The claim that greyhounds are suited to running but not racing comes under scrutiny in the latest episode of GBGB Stories, featuring Associate Professor Richard Payne of the University of Nottingham.

Drawing on more than 20 years’ experience working with racing greyhounds, Professor Payne explains why there is no meaningful distinction between running and racing from a dog’s perspective, bringing scientific insight to one of the most frequently repeated criticisms of the sport.

The episode also explores the role of evidence-based regulation in greyhound racing, examining how veterinary science and research help shape welfare standards, inform decision-making and drive continual improvement across the sport.

An Associate Professor of Veterinary Anatomy at the University of Nottingham, and scientific and veterinary adviser to the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), Professor Payne first became involved in the sport as a track veterinarian in 2004.

Since then, he has led and contributed to a range of research projects for GBGB, including studies into track surfaces, electrolyte requirements and post-exercise recovery in racing greyhounds. He also oversees GBGB’s nationwide Disease Surveillance and Monitoring Programme, which tracks disease trends across the racing population, records all sudden deaths and helps build the evidence base underpinning welfare policy and practice.

Commenting on the episode, Abbie MacGregor, Director of Corporate Affairs at GBGB, said:

“‘Greyhounds love to run but not to race’ is a claim we hear time and again. But repetition does not turn an assertion into evidence.

“Richard addresses that argument directly, explaining that the distinction people draw between running and racing is not one the dog itself makes. That is important because claims like these are increasingly being used to shape public and political debate about the future of the sport.

“The episode also highlights the value of evidence-based regulation. Research helps us better understand how greyhounds perform, what they need and how their care can continue to improve. Crucially, it allows us to measure whether changes are having the desired effect.

“This is exactly why we created GBGB Stories: to bring expert voices, scientific evidence and real-world experience into conversations that too often generate more heat than light.”

The third episode of GBGB Stories follows previous discussions exploring greyhound racing’s place in British social history and the employment opportunities supported by the sport. You can follow the GBGB YouTube channel here.