This year’s edition of the world’s richest greyhound event – the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase - has been hailed as one of the most successful ever, both on and off the racetrack.
Exceptional attendance, record streaming figures and wagering numbers not seen outside of the aberrations during the lockdowns of COVID, has officials not only delighted but extremely positive for the future.
While it has been well documented that there has been a dramatic downturn in wagering across all racing codes in the past 12 months, turnover on MDC Grand Final night was up a staggering 22.5% on 2023, and was the second highest total turnover behind only the COVID impacted 2020 Grand Final night.
A large crowd with a decidedly younger demographic was in attendance at Wentworth Park, and the event had more than 10,000 viewers watching through Greyhound Racing NSW’s live streaming.
“The Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase night was a rousing success across all metrics,” GRNSW’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Wayne Billett said.
“I have been fortunate to have attended each of the seven editions of the Million Dollar Chase, and I must say that last Friday’s event surpassed everything we have done in the past both on and off the track.
“Despite the downturn in wagering over the past year, turnover on the night of $7.8 million was second highest turnover on Grand Final night behind only the 2020 Grand Final night - run during COVID – which reached $9.2 million, showing that there is a real confidence from the public to invest on our sport.
“But one of the biggest things to delight and impress me on the night was the very large crowd and particularly the demographic. I can’t remember a time when I have seen so many young people at a greyhound racing meeting in NSW, and by the looks of it they were all having a great time. The young crowd, national interest in the feature race, along with the tremendous wagering figures, is very heartening for all in our industry and clearly indicates the future is continuing to look very bright.
“On the track, it has been agreed by experts with more experience than myself that the field assembled for the Grand Final was undoubtedly the best final eight the series has ever brought together to race for $1 million, and I congratulate not only the winners, Blue Kermaro, his trainer Josh Formosa and owner Ben Peart, but each of the finalists in the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase for their superb efforts throughout the series, and in helping to make our Grand Final memorable.
“For the third year in succession we had an interstate winner of the race, and with five finalists crossing borders to take part in the Grand Final, it’s clearly evident that the stature of the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase has grown to one of, if not the biggest races in the country, and one which all trainers and owners are striving to cross off their bucket list.”
The win of Blue Kermaro typifies what the series is about: that anyone can not only take part in the rich event, but can win it.
Josh convinced Ben to purchase the greyhound, which had been advertised online in February, for just $10,000 after it had, at the time, had two unplaced runs on NSW regional tracks.
When the dog found some form in Victoria during September, they decided to have a shot at the MDC and got a start in the City Qualifiers at Wentworth Park.
Blue Kermaro finished third in his heat which wasn’t good enough to get into the semi-finals, as only the first two in each City heat qualified. But, when three greyhounds which had qualified in the regional events were unable to take their spots due to injury, Blue Kermaro - the fastest third placegetter in the City Qualifiers - got a semi start.
He then won the eighth semi-final to book the last berth in the Grand Final field, and the rest is history.
