Agricultural
9 June, 2025
Downs dominates thoroughbred industry
New Queensland Government data shows the state’s racing industry now contributes close to $2.5 billion per annum to the State’s economy, including a large chunk for the Darling Downs.
The findings were according to independent data from research specialists IER.
Income from thorough-bred horse racing was by far the dominant contributor making up 77 per cent of the total economic value added ($1,892.3 million) with harness racing and greyhound racing minor contributors.
The report divided the state into regions with the Darling Downs and Maranoa combined as one region.
The report shows the important role the Downs and Maranoa districts play being dominant in most of the statistics covered.
The economic contribution of the Thoroughbred Industry measured as Real Gross Value to the Downs and Maranoa was a healthy $170.9 million with only Brisbane ($891.7m) and Gold Coast ($278m) greater.
Thoroughbred Breeding Industry
One area where the Downs and Maranoa was clearly dominant was in the breeding of thoroughbreds with the region having the highest number of breeders.
The Downs is home to some of the states biggest stud farms such as Eureka Stud at Cambooya, Rahine Stud at Goomburra, Clear Mountain Fairview at Greenmount and Lyndhurst Stud near Allora as well as hundreds of other small studs and hobby breeders.
In total there are 706 registered thoroughbred breeders in Qld.
Downs and Maranoa 176
Gold Coast 140
Brisbane 101
Wide Bay 50
Staff Employed by Breeders
Downs and Maranoa 151
Gold Coast 120
Central Qld 52
Brisbane 87
Number of Volunteers Assisting Breeders
Downs and Maranoa 141
Brisbane 81
Gold Coast 112
Thoroughbred Stallions
Queensland has 75 registered thoroughbred stallions with nearly half of those on the Darling Downs.
Eureka’s Spirit of Boom and Lyndhurst’s Better Than Ready are two of the state’s top stallions standing on the Darling Downs.
Downs and Maranoa 29
Gold Coast 12
Number of Broodmares covered by stallions in 2024
Once again the Downs was the most productive region.
Downs and Maranoa 1367
Gold Coast 662
Ipswich 368
Brisbane 21
Total Qld 2853
Number of Foals produced
Downs and Maranoa 795
Gold Coast 385
Ipswich 214
Total Qld 1658
Economic Contribution of Breeding Industry
(costs associated with breeding)
Downs & Maranoa $61.3m
Gold Coast $27.9 m
Ipswich $13.2
Total Qld $118.4
The Training Industry
Once again the Downs dominates in the thoroughbred training area which includes breaking, pre-race training and race training.
Number of Trainers
Downs and Maranoa 258
Gold Coast 186
Brisbane 97
Qld Total 1219
Volunteers Assisting Trainers
Downs and Maranoa 361
Gold Coast 260
Brisbane 68
Qld Total 1639
Number of Stable Employees
Downs and Maranoa 474
Gold Coast 465
Brisbane 412
Sunshine Coast 283
Qld Total 2746
Attendances at Race Meetings
Despite the high profile of Brisbane’s Doomben and Eagle Farm tracks, 73 per cent of race attendances are in regional areas.
Downs & Maranoa 81,081
Brisbane 138,670
Gold Coast 112,533
Given the good pastures and climate of the Darling Downs it is not surprising that much of the thoroughbred industry is focused on the Downs.
There are four TAB race clubs and twenty-two non TAB race clubs scattered around the Downs and Maranoa district.
Clifton has a non TAB track with one meeting held each year and historically is the town’s biggest social occasion.
Given the economic benefits to country towns of holding race meetings it would be nice to think the Clifton track might one day be better utilised.
To learn more, read the Racing Queensland 2023/24 Size and Scope Report.
