The Grafton community is eagerly anticipating the 2026 Ladbrokes Thunderbolt, the final feature event of the 2025-26 NSW racing calendar, set for Saturday, June 20. The short-course series kicks off with heats at Bulli on Tuesday, May 26, followed by races at Goulburn (May 29), Dubbo (May 30), Maitland (June 1), Gosford (June 2), Taree (June 3), Richmond (June 5), and a last-chance qualifier at Grafton on Sunday, June 7.
Race Format and Prize Money
Four greyhounds will advance from each heat, with 32 qualifiers contesting four semi-finals at Grafton on Sunday, June 14. The first and second placegetters from each semi-final will progress to the final, where the winner will take home $40,000 from a total prize pool of $55,000.
History of the Thunderbolt
This year marks the fifth edition of the Ladbrokes Thunderbolt, first run in 2022. The inaugural winner was Integrity Mate, trained by Rob Andrews. In 2023, Susan Smith's Vamoose, a finalist the previous year, claimed victory. South Australian Cash On Delivery, trained by Cameron Forshaw, won in 2024. Last year, Peter Lagogiane's Badger's Beast set a race record of 19.58 seconds, just outside the Grafton track record.
This article was produced as part of an ACM partnership with Greyhound Racing NSW.
