QTOA Chairman's Report: March 2025

Dear Members,

The Queensland Thoroughbred Owners Association (QTOA) has this week finalised our submission to the State Government’s Queensland Racing Review where we have addressed several critical issues impacting the sustainability and growth of the industry.

As a key stakeholder representing thoroughbred owners, the QTOA is committed to ensuring our voice is heard as part of the review and we encourage individuals to follow suit before the deadline of midnight, March 30.

It is well documented that thoroughbred racing contributes strongly to the economy of Queensland measured largely through direct and indirect employment, it also plays a significant role in the development and maintenance of important cohesive social networks, particularly in regional and country communities. 

There is a strong cultural history around racing in Australia and we believe that this has been largely ignored when considering growth opportunities for the industry. The marketing of the industry can be characterised as insular, missing the opportunity to integrate into the broader promotion of tourism, sport and entertainment.

It is important not just to protect the industry but to aggressively expand. We believe that linking thoroughbred racing events and carnivals, including country and regional racing, to broader tourism promotion has the potential to bring strong revenue growth. There are many examples of racing and breeding based tour organizations successfully operating around the globe bringing tourism dollars to the economy and awareness and investment to the racing industries.

It is imperative to be aware that Queensland racing competes with the other state racing jurisdictions when seeking to attract owners to race quality racehorses. Quality racing, defined to include the best horses, trainers and jockeys, attracts wagering dollars. The cost of ownership of a racehorse in Queensland is not materially different to the cost of ownership in other States, particularly NSW and Victoria, yet the prize money in those states is significantly higher. 

The result of this is that too many Queensland based owners stable and race their horses in the southern states, fuelling those economies rather than Queensland. The disparity compromises the viability of breeders, clubs and all those whose income and/or employment are industry dependent. This will be further exacerbated by any attempt to reduce prize money and increase cost levy on ownership.

Our submission to the review highlights four key areas that we believe demand attention:

• Marketing and Promotion of Racing – With wagering in decline, we believe the industry in Queensland as a whole must do more to reinvigorate public interest in racing. A more innovative and targeted marketing approach is needed to attract new audiences and strengthen engagement with owners and fans.

• Representation on the RQ Board – Thoroughbred racing generates the majority of industry revenue, yet this is not representative of the make-up of the board. We are calling for greater representation of thoroughbred stakeholders with ‘skin in the game’ to ensure policies reflect the needs of our industry.

• Rising Costs of Ownership – Spiralling insurance premiums and welfare levies are adding to the financial burden of ownership. We are pushing for more transparency and solutions to curb rising costs while maintaining high welfare standards.

• Regional Prizemoney – Country racing is vital to the industry, but prizemoney levels remain a concern. We are advocating for fairer distribution to support participation, field sizes, and the long-term sustainability of regional racing.

The future of Queensland racing depends on strong leadership and a commitment to owners, who invest heavily in the industry. QTOA will continue to fight to ensure owners have a seat at the table.

Individual owners wishing to provide their own submissions can do so using the following steps:

• Provide a written submission. Submissions can address any topic related to the racing industry. The questions posed in the discussion paper are only a guide to start the conversation.

  • Email your submission;

  • Mail your submission to:

    • Department of Sport, Racing, and Olympic and Paralympic Games PO Box 15478, City East QLD 4002; or

  • Complete an online submission.

Written submissions must be received by midnight Sunday, March 30 for this initial consultation. The online submission portal will also close at midnight, March 30.