The 2025 Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase (MDC) - the world’s richest greyhound series - is being hailed by many as the best in the event’s seven-year history.
The MDC’s Grand Final night at Wentworth Park on Friday night was one of the best attended since the inception of the Chase back in 2018, while outstanding wagering figures were seen throughout the series, firstly around the regional venues, then when the MDC came to the city.
“We saw tremendous interest in the Ladbrokes Million Dollar from both wagering and attendances perspectives from the moment the series commenced in the regions back in August, and that continued right through to Grand Final night,” Greyhound Racing NSW Chief Executive Officer Steve Griffin said.
“Everyone I spoke with on Friday night said they had never experienced a night like it on a greyhound track, with the large crowd and atmosphere.
“From the giant roar when the lure started moving towards the boxes for the start of the Million Dollar Chase Final, to Ken Burnett (winning trainer) orchestrating the big crowd to chant Power and Glory’s name after the win.
“It was a memorable evening, and the figures we have already received show that success with the crowd among the largest ever for the Grand Final night and wagering on the series seeing a positive uplift.
“I was also delighted by seeing so many young people there. I’ve been in the sport for a while now, and I can’t remember a time where I have seen so many young men and women trackside having such a great night out.
“Perhaps the only disappointment was that we didn’t see the Kia Tasman Ute won in our on-course kicking competition. But we still plan to give the car away in another promotion in the near future.”
Ticket sales for Grand Final night rose a massive 43.7% on 2024, while wagering on the three city MDC race meetings - City Qualifiers, Semi-Finals and then the Grand Final night - rose from $20.9 million last year to almost $22 million in 2025.
Ticket sales analytics showed tickets were purchased right along the Eastern seaboard, throughout regional NSW and regional Victoria, in Tasmania, South Australia, even the Northern Territory as well as from New Zealand.
“With people heading to Sydney for a huge weekend of racing, clearly many decided to head to Wentworth Park on Friday night to kick start the weekend, watch the best greyhounds in the world’s richest event, and hope to build a punting bank,” Mr Griffin said.
“And they didn’t stop turning up. The entry gates were still rotating after 8.30pm and the ticket sold was at 9.20pm, just two minutes before the main race.
“What’s important now is that we are able to build on this success and not only make the Million Dollar Chase a great event to attend, but also all of our feature events across the State.”
The win of Ken Burnett’s Power And Glory saw the greyhound become only the second to complete the double – the Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg and the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase – joining champion sprinter She’s A Pearl who won both events in 2022.
Power And Glory’s 29.15s performance also established a new race record, surpassing the 29.32s set by She’s A Pearl three years ago.
The win was emphatic, by 7 lengths win over Group 1 Dapto Megastar winner Eriza Sparkles with Victorian star Smooth Plane in third place.
The win took Power And Glory’s record to 18 wins and 11 placings from 35 starts and prizemoney total to $1.4 million. A tidy profit for owner Jeff Eastburn who purchased the greyhound as a pup for $4,000, the first dog he has owned in 50 years.
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