Swindon Racetrack: Fun at the dogs

Greyhound racing is big. It’s big business, it’s big fun, and it’s got some pretty big rewards when you win after some exciting greyhounds’ betting. Today, there are many greyhound stadia up and down the country; some that have been resurrected from near destruction after greyhound racing fell out of favour a few decades back, and some that have been newly built for the purpose. Built in 1947, Swindon Racetrack, also known as the Abbey Stadium, has plenty to offer in terms of a great night (or day) out with friends, family, work colleagues, or just as a treat for yourself. Whatever your reasons for going, Swindon has it covered. But why is it such a great place to visit? We’ll tell you! The Size The track at the Swindon Stadium is huge. It is, in fact, one of the biggest in the country, measuring an impressive 463 metres in circumference. Why is bigger better when it comes to the dogs? The more space the dogs have to run in, the more exciting the race will be – there are two reasons behind this. The first is that the race won’t be over in seconds, so you have more time to get into the spirit of the whole thing. Secondly, on shorter tracks the outcome can seem like a foregone conclusion – the dog that starts strong finishes strong and that’s that – but on a longer track such as the one at Swindon, anything can happen, and the dog that is in the lead at the beginning could be trailing by the end. Betting Although not everyone who goes to watch greyhounds race wants to put a bet on the outcome of at least one race, the vast majority do. And why not? It’s all part of the fun, and it makes the entire event go with more of a swing than otherwise. Without placing a bet, no matter how big or small, greyhound racing might not have the pizazz and sparkle it could otherwise have. But the great thing about Swindon Stadium is that it is so easy to place a bet that it certainly won’t seem like a hardship. With plenty of staff on hand to offer advice on how to play and what to do (although not which dog to put a flutter on, that’s all down to you!) you could easily walk away with more money than you came in with. If the crowds around the betting area are a bit much, though, don’t forget that you can also bet online, through your smartphone or via a laptop before you leave the house. Perfect.   Brand New Plans have been drawn up to demolish the old Abbey Stadium and rebuild a new one that is entirely modern and complete with up to date technology on site. Although this has met with delays, it is still going to happen, and that’s exciting news. Why? Because although the building is going to be brand new, and have all the fabulous amenities that come with a new build, the history of Swindon is still going to be in place, meaning that the traditions and well organised systems of working will continue. It’s the best of both worlds.