With the start of the New Year an additional $350,000 in prizemoney has commenced to flow through to country greyhound participants throughout NSW.
Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) announced late last year that participants would see an overall increase of $2 million in prizemoney in 2026, with the first stage being the additional $350,000 injected into country class racing across NSW from January 1, 2026.
The new country prizemoney was unveiled at the Mid North Coast club’s race meeting at Taree last Saturday and was naturally well-received by participants.
Commencing last Saturday, country class racing prizemoney increased on average by more than 25% and will see maiden events now worth $1,100 (up from $875), fifth grade races carry $1,350 in prizemoney (increased from $1,095), Masters’ events worth $1,350 (up from $1,095), fourth grade is now worth $1,475 (was $1,190) and third grade and above will carry $1,575 in stakes (increased from $1,275).
“The feedback I received on Saturday about the increases following that first meeting at Taree were very positive,” GRNSW Chief Executive Officer Steve Griffin said. “I was at Gosford for their Cup meeting on Saturday night, and met a few participants who had raced that morning at Taree. They all said the same thing, that the additions to the country class prizemoney were overdue, but truly welcomed.
“As I mentioned when we announced the increases, there had not been any uplift in prizemoney over the previous 12 months due to financial situation which GRNSW had gone through. Having worked extremely hard internally to make cuts, and be more resourceful with budgeting, to get the organisation back to financially stability, we were able to increase returns to participants.
“The first of those arrived with the New Year for country racing and more will follow throughout 2026 for all classes of racing.
“GRNSW is also in the cycle of negotiations for our domestic and international media rights, and working on approaches to our Wagering Service Providers (WSP) for better wagering outcomes for us which will in turn allow for further prizemoney increases.”
Amber and Matt Capper took seven greyhounds to Taree for Saturday’s meeting. They finished with a win, two seconds a third and a fourth. They collected $1,775 in prizemoney. The same results before January 1 would have seen them collect $1,415.
Meredith Verhagen took 10 greyhounds to the Mid North Coast track. Her team won two races and had a third and a fourth. Her results were worth $1,800 in comparison to $1,495 before the New Year prizemoney increase.
“I thought it was a great idea to increase country racing money. It gives a further incentive to keep dogs in training and racing rather than clogging up the rehoming system,” Matt Capper said.
“It's fantastic. It’s good to see we’re heading in the right direction with prizemoney again. It's a big help to all trainers in my opinion and that bit extra helps with the bills.”
As a hobby trainer Meredith Verhagen is a big supporter of country racing and says she would continue to support it if there were more meetings scheduled.
“We're only in it for a hobby. We're not out there to chase the millions, like the big trainers,” she explained. “I'm all for the extra money into the country class racing. Some dogs just aren’t up to provincial class, but they cost as much to feed and care for as any other dog, so I see the increase as really worthwhile.
“You need that little bit of a bump in prizemoney every now and again for the slower class of dog. It definitely helps.”
The Mid North Coast club will hold their next country class meeting at Taree on Saturday January 10 with a full card of 12 races scheduled.
