Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association

The next Thoroughbred Breeding Size & Scope Report, covering the 2025/26 financial year, is now underway, with Independent Economics and Research (IER) once again commissioned to undertake the study. We encourage all breeders who are contacted to take part. We appreciate everyone is busy, but these reports are extremely important in demonstrating the value of our industry and the contribution we make to the Australian economy, particularly in regional communities. The information is used when making representations to Government, advocating for industry support and developing policies and programs that affect our future. We need accurate figures and evidence to ensure our industry has a strong voice when decisions are being made.  So, if you are contacted by IER, please take the time to participate. Every response helps build a clearer picture of our industry and strengthens our ability to represent breeders.

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Del Fitton OAM, who passed away on 16 October, aged 94, at Brodribb Home. Del was a much-loved member of the Toowoomba community and someone who gave an extraordinary amount of her time, energy and generosity to the equine industry and many worthy charitable causes. She will be remembered as a remarkable lady who made a lasting difference to so many people. Del founded the Fitton Charity Raceday in 1988, beginning what would become a wonderful legacy of fundraising and community support. Alongside her son Ron, she also played a significant role in the Darling Downs Equine Extravaganza, raising substantial funds for QIMR and cancer research. The initiative was particularly close to her heart, having been inspired by her own family's experience with cancer. Her commitment to helping others was recognised with an Order of Australia Medal in 2011, as well as the QIMR Humanitarian Award. She also served as Chairwoman of the Queensland Equine Hall of Fame, reflecting her genuine passion for horses and the people involved in our industry. People like Del don't come along every day. She understood the importance of giving back and used her position, connections and love of the equine industry to make a real difference in the lives of others. On behalf of the Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association, we extend our sincere condolences to Ron, her family and all those who were fortunate enough to know her. Del leaves behind a wonderful legacy of generosity, compassion and community spirit. She will be sadly missed and remembered with great affection and respect.

Do you have a 2025 foal that may be eligible for QTIS Breedback registration? Owners are reminded that foals by a non-Queensland-based stallion may qualify for QTIS Eligibility B (Breedback) , provided the mare was covered by a Queensland-domiciled stallion in the year the foal was born. Breedback nominations must be completed in accordance with the usual Australian Stud Book requirements, with nomination forms and payments submitted to Racing Queensland. There are several payment options available, and it is important to remember that a First Payment is required to qualify for applicable QTIS Breeders Bonus Payments. We encourage all owners to check their foals' eligibility and ensure the necessary paperwork and payments are completed within the required timeframes. For full eligibility requirements, payment options, deadlines and nomination information, visit our QTIS information page or contact RQ.

The Queensland Summer Racing Carnival is set to shine again in 2026/27, with all roads leading to the Gold Coast. The glitz and glamour of the Magic Millions will once again headline the Summer Carnival, with this year's carnival featuring 23 black-type races and over $28 million in prizemoney and bonuses in total over nine thrilling weeks of racing. In the lead up to the TAB Magic Millions Raceday, the twilight Magic Millions Gold Raceday on January 9 will feature the third running of the $2.5 million TAB Magic Millions Sunlight 3YO slot race, which has now been granted black-type status and will be run as a Listed race in 2027. The $1 million Racing Queensland Magic Millions QTIS race will also retain its spot on the Summer Carnival’s penultimate meeting, resulting in over $6 million prizemoney for the card. The TAB Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday on January 16 will again serve as the Summer Carnival’s crowning jewel, headlined by the $3 million TAB Magic Millions 2YO Classic and $3 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas. Minister for Racing Tim Mander said the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival is instrumental in the success of racing in Queensland. “The Crisafulli Government is committed to the long-term viability of Queensland racing, and a first-class event like the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival showcases the strength of racing in our state,” Minister Mander said. “The carnival is once more headlined by the iconic Magic Millions on the Gold Coast, which continues to grow in popularity, providing a major economic boost for the region each year. "We want Queensland to be the major events capital of Australia, and our Summer Carnival will continue to play a huge role in making sure that racing in Queensland contributes to our status as the home of tourism and events." The Mooloolaba Cup at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club on November 21 takes its place as the traditional Summer Carnival opening, with a new set-weights sprint over 1000m named the General Nediym to kick-off the two-year-old pathway to the Magic Millions. The race has been named in honour of the multiple Group 1-winning gelding who took out the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in 1997. Seven days later, the Tattersall's Listed Recognition Stakes and Tattersall’s Classic take centre stage at Doomben – kicking off six weeks of racing at the Brisbane Racing Club. The Group 3 George Moore Stakes will feature some of the state’s top sprinters on December 5, alongside the Listed Phelan Ready for two-year-olds to continue their Magic Millions path. The day will also host the finals for both the Country Cups Challenge and Country Stampede, which continues to give the state’s regional participants the opportunity to compete on a metropolitan raceday for more than $300,000 in prizemoney. On December 12, the Gateway will be open to four-year-olds, with a berth in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap on offer in 2027. Winning connections of The Gateway will have the option to run their own horse or negotiate to designate their slot to one of the horses nominated, and in the top 40 order of entry, for next year’s time-honoured Stradbroke Handicap. “The Queensland Summer Racing Carnival is one of this state’s great showcases, bringing together world-class racing, vibrant crowds and the unmistakable energy of summer in the Sunshine State,” RQ Acting CEO Lachlan Murray said. “Similar to what we see in the winter, our Summer Carnival has forged a strong reputation of unearthing the next stars of Australian racing – headlined by Yellow Brick’s sublime win in the Magic Millions QTIS before going on to taste success in the Group 3 W.J. Healy Stakes and the $1 million The Archer. “We look forward to welcoming breeders, owners, trainers, syndicators, jockeys and participants from across the country to Queensland for what will be another outstanding Summer Carnival.” The three-year-old staying programme has become a mainstay of the Summer Carnival, with Group 1 champions in recent years including Kovalica and Gypsy Goddess having emerged through the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes – to be held on December 19. The $300,000 event is positioned three weeks from the TAB Magic Millions The Wave over the same distance on January 9, which is once again open to all Magic Millions Race Series nominated horses aged three and up. The Group 3 Vo Rogue Stakes returns to Eagle Farm to ring in the New Year on January 2, the same day as the newly named Better Than Ready 2YO 1200m handicap which will carry $150,000 in prizemoney - an increase of $45,000. Synonymous for his success as a sire of two-year-olds, the race has been named after Better Than Ready as a testament to his longevity as one of Queensland’s greatest recent breeding success stories. On the Gold Coast, racing under lights will be showcased as part of the Summer Carnival on December 18, which will host a $200,000 edition of Magic Millions The Debut, open to unraced 2YO colts, geldings and fillies. The Summer Carnival will then return in January for the two marquee Magic Millions racedays and $18.8 million in prizemoney and Racing Women’s Bonuses, coinciding with the 2027 Gold Coast Yearling Sale from January 12-17, 2027. “We are excited to invite the thoroughbred world to the Gold Coast this January to experience the magic combination of the most innovative and rewarding race series, alongside the Southern Hemisphere’s largest yearling sale,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said. “The Queensland Summer Racing Carnival comprises a complementary program of features for all ages and distances, and importantly fosters broad participation and opportunities for returns to participants across all levels. “We want this carnival to be accessible to everyone.” Click here to see the full programme for the 2026/27 Queensland Summer Racing Carnival.

Racing Australia has today announced a time-limited, one-off window for eligible owners to resolve Late Foal Ownership Declaration (FOD) issues and have affected horses’ embargoes lifted. The process, which has a strict series of deadlines, requires owners to first lodge any outstanding Foal Ownership Declaration, then lodge a Late FOD Appeal. If that appeal is denied, the owner will have 30 days to elect to pay a $2,500 fee, after which the AR 287 embargo can be lifted. What you need to do If you have an outstanding Foal Ownership Declaration for a foal born in the 2025 season or earlier: Foal Ownership Declaration: must be lodged by 5.30pm AEST, Friday 9 October 2026 Late FOD Appeal: must be lodged by 5.30pm AEST, Friday 13 November 2026 If an appeal is denied, the owner will then have 30 days to elect to pay the $2,500 fee to have the embargo lifted. Racing Australia has advised that owners whose appeals have already been denied will be contacted directly about the 30-day payment option. YOU MAY HAVE AN OUTSTANDING FOD WITHOUT REALISING IT Racing Australia advises there are currently 102 outstanding Late Foal Ownership Declarations, including declarations relating to horses born in earlier seasons. TBA is also concerned there may be breeders and managing owners who do not yet realise they have missed a Foal Ownership Declaration deadline, and therefore may be unaware that their horse could be facing an embargo. Please do not assume your records are complete. Please do not assume everything is up to date. Check each foal, confirm who is responsible for lodging the declaration, and make sure it has been completed within the required timeframe. Importantly, this also applies to the current foal crop. All Foal Ownership Declaration must be lodged within 30 days of birth. YOUR FOAL. YOUR DECLARATION. YOUR DEADLINE. Need help with your Foal Ownership Declaration?  Contact the Australian Stud Book on (02) 8072 1900 or studbook@racingaustralia.horse.