Animal Welfare

The Queensland racing industry takes its collective responsibility to place the welfare of its animals at the heart of all it does. From owners, to trainers, stablehands, kennel attendants, drivers and jockeys, all within Queensland racing share a common bond – the love of our animals.

Racing Queensland is committed to the care and welfare of racing animals and work closely with the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission and racing clubs to ensure that the health, safety and wellbeing of racing animals is maintained to the highest standard.

Racing Queensland optimises welfare outcomes through the formulation and implementation of rules, policies and participation in various welfare initiatives and committees at a state and national level.

While Racing Queensland is responsible for guiding the development of rules and policies in relation to racing animal welfare, the implementation and enforcement of these rules and policies is the responsibility of a separate entity – the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC). The QRIC is an independent statutory body which oversees the integrity and welfare standards of racing animals and racing industry participants in Queensland. Find out more about the QRIC via their website here.

In addition to safeguarding the health, safety and wellbeing of registered racing animals while participating in breeding, training or racing activities in Queensland, the Queensland Off-The-Track Program (QOTT Program) and the Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) are two examples of the Queensland racing industry’s commitment to ensuring the best levels of care are provided to racing animals at all stages of their lives, by supporting their transition from the racetrack to retirement.