About Us

Dr Karen Caldwell BVSc (Hons I) LLB, Executive General Manager Veterinary Services and Animal Welfare, Racing Queensland

After completing her veterinary training at the University of Queensland in 1999, Karen spent more than a decade in clinical veterinary practice in Australia and the UK, before taking up a role as a regulatory veterinarian for the thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing codes in Queensland in 2011.

Before joining Racing Queensland in 2022, Karen held roles as Manager of Veterinary Services at the Racing Science Centre, and Principal Veterinary Officer at the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission. Karen has broad-based expertise in racing regulation and racing animal welfare, having worked as an equine raceday veterinarian, Greyhound Adoption Program veterinarian, in the development of strategy, policy and rules, as well as representing Queensland on the national veterinary and welfare committees of Racing Australia, Harness Racing Australia and Greyhounds Australasia.

Karen was the primary veterinary advisor to racing stewards and legal counsel engaged in the prosecution of anti-doping matters in Queensland for a number of years, which led to her completing a law degree part-time, graduating in 2018. Karen has presented on anti-doping topics at conferences nationally and internationally, and lectures veterinary students at the University of Queensland on racing integrity and medication control.

An experienced manager in both the public and private sector, Karen has worked in governance roles in both racing and agriculture, and has experience in quality assurance and the development of industry standards.

Karen is passionate about animal welfare and its role in ensuring the sustainability of the racing industry.

Mr Basil Nolan Snr, President, Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association

Basil Nolan Snr has been both a member and President of numerous racing and breeding boards during his life-long career in the Queensland racing industry. He has served on the Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association since 1969, only five years after joining his parents in the operation of their stud, Raheen, which they established at Warwick in 1957. It is one of Queensland’s oldest and most respected Thoroughbred studs and is a true ‘family business’.

Basil was President of the TBQA 1980-1991 and returned to that role in 2010. He has served on the board of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia since 2005 and was appointed President in 2014. Basil was one of the founding members of the Queensland Principal Club (QPC) and served on that board for three years from its inception. He was also a delegate to the Australian Bloodhorse Breeders for 13 years.

Mr Daren Garrard, President, BOTRA Queensland

From his early years, Daren Garrard has been passionate about horses and everything Harness Racing.

He has had a long and proud association with the sport. Daren currently trains, owns and breeds Standardbreds.

Daren is Director of Garrard’s Horse and Hound – a business that proudly sponsors Harness Racing and supports the industry and its participants.

He has dedicated his life to the sport, and his support and knowledge of Harness Racing will help ensure its success well into the future.

Dr Mandy Paterson BVSc (Honours), PhD, MEd, Principal Scientist, RSPCA Queensland

Mandy has held the position of Principal Scientist, RSPCA Qld, for 12 years. She has a keen interest in animal welfare, policy development, exhibited animals, shelter animal management, wildlife and many other areas within the RSPCA. She represents the RSPCA on government committees including kangaroo management, injured koala care and Fraser Island dingoes, just to name a few.

Mandy is also involved in research in collaboration with the University of Queensland (UQ) and Sunshine Coast University, and teaches veterinary science students. She holds the position of Adjunct Senior Fellow at the UQ Veterinary School. Mandy serves on the board of ANZCCART and the QOTT, and is a Deputy Editor-in-Chief for the journal Animals.

Mr Briston Toft, Chief Executive Officer, Equestrian Queensland

Briston Toft is an experienced executive and non-executive director who has worked across government, sport and not-for-profit sectors.

With strong connections within the horse sport industry, Briston brings to the Queensland Off-The-Track Board a diverse range of skills and a depth of knowledge gained from a professional career spanning more than 15 years.

Briston is the Chief Executive Officer of Equestrian Queensland, the current Chair of the Queensland Horse Industry Alliance and is also involved in number of Queensland Government industry working groups including Horse Biosecurity Market Access Liaison Group, which is coordinated by Biosecurity Queensland. 

Mrs Linda Huddy, Director, Queensland Thoroughbred Owners Association (QTOA) 

​Born in Adelaide, Linda worked for some of the biggest names in racing in her younger years including Bart Cummings at Morphettville and Colin Hayes at Lindsay Park as stablehand/trackwork rider.

Linda and her husband Graham ran a successful earthmoving business for many years before purchasing Peachester Lodge in 2009.

They have raced many horses over the years including the likes of Shoot Out, Most Important, Pretty Brazen, I’m A Princess and Silvera.