Kenneth and Janet Allen

Kenneth and Janet Allen bred, raised and raced outstanding greyhounds for more than 35 years while also contributing their leadership skills toward the betterment of the industry.

The couple married in 1976 and moved to Yuma, Ariz. where they attended the races at Yuma Greyhound Park. They received their first greyhound as payment for a debt owed and soon after joined the National Greyhound Association and purchased more greyhounds, including alitter of puppies sired by Pecos Cannon, a Rural Rube Award winner in 1974, that all became a Grade A racers.

Their inaugural booking was at Phoenix Greyhound Park, and the couple soon moved to Phoenix to manage their greyhound operation. They learned the business and raced greyhounds for other owners, including the talented racer Wigwam Wag owned by Wally Keeter. Several years later, they purchased and moved to a greyhound farm near Keota, Okla. Over the years they raced greyhounds in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Oregon and Texas, winning stake victories, setting track records, and garnering All America Team awards.

Their “San Tan” prefix became synonymous with quality racing greyhounds beginning in the 1990s and included such greats as San Tan Bomber, who produced three-time All-America EA’s Itzaboy, as well as San Tan Smash, San Tan Savage, San Tan Rampage, San Tan Bloomer, and San Tan Gem. Their female Steves Stones produced San Tan Gem, the mother of Trent Lee. The bloodlines they established continue through many of the great greyhounds of today.

Dedicated to the overall betterment of the sport, both served on the National Greyhound Association’s Board of Directors. Kenny was on the board from 1998 to 2006, serving for two years as president and also was vice president for three terms. Janet served on the board from 1985 to 1996, becoming the first woman to hold a board office when she was elected as vice president, a title she held for four terms.

Both served on the executive board of the American Greyhound Council. Janet also has been a board member of the Greyhound Hall of Fame for over 10 years and she and her husbandhave been instrumental in ensuring its ongoing operation. 

The Allens also supported greyhound legislation in Arizona, Oklahoma, Kansas and Wisconsin, and Janet testified before the United States Congress on behalf of the National Greyhound Association.

Janet received the National Greyhound Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award during the Spring Meet in 2019.