Latest news with #SteveGriffin
The Advertiser
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
As Aussie as meat pies and Holden: farewell Dapto Dogs
It's a random winter's night at the world famous Dapto Dogs and no more than 50 people are in attendance. The subdued scene makes it hard to believe thousands once routinely packed into the showground's grandstand to watch the greyhounds go around. In less than a year, there will be nobody left in the stands as the lights on the iconic track are turned off for the final time. The first race meet at Dapto was held in February 1937. Next June, just shy of its 90th year in operation, the racetrack will close. The decision came after the showground's owners, the Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society, opted not to extend its lease. David from Goulburn, who is happy to chat but prefers not to give his last name, has been a hobby trainer since 1958 and spent decades travelling to racetracks across southern NSW. While the 84-year-old is saddened by the reality Dapto will close, he acknowledges the sport needs to progress. "Racing has been good to me ... there's good money to be earned," he tells AAP. "There was a time there would be thousands of people in the stands but since COVID people prefer to stay at home. "I'll be sad to see Dapto close but that's just progress." Greyhound NSW chief executive Steve Griffin, who took on the job in March, says the organisation initially tried to negotiate a 20-year lease with the owners but were unsuccessful. "It's very much a landlord-tenant thing so we've got no real basis to challenge it," he laments. "At the end of the day we need to make long-term investments in the sport and we're ready to do that, so we need to move on." But the closure at Dapto has been a hard pill to swallow. "For the staff and local trainers who have been using that site for generations, they are grieving and have a sense of loss, as do people in the community," Mr Griffin says. "It may sound clichéd but the Dapto Dogs is as Australian as meat pies and Holden cars and whether you are a punter or not, you have heard of the name. "It is an iconic venue and location and it's disappointing but we do need to move forward." Twenty-year-old Seth Hermann is one of the younger brigade of Dapto locals rarely seen at the track of late. He remembers going to the races with his dad as a five-year-old, back when a full house was the standard. Now an apprentice electrician, seeing the track lights aglow on his way home from work and in the knowledge they won't be on for much longer, he decided to pull in for a drink or two. "I'm not skilled enough for punting but I'll give the dogs a watch," he offers. "Every Thursday on my way home from work, I see the lights and think I should go watch but I don't. "I saw the lights tonight and thought I better come and see it before it shuts because who knows when the next time I can come will be." But even he expected a few more people to have the same idea. "(The closure) is sad news, not so much that it's stopping racing but just that this is something that Dapto is known for," he says. "You see it on TV and you think that's pretty cool, I shop there, I live there." Trainers and punters will still have two greyhound racing options in the Illawarra area, further north at Bulli and to the south at Nowra. Greyhound NSW insists racing is a thriving sport in the state, with 26 clubs. It holds more than 1200 meetings a year, hosting 14,000 races, attracting almost 170,000 spectators and paying out more than $50 million in prize money. It also generates more than $800 million every year, supporting more than 4500 jobs of which almost half are in regional areas. The organisation is currently completing an optimisation process, as there are currently too many racecourses in NSW. Compared to 13 in Victoria, there are 27 in NSW. It's also difficult for clubs to maintain a profit if they are only racing once a week, Mr Griffin says. "We want to connect, excite and delight the community," he explains. "That could mean changing what the product looks like, racing on astroturf and straight tracks, with safety for greyhounds the imperative. "We need to get even better at welfare and reducing injury rates and we need to place the greyhounds in good homes when they become pets." The industry is preparing to celebrate its 100th birthday in 2027. As for the next 100 years, appealing to the next generation will be key to its survival. There are between 200 and 300 trainers under the age of 25, Mr Griffin says. "We are cognisant of the fact the industry has a very aged demographic and we need to have a future of people in the sport," he adds. "It's not an easy life to be a trainer and it's not attractive for a lot of people. "But there are those looking to come into the sport and we need to support them." It's a random winter's night at the world famous Dapto Dogs and no more than 50 people are in attendance. The subdued scene makes it hard to believe thousands once routinely packed into the showground's grandstand to watch the greyhounds go around. In less than a year, there will be nobody left in the stands as the lights on the iconic track are turned off for the final time. The first race meet at Dapto was held in February 1937. Next June, just shy of its 90th year in operation, the racetrack will close. The decision came after the showground's owners, the Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society, opted not to extend its lease. David from Goulburn, who is happy to chat but prefers not to give his last name, has been a hobby trainer since 1958 and spent decades travelling to racetracks across southern NSW. While the 84-year-old is saddened by the reality Dapto will close, he acknowledges the sport needs to progress. "Racing has been good to me ... there's good money to be earned," he tells AAP. "There was a time there would be thousands of people in the stands but since COVID people prefer to stay at home. "I'll be sad to see Dapto close but that's just progress." Greyhound NSW chief executive Steve Griffin, who took on the job in March, says the organisation initially tried to negotiate a 20-year lease with the owners but were unsuccessful. "It's very much a landlord-tenant thing so we've got no real basis to challenge it," he laments. "At the end of the day we need to make long-term investments in the sport and we're ready to do that, so we need to move on." But the closure at Dapto has been a hard pill to swallow. "For the staff and local trainers who have been using that site for generations, they are grieving and have a sense of loss, as do people in the community," Mr Griffin says. "It may sound clichéd but the Dapto Dogs is as Australian as meat pies and Holden cars and whether you are a punter or not, you have heard of the name. "It is an iconic venue and location and it's disappointing but we do need to move forward." Twenty-year-old Seth Hermann is one of the younger brigade of Dapto locals rarely seen at the track of late. He remembers going to the races with his dad as a five-year-old, back when a full house was the standard. Now an apprentice electrician, seeing the track lights aglow on his way home from work and in the knowledge they won't be on for much longer, he decided to pull in for a drink or two. "I'm not skilled enough for punting but I'll give the dogs a watch," he offers. "Every Thursday on my way home from work, I see the lights and think I should go watch but I don't. "I saw the lights tonight and thought I better come and see it before it shuts because who knows when the next time I can come will be." But even he expected a few more people to have the same idea. "(The closure) is sad news, not so much that it's stopping racing but just that this is something that Dapto is known for," he says. "You see it on TV and you think that's pretty cool, I shop there, I live there." Trainers and punters will still have two greyhound racing options in the Illawarra area, further north at Bulli and to the south at Nowra. Greyhound NSW insists racing is a thriving sport in the state, with 26 clubs. It holds more than 1200 meetings a year, hosting 14,000 races, attracting almost 170,000 spectators and paying out more than $50 million in prize money. It also generates more than $800 million every year, supporting more than 4500 jobs of which almost half are in regional areas. The organisation is currently completing an optimisation process, as there are currently too many racecourses in NSW. Compared to 13 in Victoria, there are 27 in NSW. It's also difficult for clubs to maintain a profit if they are only racing once a week, Mr Griffin says. "We want to connect, excite and delight the community," he explains. "That could mean changing what the product looks like, racing on astroturf and straight tracks, with safety for greyhounds the imperative. "We need to get even better at welfare and reducing injury rates and we need to place the greyhounds in good homes when they become pets." The industry is preparing to celebrate its 100th birthday in 2027. As for the next 100 years, appealing to the next generation will be key to its survival. There are between 200 and 300 trainers under the age of 25, Mr Griffin says. "We are cognisant of the fact the industry has a very aged demographic and we need to have a future of people in the sport," he adds. "It's not an easy life to be a trainer and it's not attractive for a lot of people. "But there are those looking to come into the sport and we need to support them." It's a random winter's night at the world famous Dapto Dogs and no more than 50 people are in attendance. The subdued scene makes it hard to believe thousands once routinely packed into the showground's grandstand to watch the greyhounds go around. In less than a year, there will be nobody left in the stands as the lights on the iconic track are turned off for the final time. The first race meet at Dapto was held in February 1937. Next June, just shy of its 90th year in operation, the racetrack will close. The decision came after the showground's owners, the Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society, opted not to extend its lease. David from Goulburn, who is happy to chat but prefers not to give his last name, has been a hobby trainer since 1958 and spent decades travelling to racetracks across southern NSW. While the 84-year-old is saddened by the reality Dapto will close, he acknowledges the sport needs to progress. "Racing has been good to me ... there's good money to be earned," he tells AAP. "There was a time there would be thousands of people in the stands but since COVID people prefer to stay at home. "I'll be sad to see Dapto close but that's just progress." Greyhound NSW chief executive Steve Griffin, who took on the job in March, says the organisation initially tried to negotiate a 20-year lease with the owners but were unsuccessful. "It's very much a landlord-tenant thing so we've got no real basis to challenge it," he laments. "At the end of the day we need to make long-term investments in the sport and we're ready to do that, so we need to move on." But the closure at Dapto has been a hard pill to swallow. "For the staff and local trainers who have been using that site for generations, they are grieving and have a sense of loss, as do people in the community," Mr Griffin says. "It may sound clichéd but the Dapto Dogs is as Australian as meat pies and Holden cars and whether you are a punter or not, you have heard of the name. "It is an iconic venue and location and it's disappointing but we do need to move forward." Twenty-year-old Seth Hermann is one of the younger brigade of Dapto locals rarely seen at the track of late. He remembers going to the races with his dad as a five-year-old, back when a full house was the standard. Now an apprentice electrician, seeing the track lights aglow on his way home from work and in the knowledge they won't be on for much longer, he decided to pull in for a drink or two. "I'm not skilled enough for punting but I'll give the dogs a watch," he offers. "Every Thursday on my way home from work, I see the lights and think I should go watch but I don't. "I saw the lights tonight and thought I better come and see it before it shuts because who knows when the next time I can come will be." But even he expected a few more people to have the same idea. "(The closure) is sad news, not so much that it's stopping racing but just that this is something that Dapto is known for," he says. "You see it on TV and you think that's pretty cool, I shop there, I live there." Trainers and punters will still have two greyhound racing options in the Illawarra area, further north at Bulli and to the south at Nowra. Greyhound NSW insists racing is a thriving sport in the state, with 26 clubs. It holds more than 1200 meetings a year, hosting 14,000 races, attracting almost 170,000 spectators and paying out more than $50 million in prize money. It also generates more than $800 million every year, supporting more than 4500 jobs of which almost half are in regional areas. The organisation is currently completing an optimisation process, as there are currently too many racecourses in NSW. Compared to 13 in Victoria, there are 27 in NSW. It's also difficult for clubs to maintain a profit if they are only racing once a week, Mr Griffin says. "We want to connect, excite and delight the community," he explains. "That could mean changing what the product looks like, racing on astroturf and straight tracks, with safety for greyhounds the imperative. "We need to get even better at welfare and reducing injury rates and we need to place the greyhounds in good homes when they become pets." The industry is preparing to celebrate its 100th birthday in 2027. As for the next 100 years, appealing to the next generation will be key to its survival. There are between 200 and 300 trainers under the age of 25, Mr Griffin says. "We are cognisant of the fact the industry has a very aged demographic and we need to have a future of people in the sport," he adds. "It's not an easy life to be a trainer and it's not attractive for a lot of people. "But there are those looking to come into the sport and we need to support them." It's a random winter's night at the world famous Dapto Dogs and no more than 50 people are in attendance. The subdued scene makes it hard to believe thousands once routinely packed into the showground's grandstand to watch the greyhounds go around. In less than a year, there will be nobody left in the stands as the lights on the iconic track are turned off for the final time. The first race meet at Dapto was held in February 1937. Next June, just shy of its 90th year in operation, the racetrack will close. The decision came after the showground's owners, the Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society, opted not to extend its lease. David from Goulburn, who is happy to chat but prefers not to give his last name, has been a hobby trainer since 1958 and spent decades travelling to racetracks across southern NSW. While the 84-year-old is saddened by the reality Dapto will close, he acknowledges the sport needs to progress. "Racing has been good to me ... there's good money to be earned," he tells AAP. "There was a time there would be thousands of people in the stands but since COVID people prefer to stay at home. "I'll be sad to see Dapto close but that's just progress." Greyhound NSW chief executive Steve Griffin, who took on the job in March, says the organisation initially tried to negotiate a 20-year lease with the owners but were unsuccessful. "It's very much a landlord-tenant thing so we've got no real basis to challenge it," he laments. "At the end of the day we need to make long-term investments in the sport and we're ready to do that, so we need to move on." But the closure at Dapto has been a hard pill to swallow. "For the staff and local trainers who have been using that site for generations, they are grieving and have a sense of loss, as do people in the community," Mr Griffin says. "It may sound clichéd but the Dapto Dogs is as Australian as meat pies and Holden cars and whether you are a punter or not, you have heard of the name. "It is an iconic venue and location and it's disappointing but we do need to move forward." Twenty-year-old Seth Hermann is one of the younger brigade of Dapto locals rarely seen at the track of late. He remembers going to the races with his dad as a five-year-old, back when a full house was the standard. Now an apprentice electrician, seeing the track lights aglow on his way home from work and in the knowledge they won't be on for much longer, he decided to pull in for a drink or two. "I'm not skilled enough for punting but I'll give the dogs a watch," he offers. "Every Thursday on my way home from work, I see the lights and think I should go watch but I don't. "I saw the lights tonight and thought I better come and see it before it shuts because who knows when the next time I can come will be." But even he expected a few more people to have the same idea. "(The closure) is sad news, not so much that it's stopping racing but just that this is something that Dapto is known for," he says. "You see it on TV and you think that's pretty cool, I shop there, I live there." Trainers and punters will still have two greyhound racing options in the Illawarra area, further north at Bulli and to the south at Nowra. Greyhound NSW insists racing is a thriving sport in the state, with 26 clubs. It holds more than 1200 meetings a year, hosting 14,000 races, attracting almost 170,000 spectators and paying out more than $50 million in prize money. It also generates more than $800 million every year, supporting more than 4500 jobs of which almost half are in regional areas. The organisation is currently completing an optimisation process, as there are currently too many racecourses in NSW. Compared to 13 in Victoria, there are 27 in NSW. It's also difficult for clubs to maintain a profit if they are only racing once a week, Mr Griffin says. "We want to connect, excite and delight the community," he explains. "That could mean changing what the product looks like, racing on astroturf and straight tracks, with safety for greyhounds the imperative. "We need to get even better at welfare and reducing injury rates and we need to place the greyhounds in good homes when they become pets." The industry is preparing to celebrate its 100th birthday in 2027. As for the next 100 years, appealing to the next generation will be key to its survival. There are between 200 and 300 trainers under the age of 25, Mr Griffin says. "We are cognisant of the fact the industry has a very aged demographic and we need to have a future of people in the sport," he adds. "It's not an easy life to be a trainer and it's not attractive for a lot of people. "But there are those looking to come into the sport and we need to support them."
ABC News
24-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Dapto Dogs to stop running after nearly 90 years as showground owners end lease
It is the end of an era for the iconic Dapto Dogs as the local show society prepares to wrap up racing at the venue by the end of June next year. Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) chief executive officer Steve Griffin said it was an unfortunate decision. "Very sad for the industry and for us. We are a little bit shocked and surprised. We had hoped that we were going to get a 20-year extension but the society has decided to go in another direction." GRNSW had been in negotiations Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society for some time over rent and facility upgrades, including relocating the kennel block to the western part of the precinct. Mr Griffin had visited the site just last week to inspect the proposed areas. The news was shared with GRNSW on Friday night. Racing started at the track on February 25, 1937. Mr Griffin said people will be "grieving for the loss of the icon from the sport". "Obviously there will be some people who will be hurting because this has been their home track for their lifetime and probably their forbearers before them. Close to 100 trainers trial their dogs at the track each week. Two full time and four part time staff will be offered opportunities at the Bulli and Nowra tracks. GRNSW has a parcel of land at nearby Bong Bong Road and will continue to explore opportunities — but it would involve significant work to determine if it would be suitable for a straight track. Shellharbour state MP Anna Watson said the decision was sad but she is glad it was not acrimonious. "It is a big parcel of land. It is community. It presents a great opportunity to see what comes from the Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society in the future," she said. Ms Watson said she looked forward to seeing how GRNSW progressed the Bong Bong Road site. The Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society has been contacted for comment.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Anika Therapeutics Inc (ANIK) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Growth and Challenges
Q4 Revenue: $30.6 million, up 1% year-over-year. Full Year Revenue: $119.9 million, a decrease of 1% compared to 2023. Commercial Channel Revenue: Up 25% in Q4 and 17% for the full year. OEM Channel Revenue: Decreased by 8% for both Q4 and the full year. International OA Pain Management Growth: 22% in Q4 and 16% for the full year. Integrity Sales Growth: More than 40% sequential growth in Q4. Gross Margin: 56% in Q4, down 13 points from the previous year. Adjusted Gross Margin: 58% in Q4, down 11 points year-over-year. Operating Expenses: $17.8 million in Q4, down 7% year-over-year. Adjusted EBITDA: $3.6 million in Q4, down 44% year-over-year. Cash and Liquidity: $56 million in cash and no debt at the end of Q4. Full Year Adjusted EBITDA: $15.5 million from continuing operations. 2025 Revenue Outlook: Commercial channel expected to grow 12% to 18%. 2025 OEM Channel Revenue Outlook: Expected decline of 12% to 18%. 2025 Adjusted EBITDA Margin Outlook: Between 8% and 10%. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Signs with ANIK. Release Date: March 12, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Anika Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:ANIK) reported a 25% increase in commercial channel revenue for the fourth quarter and a 17% increase for the full year, driven by strong international OA pain management growth. The company achieved more than 40% sequential growth in its Integrity product for the third consecutive quarter, with over 1,000 surgeries performed globally since its launch. Anika Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:ANIK) successfully divested Arthrosurface and Parcus Medical, allowing the company to focus on its core HA products and streamline operations. The company received MDR approval for Hyalofast and filed the second PMA module, with plans for a US launch by 2026, indicating significant regulatory progress. Anika Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:ANIK) completed a $15 million initial share repurchase plan ahead of schedule, demonstrating strong cash management and commitment to shareholder value. Overall revenue for the year decreased by 1% compared to 2023, with OEM channel revenue declining by 8% due to lower US sales from J&J and competitive pricing pressures. Fourth quarter gross margin decreased by 13 points to 56%, with adjusted gross margin down 11 points due to one-time legacy program expenses and product mix. Operating expenses for the fourth quarter totaled $17.8 million, with research and development expenses increasing by 18% due to one-time FDA filing fees. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations decreased by 44% compared to 2023, primarily due to one-time legacy program expenses and higher research and development costs. The company anticipates a challenging year for its OEM channel in 2025, with expected revenue declines of 12% to 18% due to pricing pressures from J&J. Q: What were the one-time legacy program expenses mentioned during the call? A: Steve Griffin, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer, explained that these expenses were related to legacy product lines that Anika will no longer carry. They amounted to between $1 million and $2 million and are not expected to continue in the future. Q: With the divestitures, is the current SG&A level a good proxy for 2025? A: Steve Griffin confirmed that the SG&A level of around $11 million to $12 million is a good approximation for 2025. This reflects Anika's focus on hyaluronic acid and efforts to remain lean. Q: Can you provide details on the R&D charges for Hyalofast? A: Steve Griffin stated that the Hyalofast filing fee was about $600,000 for the first module submitted in October. This is a one-time fee, and R&D expenses are expected to trend higher in 2025 due to ongoing work on Hyalofast and other projects. Q: What is the expected R&D expense for Cingal in 2025? A: Steve Griffin mentioned that costs associated with the toxicity study for Cingal have been included in the budget. The company is awaiting FDA feedback on bioequivalence testing, which will determine any additional R&D expenses. Q: How is the uptake of Integrity among surgeons progressing? A: Cheryl Blanchard, President and CEO, noted that Integrity's uptake is driven by a broad set of surgeons, not just a handful. The product is generating significant interest due to its ability to address unmet needs, as evidenced by strong attendance at a recent presentation at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons meeting. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
