Grants back happy retirements for racing animals

A $60,000 State Government investment in animal welfare will help rehome greyhounds and racing horses across the state.

Racing Minister Grace Grace today announced Racing Animal Welfare grants to 11 organisations from Far North Queensland to Brisbane’s southside.

“We want to see racing animals treated properly when they are racing and afterwards, because Queenslanders expect that,” Ms Grace said.

“And we also want to protect the industry itself for the economic and social benefit it brings to Queensland.

“Racing generates more than $1.6 billion a year for the Queensland economy and supports more than 12,600 full-time equivalent jobs within the industry and in its supply industries.”

Acting Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner Mark Ainsworth said the projects promoted and supported the Commission’s animal welfare objectives, including maximising the post-racing career of racing horses and greyhounds.

The grants assist organisations ranging from the FNQ Foster Farm, at Lake Eacham on the Atherton Tablelands to Rosewood near Ipswich and for projects including dental work for greyhounds before they are rehomed and shelters for track horses.

In 2020-21, $2.3 million is forecast to be spent on the welfare of Queensland racing animals. This includes funding for greyhound adoption programs and resources to enforce animal welfare compliance as well as an education program.

The recipients are:

The Standardbred Association of Queensland towards showcasing off-the-track racehorses:

• the State Dressage and Show Jumping Championship;
• the purchase of show jumping equipment; and
• the 2021 Queensland Standardbred State Hacking and Harness Championships.

The Maryborough Active Riders towards:

• two free one-day clinics aimed at preparing retired racehorses for the show ring; and
• the 2021 Fraser Coast Dressage two-star Championships

Equestrian Queensland - Driving Queensland to assist in the running of Driving

Road Show Days to showcase the off-the-track standardbred’s abilities in the

sport of driving.

The Brisbane Polo and Equestrian Club for:

• two low-goal tournaments to feature the re-education of retired racehorses; and
• to contribute to the purchase of portable yards.

The Redlands and Southern Districts Equestrian Group to help integrate racehorses into ongoing dressage competitions.

Love a Greyhound to help de-sex dogs and carry out dental work to make them available for rehoming.

The Caloundra Equestrian Association for a 2021 show jumping event promoting the post-racing careers of retired racehorses.

The Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club to help launch a greyhound welfare and rehabilitation program and to purchase greyhound confinement equipment to facilitate rehabilitation.

The FNQ Foster Farm Incorporated for the purchase of shelters for retired racehorses.

The Transitioning Thoroughbreds Foundation to assist a retraining and rehoming program for retired racehorses.

The Lakeside Animal Sanctuary to assist in the purchase of a veterinary crush for the safe handling and restraint of retired racehorses requiring veterinary treatment.

[ENDS]