The state’s showcase QTIS meeting, the $2 million Queensland Jewel Raceday, is set to be run and won at Doomben next month.
Staged on March 18, the Jewel meeting will be hosted at the Brisbane Racing Club for the first time this year and will once again be headlined by the $500,000 2YO QTIS Jewel and 3YO QTIS Jewel.
The two major features will be accompanied by a $10,000 breeders' bonus to the winner, with the remaining races – including the Gold Jewel, the Gold Coast Plate and the Military Rose Plate – with double prize money incentives on selected events across the meeting if the winner is QTIS-registered.
Traditionally run at Aquis Park in conjunction with the March Gold Coast Yearling Sale, the Queensland Jewel Raceday will be staged in Brisbane this year while the $63 million redevelopment of the Gold Coast Turf Club is completed.
As one of the highlights on the Queensland racing calendar, RQ CEO Brendan Parnell said the Jewel was the perfect way to showcase the Queensland Thoroughbred Incentive Scheme, which is regarded as the nation’s most innovative breeding program.
“There has never been a better time to buy, breed and race in the Sunshine State,” Mr Parnell said.
"The $2 million Queensland Jewel Raceday has well and truly solidified its position as a flagship event on the Queensland racing calendar, and provides both breeders and buyers alike with ongoing opportunities to re-invest in the Queensland racing industry.
“We look forward to seeing the Jewel makes its way north to Doomben this year, and working with the Brisbane Racing Club to deliver an unforgettable chapter of this important raceday.”
A number of the Sunshine State’s premier thoroughbreds have announced themselves on this day in previous years, including Boomsara, Kisukano and The Odyssey who remains the only horse to win both the 2YO and 3YO Jewel races.
In 2022, former Group 1 champion turned star stallion Spirit Of Boom captured the headlines by siring the winners of both feature races, thanks to She’sgottheboom (2YO) and Prince Of Boom (3YO).
Brisbane Racing Club CEO Tony Partridge said the club looked forward to hosting the event on behalf of the entire industry.
“This is the Queensland industry’s raceday and we look forward to showcasing the best local breeders, trainers and jockeys at Doomben on March 18,” he said.
“This day is a celebration of Queensland racing and as such, we are offering free entry to all registered Queensland racehorse owners, in addition to Members’ Reserve entry to all members of South East Queensland race clubs.”
Following the Jewel, a number of the sport’s future stars will be on show as part of the 2023 Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.
Commencing on Monday, March 20, the two-day sale will take place at the famous Magic Millions Sales Complex, with close to 400 lots set to go under the hammer.
The 2022 sale saw more than $12.5 million grossed on 320 lots, sold at an average price of almost $40,000.
QTIS remains an integral part of the Queensland racing industry, with a number of local stallions, including Spirit Of Boom and Better Than Ready, ensuring the scheme remains one of the most enticing in the country.
More recently, Queensland Champion First Season Stallion, The Mission, has burst on to the scene, headlined by his King of the Mountain-winning son Yellow Brick, who went on to run a desperately unlucky second in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.
Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association President Basil Nolan said both the Queensland Jewel Raceday and March Yearling Sale continue to showcase the strength and sustainability in the Queensland racing industry at present.
“The Queensland Jewel is a key raceday that showcases the wide-ranging importance of QTIS,” Mr Nolan said.
“To provide Queensland-bred two and three-year-olds the opportunity to take centre stage and race for half a million dollars - on top of the double prize money on offer for QTIS-registered horses - cannot be understated.
“We have seen record-breaking sales figures again in 2023 and there is no doubt in my mind that QTIS has played a significant role in that, further incentivised by initiatives like the fillies’ bonus which sees them race for additional metropolitan prize money.”
Click here for more information on the Queensland Jewel Raceday.