Iconic Sydney racetrack to be demolished a year early
An iconic racetrack will be knocked down earlier than expected to make room for housing and community space, after nearly a century of greyhound racing at the Sydney course.
An agreement was reached between the NSW government and the Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA) to end the lease early, with the final race set for October 16.
Drone photo over Wentworth Park greyhound track. Glebe, Sydney. 17 October 2025. Photo by Janie Barrett / SMH Janie Barrett
The decision paves the way for the 3.3-hectare Wentworth Park Sporting Complex precinct to be converted into more sports fields and public green space.
This will allow for rezoning of the surrounding area, the government said, which would in turn allow for 2500 extra homes.
With the lease set to expire in September next year, an agreement was reached between the government and the GBOTA that will see the final night of races at the track being hosted on October 16.
NSW Premier Chris Minns announced the Wentworth Park area, which includes the eponymous greyhound racing track, will become the site of new homes and green spaces.
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The decades-old track will host the world’s richest greyhound race on its final night, the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase, in a move that Greyhound Racing NSW chief executive Steve Griffin says is appropriate for the historic venue.
“Just as we did when we left Dapto before the end of that lease last year, we felt it was appropriate and necessary that Wentworth Park be given the fitting farewell it deserved,” Griffin said.
“It just wouldn’t have been right to allow the venue to peter out with the end of the lease, this way we will make it the biggest night to remember for all in our sport, and all those who want to come along and reminisce.
A concept image of Wentworth Park, developed by the City of Sydney Council. City of Sydney
“As we have seen over the years since its inception, the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase attracts a large crowd every year, but we’re now expecting a crowd like no other will pack Wentworth Park for this final farewell.”
Griffin also shut down claims that the early closure come from concerns for animal welfare and the uncertain sustainability of the industry, calling them “beyond ludicrous”.
“This is nothing more than rhetoric driven by the anti-racing and anti-gambling brigade,” he said.
“Our welfare is the best it has ever been with serious injury rates plummeting and on track deaths at an all-time low.”
The first greyhound races took place on the Sydney track in 1932 and have been a frequent fixture ever since, becoming the only track in the city following the 1987 closure of Harold Park.
“While it is naturally a sad time saying goodbye to a venue that has been the heart and soul of the sport for just shy of a century,” Griffin said.
He added that GRNSW is currently determining where a replacement track will be built, with hopes of an announcement of the new Sydney Metropolitan Racing Precinct before the end of the year.
Following the end of the lease, Saturday metropolitan race meetings will move to the Richmond club until the opening of the Sydney Metropolitan Racing Precinct.
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