In 1933, two prominent coursing identities of the day, Jack McKenna and Roy Maidment colluded on an idea to promote Plumpton Coursing and Track Speed Coursing at the site now occupied by the Sandown thoroughbred course. With the assistance of some influential coursing enthusiasts, the existing horse training establishment lease was relinquished and despite the wettest winter on record, speed coursing commenced in September 1935.
And so began the story of Sandown Park Racing.
The Sandown Park Coursing Club (with the late Jack McKenna as Secretary) began racing on the present Sandown Racecourse in 1935 and continued there until 1952 with only a two year break during the war. Speed coursing (live hare) was then conducted at the present site until December 1955.
The Sandown Greyhound Racing Club commenced ‘mechanical hare’ racing (more popularly known as the ‘tin hare’) on the current site on Saturday 8 September 1956 before a crowd of 6,000 and overseeing a betting ring of 53 bookmakers. The combined stake money on offer for that first meeting was $600. To put that fact in perspective, the field for a modern Melbourne Cup final would typically boast collective earnings in excess of $1 million.
The original track incorporated a grass surface, but heavy usage contributed to maintenance difficulties, resulting in the decision to change over to a sand track in 1964.
The introduction of computerised Tote equipment in 1974 facilitated the launch of Trifecta betting which proved an instant hit with punters and to this day accounts for approximately one half of all on-course turnover.
Plans to build a new grandstand were conceived in 1982 and realised in 1986 with the construction of the Henry Harrison grandstand, a predominantly glass structure, the design of which substantially influenced the architecture of the current Caulfield Racecourse grandstand.
1 – 1956
Sandown Park opens on Saturday 1 September 1956
2 – 1963
The Sandown Cup is run for the first time
3 – 1964
Grass track is converted to sand
4 – 1966
TAB betting begins
5 – 1966
McKenna Hall is completed
6 – 1970
Club Bar opens
7 – 1974
Computerized tote equipment sees the introduction of trifecta betting
8 – 1986
Henry Harrison Grandstand opens
9 – 1993
Greyhounds Entertainment opens
10 – 1993
The Topgun is run for the first time. Golden Currency and Worth Backing dead-heat
11 – 1995
Track is rebuilt and new kennel block is completed
12 – 1998
Shootout is run for the first time
13 – 2010
$3m renovation of the Henry Harrison grandstand
14 – 2010
595m start, Burumbeet sand and new starting boxes introduced
15 – 2012
Melbourne Cup becomes greyhound racing’s first $500,000 race
16 – 2014
Melbourne Cup elevated to $600,000
17 – 2015
Match racing returns
18 – 2016
The Sandown Greyhound Racing Club celebrates 60 years
19 – 2018
Greyhound Syndications established. First club in Australia to undertake the venture.
– 2018
Sandown becomes first Greyhound Club to purchase a property to establish a rearing farm at Toongabbie in Gippsland.
20 – 2019
ANZAC Service conducted. First and only club to do so and continues each year.
21 – 2020
Women in Racing night held for the first time. First Club to do so.
22 – 2020
Toongabbie Lodge infrastructure completed.
23 – 2021
Melbourne Cup first prize elevated to $500,000.
24 – 2022
Melbourne Cup first prize increased to $650,000. Overall series worth 1 million dollars.
25 – 2022
Dedicated Area built at back entrance for First Nation tribute of flags and Garden. Only one of its kind on a Greyhound Track in Australia.
26 – 2023
Sandown opens Neil Brown Greyhound History Museum. First of its kind in Australia.
Neil Brown
Chairman
Life member SGRC, retired. 50 years connected with the greyhound industry. Owner-trainer. Media for 30 years, former CEO of Greyhounds Australia. Historian. Australian Sports Medal 2000, Ken Carr Medal 2018. Was also inducted into the Greyhound Clubs Association Hall of Fame in 2023
Paul Scanlon
CFO
Chartered Accountant. Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Currumbin RSL. Held CFO position at Pakenham Racing Club for 9 years. Well respected management consultant. Provided financial oversight to SGRC for last three years.
Vickie Nolan
Director
Sales Manager in Retirement living. 40+ years involved in the industry, owning and training with John and Mary Cohen. Owner of retired greyhound. Sports enthusiast.
John Sharkie
Director
Greyhound Owner-Trainer, Lawyer for over 40 years. History of community service as President and Board Member of elite sporting clubs and a VFL life member.
Campbell Davies
Director
Sandown GRC patron for over 30 years. Marketing and Comms leader with 25 years experience. Former Marketing and Comms Manager at GRV, BIG4 Holiday Parks, previously General Manager of SportsPower Australia at Associated Retailers Ltd.
Todd O’Neil
Director
Business owner and property developer. Former Managing Director, Direct Paper. Currently consulting on Mergers & Acquisitions. Owner, trainer and breeder for 20 years.
Adrian Scott
CEO
Adrian is a seasoned CEO with a depth of experience leading greyhound clubs through times of change. He spent five years leading Warragul greyhound club, was President of the Nar Nar Goon Football Club and founding Board member of the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition.
In addition to becoming the inaugural Chairman of Greyhound Clubs Victoria, also sits on the Greyhounds Entertainment Board which is part owned by Sandown Greyhound Racing Club and is also the State delegate for Greyhounds Clubs Australia.
His savvy business acumen gained in managing large commercial operations, passion for greyhounds and racing and community ethos makes him the ideal person to lead our Club.
Tim Belfrage
General Manager – Club Operations
Tim has strong experience in racing administration – having spent most of his working life in either Harness or Greyhounds.
His passion stemmed from his fascination with the analytical side of the sport. The thrill of the chase – figuring out which greyhounds would emerge victorious – truly captivated him.
This deep interest, combined with his academic background in Commerce and Science fuelled Tim’s desire to be a part of the greyhound racing world.
Ron Matthews
Racing Manager
Ron is a people person – always willing to go that extra mile on race night. And when he is not interviewing a celebrity on track, he can be found managing our track staff to ensure a seamless night of racing. Ron has extensive experience at GRV as senior steward and a background in regulation.
Alba Gomez
Functions Manager
With over 30 years of experience in hospitality, Alba is dedicated to creating the best experiences at Sandown Greyhounds Club. Having worked in many restaurants and run her own business, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role as a front-of-house professional. Her top priority is ensuring clients are delighted with their events and feel welcomed at the club.
Steve Rivers
Chef
Steve brings more than 25 years culinary experience gained here in Australia and internationally. He lived and worked in Miami, Florida where he held his first head chef position in 2007.
With more than six years at Sandown, Steve delivers a wide range of menus from Thursday night a la carte, buffets and bar snacks. But Steve really comes into his own on event nights when he prepares and delivers the equivalent of star restaurant dining with three course meals to delight the pallet.
Tim Godfrey
Track Manager
Tim brings a wealth of greyhound knowledge and experience, having started his lifelong passion with his family as they raced and bred greyhounds during his infancy.
After university, he completed an apprenticeship in turf management focusing on sports surfaces and not long after found himself Head Curator at Cranbourne Greyhound Club where he spent eight years.
Tim’s sole goal is to ensure a fit for purpose track on race night. His extensive background in sports field curation ensures he applies the latest research methodologies to deliver consistent track ratings in any condition.
Tim considers this his greatest achievement as he fondly regards Sandown as the ‘Flemington’ of greyhound racing.