The Guineas originally called the One Thousand Guineas was a greyhound racing competition held annually. It was inaugurated in 1939 at Park Royal Stadium over 400 yards. Following the closure of Park Royal in 1969 the race switched to Hendon Greyhound Stadium, however there were only three editions at Hendon because the stadium also closed in 1972. In 1973 Hackney Wick Stadium hosted the event, initially over a sprint distance. Hackney introduced the Lead sponsored by William Hill in 1975; at the same time they switched the 1,000 Guineas to a longer distance of 484 metres.