# Lifford Greyhound Stadium

Lifford Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located in Lifford, County Donegal, Ireland.
The facilities include the Champion Stakes Restaurant, fast food facilities, a number of bars, totalisator betting and seating. Racing takes place every Friday and Sunday (it was formerly held on Saturday evenings).
Race distances are 325, 525, 550 and 575 yards.

## History

The Lifford Greyhound Stadium was built in 1959, when cattle dealer James Magee decided to convert some more of his grazing land from a schooling track into a professional 495 yard circumference circuit. Magee died in 1971 and his sons Cathal and Seamus took over the track as the Racing and General Managers around the same time that a new stand was erected at the venue.
The main event originally held at the track was the Irwin Cup but it did not feature highly on the Irish racing calendar and during the late 1970s an event called the Abraham David Trophy was contested featuring significant prize money. Many top greyhounds have appeared here including Yellow Printer who began his career at Lifford as a puppy. Race distances were 350, 525, 550, 575, 750 and 820 yards.
After 32 years association the track was put up for sale by the Magee family in 1991 and was eventually bought by new owners in 2001 when Willie, Hugh and Patrick Duffy formed the Lifford Greyhound Racing Company. On 11 September 2003 the track re-opened after undergoing a €12m refit with a new grandstand, two restaurants and improved facilities.

### Closure and reopening

During 2018, the stadium was put up for sale at a price of 1.9 million euros. The following year it was announced that the last race meeting would be on Saturday 17 August 2019 before the stadium was closed. Racing Manager Matthew Duffy blamed the lack of support from the Irish Greyhound Board.
During October 2021, it was confirmed that the track would reopen on Sunday 6 March 2022. The racing was brought back by a syndicate called the Lifford Greyhound Racing Club - Canaradzo Ltd headed by Harry Findlay. The track reopened on 23 March 2023 (slightly later than planned).
In June 2024, the track entered into negotiation with Greyhound Racing Ireland for its fixtures to be televised by Sports Information Services (SIS).

## Track records
### Current records (new track)

| Yards | Greyhound | Time | Date |
| 325 | Gizmo Cash | 17.09 | 24 September 2023 |
| 525 | Wi Can Dream | 28.54 | 2 April 2023 |
| 550 | Glideaway Alfie | 29.97 | 7 May 2023 |
| 575 | Droopys Nextone | 31.34 | 2 April 2023 |

### Former records

Extended content :
| Yards | Greyhound | Time | Date |
| 325 | Golden Ram | 17.94 | 2 September 1961 |
| 325 | Munchie | 17.90 | 13 November 1976 |
| 325 | Fulmax Fever | 17.84 | 1976 |
| 325 | Cooma Slave | 17.67 | 7 June 1986 |
| 325 | Eden Castle | 17.62 | 20 July 1991 |
| 325 | Pats Gale | 17.54 | 17 August 1996 |
| 325 | Fishy Boy | 17.24 | 12 May 2002 |
| 325 | Leathems Jet | 17.59* | 11 January 2003 |
| 325 | Hollyhill Equity | 17.57 | 12 January 2003 |
| 325 | Jamellas Phantom | 17.38 | 26 January 2003 |
| 350 | Kilmalady Boy | 18.49 | 25 September 2003 |
| 350 | Droopys Robinho | 18.47 | 25 February 2007 |
| 350 | Royal Delight | 18.39 | 1 January 2007 |
| 350 | Montos Mark | 18.39 | 4 November 2007 |
| 350 | So Handsome | 18.36 | 18 May 2008 |
| 350 | Mustangsteviegee | 18.30 | 1 June 2008 |
| 525 | Top Note | 29.55 | 1970 |
| 525 | Taxi Dancer | 29.52 | 29 May 1971 |
| 525 | Palestine June | 29.35 | 17 July 1975 |
| 525 | Marinas Crazy | 29.18 | 18 August 1979 |
| 525 | Moss Chimes | 29.09 | 30 May 1981 |
| 525 | Slaney Stan | 29.09 | 3 July 1982 |
| 525 | Erins Eye | 29.09 | 4 October 1986 |
| 525 | Fairhill Boy | 28.92 | 15 July 1989 |
| 525 | Star Ambition | 28.70 | 2 September 2001 |
| 525 | Farloe Bond | 28.45 | 25 August 2002 |
| 525 | Homeless Jo | 28.41 | 2 December 2007 |
| 525 | Barnish Ciaran | 28.39 | 13 April 2008 |
| 525 | Graigues Toss | 28.36 | 27 April 2008 |
| 525 | Rough Laura | 28.25 | 13 September 2008 |
| 550 | Bowe Princess | 31.08 | 17 April 1962 |
| 550 | Glencloy Swift | 29.86 | 21 July 2001 |
| 550 | Fridays Rumble | 29.74 | 21 July 2002 |
| 550 | Phoenix Paddy | 29.71 | 11 February 2007 |
| 550 | Phoenix Paddy | 29.68 | 25 February 2007 |
| 550 | Farloe Black | 29.64 | 14 October 2007 |
| 550 | Farloe Black | 29.39 | 28 October 2007 |
| 550 | College Causeway | 29.31 | 26 October 2008 |
| 575 | Duel | 32.46 | 11 May 1967 |
| 575 | Silent Rogue | 32.35 | 6 August 1977 |
| 575 | Madam Black | 32.25 | 24 August 1977 |
| 575 | Tour Valley | 32.11 | 30 June 1979 |
| 575 | Coolbeg Carina | 32.08 | 1988 |
| 575 | Saddleback Pearl | 32.08 | 1988 |
| 575 | Irish Lad | 31.90 | 1990 |
| 575 | Quare Whisper | 31.87 | 22 June 1991 |
| 575 | Drumsna Isle | 31.72 | 22 August 1999 |
| 575 | Tullymurry Token | 31.47 | 27 July 2002 |
| 575 | Glenanore Pride | 31.40 | 18 May 2003 |
| 575 | Jamies Boy | 31.40 | 25 September 2003 |
| 575 | Cabbage White | 31.28 | 13 November 2003 |
| 575 | Line Of Fire | 31.05 | 7 October 2007 |
| 600 | Messan Mak | 32.88 | 22 September 2002 |
| 600 | Always A Rumble | 32.50 | 21 September 2003 |
| 750 | Mobile Dubh | 42.17 | 21 March 2004 |
| 750 | Beaming Surprise | 42.13 | 24 October 2004 |
| 750 | Lisnahavil Lady | 42.11 | 30 April 2005 |
| 750 | Dromana Blue | 41.72 | 25 February 2007 |
| 750 | Droopys Quiff | 41.56 | 7 October 2007 |
| 750 | Droopys Quiff | 41.38 | 5 October 2008 |
| 780 | Bowe Princess | 45.10 | 19 May 1962 |
| 790 | Barrack Maid | 45.03 | 17 August 1978 |
| 790 | Farloe Frown | 44.92 | 4 August 2001 |
| 820 | Break Away Tiger | 46.20 | 2 June 2002 |
| 820 | Recovery Mission | 45.74 | 11 September 2003 |
| 525 hurdles | Sefanta | 29.48 | 8 August 2004 |
| 550 H | Frisby For Me | 30.87 | 10 October 2004 |
| 550 hurdles | Lemon Rambo | 30.81 | 28 November 2004 |