Industry Notice: Expect continued strong integrity and welfare measures throughout Thoroughbred Winter Racing Carnival

Thursday 1 May, 2025

All eyes are on Queensland for the Thoroughbred Winter Racing Carnival, and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) will work with participants throughout the event to safeguard integrity, animal welfare and safety standards.

Participants can expect robust measures from QRIC to continue during the Winter Carnival including:

  • Pre-race veterinary examinations of runners in feature races.
  • Compliance Assurance Team and Stipendiary Steward presence, with in and out of competition stable inspections
  • Anywhere, anytime sample collection

Pre-race veterinary examinations will be conducted with all runners in all Group 1 races.

These will include:

  • Doomben 10,000 – Saturday 17 May
  • Doomben Cup – Saturday 24 May
  • Queensland Derby – Saturday 31 May
  • Queensland Oaks – Saturday 7 June
  • Stradbroke, The Q22 and J.J. Atkins – Saturday 14 June
  • Tattersall’s Tiara – Saturday 28 June

Magic Millions National 2YO Classic runners will also be required to undergo trot-up examinations, and all runners in the Battle of the Bush will be required to have a satisfactory veterinary certificate submitted before being cleared to race.

QRIC Chief Steward of Thoroughbreds, Josh Adams, said trot-ups and veterinary clearances for feature races has aided in reducing on-track injuries and incidents in the past.

“Pre-race vet checks are an opportunity for all horses in feature races to be examined and deemed suitable for racing prior to race day,” he said.

“This has been a successful practice at past Winter Carnivals, and QRIC stewards will contact participants associated with horses required for a vet check to arrange a convenient time and location for the trot-up.

“In the case of two-year-olds, it is often the first time we see young horses compete in major races, so it is important for us to ensure they are suitable to race.”

Participants should also expect a strong presence from QRIC’s Compliance Assurance Team stewards, who will conduct random and intelligence-led in and out of competition stable inspections and sample collection.

In line with all race meetings across Queensland, race winners will be required to provide a sample to QRIC’s Sample Collection Officers, but random and intelligence-led sample collection will also take place.

Mr Adams said all participants should be prepared to assist QRIC in collecting a sample from their racing animal upon request.

“We will undertake an anywhere, anytime approach to sample collection throughout the Winter Carnival, and we thank participants for their cooperation with our staff,” he said.

“You may be asked for a urine or hair sample to be taken from a horse you are attending by a Sample Collection Officer, or a QRIC veterinarian may approach you regarding the taking of a blood sample from the horse, which they will obtain with the assistance of a Sample Collection Officer.”

Misconduct throughout the Winter Carnival will be taken seriously, and QRIC reminds participants to report any information about the potential mistreatment of racing animals or wrongdoing in the sport.

 QRIC’s Report Something function is open to both participants and members of the public, who can report online at http://qric.qld.gov.au/report-something.

You can also report via email at reportsomething@qric.qld.gov.au or via phone on 1300 119 291.

All reports are taken seriously, and reporters are asked to provide their contact details in case investigators need to follow-up on a matter from their report.

 QRIC is here to ensure all participants fulfil their obligations under the Rules of Racing throughout the Winter Carnival and at all times.

If you have any questions about your race day obligations, please contact thoroughbredstewards@qric.qld.gov.au.