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 thoroughbred 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 state’s 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 and 706 registered thoroughbred breeders in Qld.

• Downs and Maranoa 176
• Gold Coast 140
• Brisbane 101
• Wide Bay 50

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 $27.9m
• Ipswich $13.2m

Total Qld $118.4m

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 and Maranoa 81,081
• Brisbane 138,670
• Gold Coast 112,533

There are four TAB race clubs and 22 non TAB race clubs scattered around the Downs and Maranoa district, including at Toowoomba and Clifton.

To learn more, look online for the Racing Queensland 2023/24 Size and Scope Report.

This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 5 June 2025.