Ekka showcase helps greyhounds find forever homes

Gympie trainer Lucy Roche believes the annual Greyhound Sweepstakes at the Ekka is the perfect opportunity to showcase the breed to the public and find homes for dogs following their racing careers.

Roche was first introduced to greyhounds when she attended the Ekka around a decade ago and has since gone on to take out her own training licence.

She has been a regular competitor at the Royal Queensland Show over the last four years and has often headed back up the Bruce Highway with a ribbon or trophy for her efforts with her kennel.

The greyhound enthusiast will campaign with six dogs at the 2026 edition of the Ekka and is hopeful of finding a forever home for chaser Mystic Art, who is nearing retirement.

“I think it's very necessary to get the dogs out in the public, so they realise the lovely temperament that the dogs have,” Roche said.

“The dogs absolutely love it.

“We specifically take dogs that we believe will thrive in that environment because it is quite noisy and there's a lot of people and that sort of stuff.

“The dogs have a wonderful day out and you just see the look on people's faces and the kids and everything when they're actually allowed to touch an animal and get that happy moment.

“They are not just seeing them on a TV or at a distance, so they actually get to interact with them.

“It's great and I think it's a really vital part of promoting greyhounds and life after racing.

“If we've got something that is retired and looking for a home, it is great to get them out into the public to see if there's anyone that comes through the gate who might be interested in adopting them."

Roche will be one of many Queensland greyhound trainers who will compete at the Ekka, alongside Jemma Daley, Jedda Cutlack, Casey Dargusch and Matthew Heilbronn, among others.