Dapto Showground greyhound racing track. Photo: Jen White.
It began in 1937 as a hopeful distraction during the darkest days of the Great Depression – a new greyhound track in Dapto where crowds could gather, cheer, and forget their troubles for a few hours.
Nearly nine decades later, having become known around the world as the “Dapto Dogs” and weaving its way into the social and sporting fabric of the region, the Dapto Greyhound Club now prepares to take its final lap.
Last week, Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) announced the club would host its final race on 11 September at Dapto Showground after much debate about its future.
It chose its “night of nights”, the Group 1 Ladbrokes Megastar, as its finale event – a fitting farewell for the club, which once hosted the richest greyhound race in the world.
GRNSW leases the dog track around the showground from Dapto Agricultural & Horticultural Society (AHS), which operated the club until 2019.
While GRNSW’s lease extends until 30 June, 2026, its decision to conclude racing on Megastar night will mark the end of nearly 89 years of greyhound racing at the site.
Its first meeting was held on 25 February, 1937, offering a dose of hope and entertainment when unemployment and poverty gripped the nation.
At Dapto, the track quickly became a magnet for punters, with hundreds of bookmakers lining the venue and thousands packing the stands.
Income generated at the track helped sustain the community during what was an incredibly difficult period during the Great Depression.
From the beginning, the club was a pioneer in the sport.
In 1939, Dapto became the first club in NSW to introduce night racing under lights – a revolutionary move that extended the sport’s reach and appeal.
During World War II, the races paused when the Australian Army took over the grounds in 1942 as part of the war effort, only to resume in 1944, once again providing a place for the community to come together.
In the decades that followed, Dapto continued to make history.
It was among the first tracks in NSW to switch from grass to loam, a specialised clay-and-sand surface that improved racing safety and performance.
In 1991, the club stunned the global racing scene with the Greens Super Coat Classic, offering a world-record $100,000 first prize – the highest greyhound purse in the world at the time.
A few years later, the greyhound Nads – and the cheeky “Go Nads” marketing campaign created with Channel 9’s The Footy Show and Nature Vet – captured national attention and raised more than $250,000 for charities.
In 2010, Dapto Dogs made history once more, becoming the first regional venue in NSW to host a Group 1 greyhound race – greyhound racing’s highest honour.
Group 1 status is reserved for only the most prestigious events, attracting Australia’s top greyhounds and trainers.
Over the decades, Dapto Dogs became more than just a race night. It became a Thursday night tradition – locally loved, nationally recognised, and even known internationally.
No other greyhound club in Australia has built a brand of such legendary proportions.
Dapto AHS CEO Katrina Novak said the final meeting would be a chance to reflect on a proud legacy.
“The Dapto Dogs has long been at the heart of the community and became a world-famous name in greyhound racing,” Ms Novak said.
“The society operated the club from its inception until 2019 and was instrumental in its growth and success across every major milestone.
“Its achievements were built on strong community support from members, volunteers, racing families and the Dapto A&H Greyhound Supporters Club.
“As we head into the final meeting, it’s a moment to recognise what’s been achieved and the many people who made it possible.”
Ms Novak said the society was encouraging the community to attend the final race night on 11 September to help send off the Dapto Greyhound Club in style.
She said it was a chance to honour the legacy, share stories, and be part of a special moment in Wollongong’s history.
AHS has been working to develop The Groundz Precinct to better use the 22 acres (8.9 hectares) available to create greater opportunities for the Dapto community.
Until recent years, the not-for-profit group had used the site for the long-running Dapto Show since its inception in 1857, markets and family fairs, with the racetrack a dominant feature.
Ladbrokes Megastar will be held at the Dapto Showground on 11 September.
