Reading Stadium

For the original Reading Stadium, see Reading Stadium (Oxford Road).

Reading Stadium

Location	Bennet Road, Reading, Berkshire
Operator	Allied Presentations 1975-2001 BS Group/Gaming International 2002-2008
Opened	1975
Closed	2008

Reading Stadium also known as Smallmead Stadium was an English greyhound racing and speedway stadium in Bennet Road, Reading in the county of Berkshire.

It is not to be confused with Reading Stadium on the Oxford Road that closed in 1974 and was located further to the north of Reading.

Origins

In 1974 the Reading Stadium on the Oxford Road, north-west of the town was closed by the Greyhound Racing Association but the town of Reading soon had a replacement stadium when a company called Allied Presentations opened a new track accessed from the Bennet Road much further to the south of the town. The stadium was constructed on disused sludge beds and south of Island Road and north of Smallmead Road.

The stadium build was assisted by owner trainer Bill Dore who sat on the board of directors with Reg Fearman, F Higley and Len Silver. Martin Haigh would be Racing Manager.

Speedway

Main article: Reading Racers

Greyhound racing

Greyhound track at Reading Stadium Smallmead c.1980

Opening

The first greyhound meeting was held on 10 June 1975. The first race was won by Mr T Coleman's Journeywork over 433 metres in a time of 27.84 secs. The circuit was all sand surface with an 'Outside Sumner' hare system. The circumference was 385 metres with usual race distances consisting of 275, 465 and 660 metres.

1980s

The stadium introduced a significant competition called the Berkshire Cup and also resurrected the Hunt Cup. and attracted a good class of trainer including Terry Dartnall and Jerry Fisher, the latter won the Cesarewitch title with Jos Gamble in 1983. Fisher also trained Game Ball who he bought with owner Brian Smith for the sum of £8,000 at the end of 1982. Game Ball was put with Sean Bourke for the English Greyhound Derby and nearly fulfilled his promise being a losing favourite in the 1983 final. game Ball also won the Pall Mall Stakes before becoming a prominent sire.

Daleys Gold won the 1985 Scurry Gold Cup before Mollifrend Lucky trained by Colin Packham won the 1986 Scurry and Laurels in 1986. Martyn Dore (the son of Director and General Manager Bill Dore) was Racing Manager by 1988 as the track became renowned for having a strong class of runner.

1990s

In 1990 the Maldwyn Thomas trained greyhounds with the prefix ‘Trans’ began to win trophies and 1992 proved to be a very successful year starting with the announcement that a competition called the Reading Masters would take place. The race offered substantial prize money with only the English Derby and Scottish Derby able to top the £15,000 winner's prize. Poor Brian won the Oxfordshire Stakes for Ron Jeffrey (a former trainer at the old Reading track) and Bob Gilling's Skelligs Smurf became Oaks champion with Bixby (Bill Black) becoming the Puppy Derby winner.

Champion trainer John 'Ginger' McGee joined the training ranks in 1993 and won the Greyhound Trainer of the Year twice as a Reading trainer in 1993 and 1994. The Keith Howard 'Hedsor' prefix was next to provide the track with more success Walthamstow Stadium greyhound Palace Issue claimed a third consecutive Hunt Cup in 2001. In 1998 John McGee returned for a second spell at the track and Paul Young also arrived as a trainer.

2002-2008

The track underwent a major change in 2002 when the BS Group/Gaming International bought the venue from Allied Presentations. Terry Dartnall returned to the track as a trainer once again and won two Select Stakes with Cleenas Lady before retiring and handing the licence to son Matt who then won the Juvenile in 2008 with Ballymac Under.

Closure

In 2008 the local council refused to extend the tracks lease citing redevelopment plans. The plans for the company to build a new modern stadium came to nothing with the final meeting being held on 22 October 2008 and the stadium was demolished.

Competitions

Reading Masters

Main article: Reading Masters

Hunt Cup

Main article: Hunt Cup

Track records

At closing

Extended content
The track records at the time of closing were - Metres Greyhound Time Date Notes 275 Greenfield Box 16.32 23 October 1982 465 Blue Murlen 27.56 28 April 1997 660 Double Take 40.50 14 December 2003 Hunt Cup Final 850 Greenacre Lin 53.26 16 September 2004 1045 Slaneyside Demon 68.82 1 October 2006 465 H Druids Mickey Jo 28.40 22 September 2005 660 H Gold Splash 41.95 24 April 1993

Previous

Extended content

Metres Greyhound Time Date Notes 465 Shiloh Jenny 28.77 September 1978 Berkshire Cup heats 465 Kilmagoura Mist 28.74 September 1978 Berkshire Cup heats 465 Saucy Buck 28.63 September 1978 Berkshire Cup heats 465 Fevata Spec 28.12 31 January 1987 465 Fearless Mustang 28.10 9 April 1991 Trainer's Championship 465 Murlens Abbey 27.89 21 April 1992 465 Coomlogane Euro 27.87 24 November 1994 465 Frisco Sir 27.81 28 April 1997 635 Ballybeg Story 1975 635 Ballybeg Gem Jan 1976 660 Racewell Royale 41.02 17 November 1987 660 Waltham Abbey 41.00 22 October 1988 660 Airmount Flash 41.00 1 December 1992 660 Hedsor Kurt 40.90 21 August 1997 660 Lydpal Frankie 40.71 16 May 1999 850 Jos Gamble 54.50 19 November 1983 850 Cloverhill June 54.28 1989 850 Ivory Lamb 54.19 11 September 1990 850 Hedsor Erika 54.03 21 August 1997 850 Lady Flyaway 53.56 3 May 1998 1045 Home Yer Go 68.60 1 November 1986 1045 Coverall 68.09 30 November 1990 1045 Sandollar Sophie 67.90 30 April 1994 1045 Souda Bay 67.58 3 May 1998 465 H The Dingle Man 28.93 8 January 1983 465 H Harbour Knight 28.92 8 April 1991 465 H Gis A Smile 28.58 30 April 1994 465 H Wisley Wonder 28.45 22 May 1997 660 H Trixies Snipe 42.51 19 November 1983 660 H Run On Tar 41.96 30 November 1990