U.K.-based racecourse operator the Arena Racing Company (ARC) has purchased its fifth greyhound track, Nottingham Greyhound Stadium.
The course is part of the British Afternoon Greyhound Service (BAGS) and is also the home of the English Greyhound Derby. ARC also owns tracks in Belle Vue in Manchester, Newcastle, Sunderland and Perry Barr in Birmingham.
“We are very pleased to bring Nottingham into the ARC group, further demonstrating our commitment to British Greyhound Racing,” said Mark Spincer, ARC racing division managing director. “As the home of the Greyhound Derby and a stalwart of the BAGS broadcast service, Nottingham is a popular venue that fits incredibly well into our group.”
Nottingham Greyhound Stadium is a family business previously owned by Nottingham Greyhound Stadium Ltd., directed by Rachel and Nathan Corden, whose father, Terry, previously operated the track. Rachel Corden will stay on as greyhound operations director, overseeing the business and commercial operations of all five stadium locations.
“Given Rachel’s extensive experience in the greyhound racing industry, we couldn’t be happier to appoint her greyhound operations director within our racing division,” Spincer said. “I’m sure that her years of experience of running Nottingham, and of British greyhound racing in general will be of huge benefit to ARC as our commitment to the sport continues to grow.”
“ARC is a really progressive company who are committed to British greyhound racing, so I’m delighted that they have acquired ownership of Nottingham,” Corden said. “I’m really looking forward to taking up my new role as operations director for ARC’s five greyhound stadia and to working with Mark Spincer and the established teams at all ARC’s greyhound stadia.
“Nottingham stadium has been in my family for many decades and we have always been brilliantly served by a wonderful team of staff, trainers, owners and sponsors,” she continued. “I would like to give huge thanks to the whole team at Nottingham for their loyalty and excellent work over the many years and I look forward to continuing to work with them all moving forward.”
Last week, ARC also appointed Bradley Hunt as chief finance officer and Alex Slade as general counsel, both new roles at ARC. Hunt is currently finance director at loyalty and customer engagement business the Collinson Group. Slade will join ARC from Eleven Sports Network where he is currently head of legal.
According to iGamingBusiness.com, the racecourse hosts 154 races per year.
