Racegoers embraced the festive spirit at Central Park Stadium after a year-on-year increase in footfall for December.

The Sittingbourne venue recorded a 20 per cent rise in the number of punters trackside who made the most of a bumper programme of fixtures.

Highlights included a sensational 341/1 five-timer for trainer Tony Collett, who ended his 52-year career in the sport with an emotional winner while at the top end trainers prepared for the ongoing Arena Racing Company Cesarewitch, which climaxes with a £12,500 final on Saturday, January 18.

The good news was replicated at Arena Racing Company’s other four greyhound stadia - Nottingham, Perry Barr, Sunderland and Newcastle - where crowds were also collectively up year-on-year.

Hayley Huntley, general manager at Central Park Stadium, was pleased to see visitors turn out in force.

“December is always a busy time of year trackside as groups of friends and families make the most of our festive schedule,” she said.

“We enjoyed some great action on track and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Tony Collett won his final race after more than half-a-century in the sport with Extra Place.

“A big thank-you to the team on the ground who played an important role in delivering a great trackside experience for racegoers old and new. It’s pleasing to know more people chose an afternoon or evening at the greyhounds in 2024 compared to the year previous and we hope to continue that trend later this month when we host the Arena Racing Company Cesarewitch final.

Central Park’s winter attendance boost comes ahead of the launch of its fundraising initiative for amateur sports clubs, community centres and charities in Kent.

The Fund-Racer will operate each month with the track inviting local, non-for-profit, causes to experience a night trackside while raising funds for either a club or charity.

The initiative was originally launched by Central Park’s sister venue Nottingham Stadium and works by participating teams receiving 100 free tickets for no cost to sell within their network and keep all profits.

Half a dozen clubs are already signed-up to events being held in January and February, with each club expected to introduce between 20 and 50 new racegoers to the sport.

Huntley added: “We encourage any member of a local club within driving distance of our track to get involved.

“The Fund-Racer is a great way of combining a fun, family friendly, evening out with friends while raising all-important funds for a good, local, cause.”

Sign-up details for each of Central Park’s Fund-Racer events in 2025 are available via the track’s social media channels.