I first had the pleasure of meeting and sitting with the then opposition Racing Minister, Denis Napthine and his delightful wife Peggy at the first GRV Hall of Fame induction night. Held at Sandown in 2006. I had been part of a panel that had spent a considerable among time compiling lists of candidates and deciding on our first inductees the Pioneers. Many had passed but some were in attendance others represented by family. I had enjoyed my first encounter with Denis who explained his long association with Greyhounds thought his Grandparents. I promised to send him my stories and pics I had collected and he forwarded me his email address. Since that night it has always been a pleasure to catch up with him at Sandown and the Meadows plus at GRV events particularly when he became the State’s Premier. I question has there ever been a Premier that attended the Greyhounds more than Sir Henry Bolte. Perhaps it is, Denis Napthine one of nature’s Gentlemen, a better bloke it would be hard to find. I don’t care who you vote for. I called him to invite him to speak at our the August 26 National Championships, as Sandown were the host. He was at the time holidaying with Peggy in Italy, but didn’t hesitate to accept. I found out after the event that in a small way the invite to speak had led to him accepting to take on the position Greyhounds Australasia Chair, a better choice could not have been made. Somethings always mean a lot and I will never forget a personal text message I received when I became the Chairman of Sandown from none other than Denis.
Here is the outstanding story that appeared in the Greyhound Recorder written by veteran Greyhound Journalist the one and only David Brasch.
Napthine A Natural Fit For Greyhounds Australasia
NEW Greyhounds Australasia Chair Denis Napthine says it is “disappointing politics is driving decisions” that are threatening the future of greyhound racing.
David Brasch
28 September 2026
NEW Greyhounds Australasia Chair Denis Napthine says it is “disappointing politics is driving decisions” that are threatening the future of greyhound racing.
THERE are two treasured pieces of memorabilia in the Napthine family that hold greyhound racing in pride of place and have done so since the early 1900s.
One is a picture and plaque of Bonnie Silver winning a purse of 200 pounds in 1912 for its success in the Grand Commonwealth Stakes.
The other is a grand clock won by Bonnie Twinkle in 1919 at the Werribee Coursing Club.
Denis Napthine, former Victorian Premier and Racing Minister, now Chair of Greyhounds Australasia, says his grandfather and his brothers were dyed in the wool coursing men in that era.
Greyhound racing has never lost its influence on the Napthine family.
It is nothing for Denis, even as Premier of the state, to turn up at Geelong for a night at the dogs.
He still makes a yearly pilgrimage to the Warrnambool Cup carnival.
“That 200 pounds won by Bonnie Silver is worth $200,000 today,” said Denis.
Denis Napthine was a natural to take over as chair of Greyhounds Australasia.
Former Victorian Premier Denis Napthine is the Chair of Greyhounds Australasia.
As a long-time Racing Minister in the state, he has more recently been chair of the committee that oversees The Phoenix at The Meadows.
So, when Denis signals his love of all things greyhound racing, it comes from the heart and a lifetime of family commitment.
“I came from a farm life, grew up with animals, and am a veterinarian,” he said.
“Racing people are great people, eternal optimists, and generally positive about everything they do.”
Denis is the first to point out greyhound racing is a $2.6 billion industry in Australia’s economy, providing 16,000 full time equivalent jobs, most of which are in regional and rural areas.
“There is one thing for certain, people working with and caring for our racing and breeding greyhounds can never be replaced by Artificial Intelligence,” he said.
“Racing people are good hearted and having a go. Racing across all codes is vital to our economy.”
That was the basis of Napthine’s speech at the National Championships seminar held in Melbourne last month.
The facts and figures he related are well worth repeating.
Facts like the $1.4 billion household income generated by greyhound racing, the upwards of $230 million in prizemoney, the 25,000 greyhounds in training, the 53,000 races run and the 65 racetracks in Australia.
Or, the $70 million spent breeding greyhounds for racing, the 4200 trainers to prepare them, the 16,000 owners who rest their hopes for a winner upon those trainers, and the 620,000 who go greyhound racing every year.
Some $173 million is spent on training those greyhounds.
Add to that, the $731 million in taxation the industry provides for federal, state and local governments.
And there is also the more than 200 community organisations and charities that are assisted and supported by race clubs, and the more than 100 community organisations who share race club facilities.
“The stats on greyhound racing are impressive,” said Denis.
“Greyhound racing across Australia is very clearly punching above its weight in economic returns to government, the entire racing industry, and to our community.”
But, like the good politician he has always been, Denis Napthine has a message for racing, especially greyhound racing.
“Greyhound racing has got to put out a positive message, and we all have to do it,” he said.
“Remember when Qantas ran its ‘We Still Call Australia Home’ adverts. It was all about building an emotional connection and a really positive image for its brand.
Denis Napthine says the “politics” is behind Tasmanian greyhound racing’s fight for survival.
“It is my belief we need to embrace social media, not counter-punching, not reacting to negative influences.
“But, to put across facts and figures that show what a great industry we are, that rehoming is up, injuries are down.
“We want all the greyhound racing community and its supporters to show the side of the industry we all know and love. Pics of pups, retirees on the lounge, walking a few dogs, that sort of thing.
“Greyhounds are fantastic and greyhound people love their dogs.
“By such a general campaign, we want to get people to understand that greyhounds are great dogs that love racing, love running.
“Of course, some people will never change their minds about us, but it is the 80 percent of the community that does not have an opinion that we need to convince, to target them.
“Greyhound racing has a good story to tell.”
As chair of GA, Napthine is aware of the battle lost in New Zealand, the battle underway in Tasmania, and the concern in South Australia.
“It is disappointing politics is driving these decisions,” he said.
“The battle is now on in the other states.
“The decision in NZ has turned out to be a very costly one. Each dog has been taken over by the transition authority, some 1700 dogs, and the NZ government is paying $35 per dog, per day to keep them until they are re-homed.
“That is $25 million in the first year and it is expected it will take at least five years to have all those dogs rehomed.
“It is pure politics.”
Napthine, as a former Premier and Racing Minister, knows only too well that greyhound racing input helps with the success of thoroughbred and harness racing.
“The Tasmanian issue, and also in NZ, is electoral systems,” he said.
“They are proportional representative systems and minor parties have disproportional power.
“It is my view, these governments continually have to do deals to get their policies through.
“People have different views of how democracies work.”
Denis’ office at his Geelong home has a picture of the presentation of the 2024 Hobart Cup victory by Aurora’s Symphony in which Denis shared ownership.
It is not lost on Denis now that Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff, behind the move to ban greyhound racing in that state, is presenting him with the Cup trophy.
He was just as proud of the fact the late, great Paul Wheeler approached him in 2011 to name a dog Napthine Bale. It won 15 races, nine of them at The Meadows.
Denis says the greyhound racing industry has responded to the needs of the dog.
“Every dog born is now managed throughout its life,” he said.
Of the relentless push by activists, he says those people are “driven by a philosophical position”.
“It’s a small percentage but you will never convince them to change their stance,” he said.
“Our role at Greyhounds Australasia is co-ordination and co-operation,” he said.
“Fortunately, our state and territory principal racing authorities and clubs across Australia work extremely well together delivering quality racing, driving continual improvements and the world’s highest levels of integrity.
“As an industry, we must be beyond reproach. There will simply be no tolerance of bad behaviour.
“We also need to work together to better promote the very positive story of our wonderful greyhounds and our commitment to ensuring these fantastic dogs are loved, cared for and able to enjoy great lives on and off the track.”