QGBOTA

Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic GamesThe Honourable Tim Mander

BETTER SERVICES THROUGH A STRONGER ECONOMYQueensland racing delivers $2.5 billion economic boost

Queensland racing generated more than $2.5 billion in value added contribution to the State’s economy in 2024–25.The industry supports almost 14,000 full-time jobs and involves 48,682 participants statewide.Racing’s economic contribution has more than doubled since 2015–16.The Crisafulli Government is delivering for the State’s racing industry, after a decade of decline under Labor.  New independent data has shown Queensland’s racing industry generated more than $2.5 billion in value added contribution to the State’s economy in 2024-25, as the Crisafulli Government continues delivering for the racing industry. The latest Size and Scope Report found the industry’s contribution increased by almost $50 million compared with 2023-24. Since 2015-16, racing’s total value-added contribution has grown by 104 per cent, while full-time employment has risen by 47 per cent – from 9,546 to 13,994 jobs. More than 750,000 patrons attended Queensland race meetings in 2024-25, with approximately 75 per cent of attendances recorded at racecourses outside Brisbane. The report found 48,682 people are involved in Queensland racing, including employees, trainers, breeders, owners, jockeys, drivers, stable hands and volunteers.  The thoroughbred code contributed $1.93 billion, up 2 per cent from 2023–24, while greyhound racing contributed $348.4 million, an increase of 6 per cent. Harness racing contributed $222.9 million.  During Labor’s decade of decline, Queensland racing was left without a clear roadmap for the future. In stark contrast, the Crisafulli Government has a plan and is delivering through The Next Lap: A plan for the future of Queensland racing.  It’s just one way the Crisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy, righta cross the State. Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander reaffirmed the racing industry’s importance to the state from both an economic and employment standpoint.  “Racing Queensland’s FY25 Size and Scope Report once again shines a light on the sheer size and strength of our racing industry across the State,” Minister Mander said. “Supporting 14,000 full-time jobs whilst contributing more than $2.5 billion in annual contribution to the State’s economy underpins the vital importance of the racing industry statewide and it’s why we’re implementing reforms from The Next Lap: A plan for the future of Queensland racing. “The Crisafulli Government remains incredibly proud and steadfast in its support for racing, hosting close to 280 races across 30 meetings a week, while supporting almost 50,000 participants from Goondiwindi to Cooktown and everywhere in between across the three codes.”  Racing Queensland Chair Matt McGrath said the latest economic data was a testament to the industry’s size and scale across the State.  “Throughout my short time in this position, I have been privileged to witness firsthand the impact this industry has on so many people in Queensland,” Mr McGrath said.  “This latest report highlights the importance of racing from both an economic and social perspective, especially in our regions where more than half of the industry’s economic contribution is realised.  “It speaks to the unbelievable work from those at the coalface of the sport, and their passion and commitment that directly contributes to the growth of racing across each of the three codes.   “There are always industry challenges, and our role is to ensure we build a sustainable model for the long term which will continue to maintain an ever-increasing contribution to the State of Queensland.”  Click here to see a full copy of the Size and Scope Report.  Click here to view a summary of the Size and Scope Report.

Released at 10.20am 22nd July 2026

Members of the QGBOTA have continually raised concerns for the current lure system on the QST.

• Failure to pursue charges
• Outside placement of the boxes causing rail transfer congestions towards rail
• Greyhounds losing sight of the current lure due to its small size
• Lure bounce rates altering the running gait of the greyhound
• Greyhounds not being able to follow the lure into the catching pen
• Placement of the catching pen gates after lure is withdrawn
• Lure not suitable for finish on or available for trial “drag” training

This is a short list of repetitive concerns with many more concerns raised to the QGBOTA.

The QGBOTA had a meeting with the QGRC CEO and RQ CEO and included these concerns several months ago. All parties agreed on several points and indicated that these issues would be addressed. After receiving no follow up or any indication of changes, The QGBOTA addressed these concerns again in writing. This is the responses we have received.

QRIC – 30June 2026. All lures are not a matter for QRIC and suggested we contact RQ.

RQ – 17 June 2026. RQ have discussed with the QGRC to trial different lures, tassels and squeakers. RQ suggest we follow up with QGRC.

QGRC – 22 June 2026. The QGRC is restricted on what type of lure modifications can be done due to the hideaway. A specially designed tassel “Sleeve” had been designed and tested in the early days of the QST last year but would not be able to pass through the hideaway slot without interference. the QGRC continue to explain that any other alterations require major restructure, concrete and steel to be moved and require the assistance of RQ.
The QGRC suggested we “touch base again in 2 months to update on progress”

The QGBOTA committee us unsure where to progress from here as we have continued to bring this to the attention of all agencies with a circular condition of responses and no clear direction or responsibility for action.

We will “touch base again in 2 months” with the QGRC.

The QGBOTA is please to present the following industry snapshot, with data obtained from an Administrative Access Release from the Right to Information under the Freedom of Information laws.

Queensland has a total number of 593 licenced trainers as at *12 June 2026.

Trainer Licence Numbers are listed for the following EOFY financial years. The 2026 numbers are as at the report printed on June 12th 2026(*)

Trainer Licences held

Total trainer licences per year

2026* – 593
2025 – 605
2024 – 672
2023 – 651

Comparative to a FOI request from 2017 showing the total trainer number was 661 for the 2016/2017 EOFY reporting date.

Breeder licences held for the same periods

Breeder 1 2026* – 251 2025 – 274 2024 – 274 2023 – 266

Breeder 2 2026* – 14 2025 – 12 2024 – 14 2023 – 14

Breeder 3 2026* – 20 2025 – 18 2024 – 18 2023 – 14

Breeder 4 2026* – 54 2025 – 51 2024 – 54 2023 – 54

Number of Greyhounds per licence

as at 12 June 2026

181 licensees have 0 greyhounds in their care. This can be attributed to; More than one licenced trainer on the same premises, Requirement to lawfully “train” greyhounds in absence of partner at track/trial, All greyhounds in one name due to the “guarding” grading procedure rule, Currently between litter’s/training or taking a break from the industry, Council limitation on numbers and awaiting retirement rehoming, No ability to downgrade to the Attendance licence, easier to renew trainer licence, Exiting from the industry awaiting 3 year expiry to lapse, Other	T1 = 25 T2 = 72 T3 = 84
229 licensees have between 1 and 5 greyhounds in their care.	T1 = 42 T2 = 106 T3 = 81
80 licensees have between 6 and 10 greyhounds in their care.	T1 = 29 T2 = 36 T3 = 15
57 licensees have between 11 and 20 greyhounds in their care	T1 = 29 T2 = 20 T3 = 8
21 licensees have between 21 and 30 greyhounds in their care	T1 = 7 T2 = 7 T3 = 7
25 licensees have over 30 greyhounds in their care	T1 = 16 T2 = 6 T3 = 3

T1 – Permitted to train any Greyhound – No Greyhound number limit
T2 – Permitted to trainer not more than prescribed by the commission (10)
T3 – Permitted to train owned by licencee or immediate family, includes part ownership – No Greyhound number limit.

Reference QRIC Licensing Standards page 14 and 15

Breeding Statistics – Pups Whelped

All stats as at 30 June per year

Future Breeding projections

The QGBOTA believes that breeding statistics are vital and have a direct relation to gauge the confidence of participants in the queensland industry. We believe this is a good indicator to a general commitment of a three to four year future plan for individual decisions to continue or withdraw from the industry.

The Next Lap – The Racing Review recommends that the Second win breeding incentive be cancelled. Mary Collier gave the QGBOTA an indication that this will be implemented during a meeting on Jan 18th 2026 as breeder bonus/incentives are not part of prizemoney allocations.