Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association

• Need to complete a WAYBILL outlining what mares/foals are travelling, where they are going to, your PIC number, name and phone number of person in charge of transport. This needs to travel with the truck. • Need to complete a CATTLE TICK RECORD OF MOVEMENT on the DPI website within 48 hours of departure. The link to this is: https://app-cattletick.bfs.dpi.nsw.gov.au/login • Please note that to complete this ROM (Record Of Movement) you will also need to attach: * A seasonal letter from the Hunter Valley farm that your mare will visit confirming that the mares walking on to “stud name” from “your farm” will be staying in an area which does not contain pasture and/or will not be grazed by primary cattle tick carriers (cattle, Bison, buffalo or deer) at any time in the next 12 months. You will need a contact name/number and email for the stud that you are visiting. This letter can be dated in July or August of the year you are travelling and be used all season. * A seasonal letter from your farm declaring that ”the horses on this property have not had any contact with cattle for the last 12 months nor will they have any contact in the foreseeable future.” Again, this can be drafted in July or August and used as a duplication for each trip. * Your PIC number and the PIC number for the farm that you are visiting. * Registration number of transport and name of person in charge of transport. • Self Certification – ideally you should have someone on the farm who has completed the Cattle Tick Training and Education Module with the DPI. They then receive a certificate number which they need to complete every three years. If you are certified you quote your number on the Record of Movement Form. It is a lot easier and faster to complete the form if you are certified. If you are not self certified you need to get your horse/s inspected as outlined below: Clean manual inspection and treatment by accredited certifier or registered veterinarian. A biosecurity certificate or veterinarian certificate to authorise movement. The horse/s are moved within 48 hours of the inspection and treatment. All of this will be needed to complete the Record Of Movement. You can continue entering your details or save this form and return later. You will be unable to submit the form until you have received the biosecurity certificate that is required to be uploaded as an attachment at the end of the form. This form must be submitted no later than 24 hours before importation.

The Thoroughbred Breeders Australia is very proud to release the 2026 Aushorse Investor’s Guide. Each year, this publication offers a snapshot of the strength, momentum and global appeal of Australian racing and breeding, and the story it tells in 2026 is exceptional. With record prizemoney, outstanding opportunities for owners at every level, and world-class racehorses succeeding on the international stage, Australia continues to outperform every major jurisdiction. Whether you are a long-standing owner or considering your first step into the industry, the fundamentals have never been stronger. Australia now hosts more million-dollar races than anywhere else in the world, our yearling market consistently delivers value and returns, and Australian-bred horses are achieving results that highlight the quality of our breeding and training systems. This guide brings those facts together in one place. We hope you enjoy exploring what makes Australia such a compelling destination for racing and bloodstock investment, and we look forward to assisting you in any way we can.

Basil and Di Nolan and the TBQA Committee would like to extend condolences to the family of the late Mr Trevor Alexander. Trevor passed away peacefully on 23 October, 2025 aged 86. Trevor leaves behind his wife, Rhonda, his three children, ten grand-children and one great-great-grandchild. Trevor was a highly respected thoroughbred breeder based in Chinchilla and worked with many notable horses and trainers during his life.

Many of you will have seen recent reporting and commentary regarding the Pattern and the application of black-type guidelines in Australia. TBA recognises the gravity of the current situation for breeders, and we want to reassure you that we are actively engaged with the organisations currently charged with administering the system. Over recent weeks, we have been in regular discussions with the key players involved, emphasising the importance of a clear and well-functioning national Pattern for the benefit of Australian breeders and the wider industry. The current uncertainty highlights the need for clear processes, transparent communication, strong governance and oversight arrangements that give all stakeholders confidence that decisions are being made in the long-term interests of the industry. This includes ensuring the Pattern operates in a way that is consistent with the internationally recognised guidelines overseen by the Asian Pattern Committee (APC), while still allowing for the nuance needed to reflect the unique characteristics of Australia’s highly regarded and idiosyncratic racing and breeding landscape, including races of historic, traditional or cultural importance. TBA also believes there is merit in exploring an independent, industry-wide structure to support this work and help ensure the Pattern is managed in a way that reflects the long-term interests of all participants. TBA’s focus is on helping the industry move towards a practical and constructive resolution as quickly as possible. Breeders, owners, sales companies and international buyers all rely on a system that is transparent, credible and free from unnecessary disruption, and which supports long-term confidence and investment across the industry. We will continue to encourage the cooperation needed to achieve that. We will keep members and state breeding associations updated as this work progresses.

The variety of disciplines on offer in English riding has long provided a suitable pathway for racehorses to transition into their post-racing lives. But it is Western riding that is proving to be a new popular avenue for both thoroughbreds and standardbreds enjoying their off-the-track careers. The growing popularity of Western riding was no more evident than at the recent Cowgirls Gathering event in early October. Having started in 2021, the annual event is held at Kilkivan, west of Gympie, and features classes, clinics, competitions and interactive demonstrations with educators, along with live music and entertainment every night. Cowgirls Gathering Sponsorship Manager Vera Gentner said around 600 people had attended the three-day event over the King’s Birthday long weekend this year. “It’s basically a gathering and celebration of the Aussie cowgirl, and women who like the Western style of riding coming together in a safe space,” Gentner said. “There are so many different things to do, and you don't even have to take a horse, it can be with or without a horse. “Some of the top clinicians from around the country come and do the clinics and the demos and competitions, and it’s just a fabulous atmosphere and a lot of fun.” One event specifically tailored to showcase the potential of off-the-track horses is the popular Race to Ranch competition. The event includes groundwork, trail tasks, ranch-style obstacles, and low-pressure ridden activities, each designed to suit horses at different stages of their re-education journey. It was Sandra Hagan and former galloper Ghabbie who took out this year’s top prize, which included $500 from the Queensland Off-The-Track (QOTT) Program. QOTT Acknowledged Retrainer Alexandra Kelly finished second in the event with Flying Tyrol, while Hagan rounded out the placings with another off-the-track horse in ProGirl. Gentner said the Race to Ranch had been the perfect platform for retired racehorses to show off their new skills. “The participants only get a limited amount of time to show off that they can retrain a retired racehorse for a completely different discipline,” Gentner said. “There are a couple of different events in the Race to Ranch competition where they get to showcase their versatility, and it’s always a fun one to watch. “There's a bit of a freestyle one, a bit of dry work, a bit of mechanical cow, and a bit of an obstacle course called the ranch trail, so it’s awesome to see them getting a new lease on life and showcasing what they can actually do. “I always had that vision in my head of the off-the-tracks being hot and naughty and hard to handle, but they're just cool as cucumbers.” Event organisers are hopeful for a boost in the number of standardbreds entering the 2026 Cowgirls Gathering. The rise in popularity of Western riding, especially through recent TV series like Yellowstone, has seen a rise in participants keen to give the discipline a try. “I'm a Western rider but my daughter years ago used to be in Pony Club and English riding like showjumping and eventing and dressage,” Gentner said. “You saw plenty of retired racehorses there, and that was fantastic, but they're really starting to gain more popularity in the Western world. “I think events like Cowgirls Gathering make people's ears prick up and go ‘Oh wow, I never thought of that for an off-the-track horse,’ and that they’d actually like to give it a go. “So it makes people kind of stand up and take notice, and that's why that event is so popular. “I’ve got quarter horses and they’re obviously a popular breed for the Western shows and in all honesty, I would 100% be considering an off-the-track horse now, just because I've seen with my own eyes how versatile they are through Pony Club and through the western riding that I do.” Gentner said the support from the QOTT Program had proven to be extremely valuable in attracting a new crop of talent. The QOTT Program provided $1000 for the event which was split across the top four finishers in the Race to Ranch event. “It was decent prizemoney which we awarded to the first four place-getters,” Gentner said. “I think it just encourages people to nominate - the shows that I go to, if there is prizemoney involved it might be $25 and it does cost us to keep our horses. “So I think the prizemoney is definitely worthwhile and to have that support from Racing Queensland was just awesome.” Click here to read more about the QOTT Event Sponsorship Program.