Greyhounds were first introduced to America in the 18th century to help farmers control the jackrabbit population. As time went by, the farmers started to conduct some form of competitive greyhound racing which evolved into the greyhound track racing as we know it today.

The origin of the greyhound is quite old, possibly dating back thousands of years. The Pharaohs rated them first among all animals as both pets and hunters. Images of the early greyhound can be seen etched on walls of ancient Egyptian tombs. In Arabian culture at that time, the birth of a greyhound ranked nearly as high as the birth of a son. In Persia, Rome and Greece, the greyhound enjoyed similar standing.

Greyhound racing in England was first established for the English nobility and could not be enjoyed by other citizens. In 1014 King Canute of England enacted the Forest Laws, which stated that only noblemen could own and hunt with greyhounds.

The elegance and beauty of this most noble animal is a sight to behold. Additionally, at the end of their racing career the greyhounds easily adapt to the life of a loving pet and have become the pet of choice among an increasing number of pet lovers.

Greyhound track racing dates back to 1919 when Owen Patrick Smith promoted the first major race meeting in California. O.P. Smith's idea of the mechanical lure started way before 1919, and it was up until then that he tried different lures to perfect it.

O. P. Smith, invented the revolutionary mechanical lure that could travel around a circular track that made dog racing possible. His research into forcing the dogs round a track hit on the idea of getting them to chase a rabbit. His experiments included dragging a stuffed one around a track behind a motorcycle. He is considered the "Father" of American greyhound racing.

O.P. Smith is not only the "Father" of American Greyhound Racing but the "Founder and Inventor of Modern Greyhound Racing". It was O.P. that hired C. Munn to go to England and Ireland with his patents to start up Modern Racing there too. Also, O.P. was working on the mechanical lure as early as 1906, but everyone refers to the 1919 date of Emeryville. But before that he had tracks in Arizona, Texas and New Orleans, then to California, where it took off and gained its early fame. (This information has been kindly provided by Tim O'Brien, the Great Grandson of Owen Patrick Smith.)
The sport did not reach British shores until 1926 when Manchester's purpose-built track first held a meeting on 24th July. It was such a success that more race tracks were built around the country and today Greyhound racing is a major sport event in the UK.