTA is in the process of commencing an online forum which would allow the advertising of all greyhound products and services. Keep and eye out for this service under the Membership tab, and ensure you become a member today
Post Career
Greyhounds As Pets is one option for life after racing. This program is run by Greyhound Racing NSW. The fee for this service has recently just been decreased to $50. In preparation for the Greyhounds As Pets program, owners should ensure they have undertaken the right health and socialisation needs.
Please remember that before considering ownership of a greyhound you should decide who will care for the greyhound post racing career.
Information on the Greyhounds As Pets program is available here, with more detail post racing transitioning to adoption information available here
Animal Welfare
If you have information regarding animal welfare or animal cruelty (including ‘live baiting’) or the conduct of a person involved in greyhound racing that relates to the aforementioned, we encourage you to contact the NSW Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Office.
The information provided above is just a guide, any person interested in owning a greyhound should ensure they have fully researched and understand the responsibilities, licencing and costs involved before entering into a commitment.