Thoroughbred Horses

The Australian thoroughbred breeding industry contributes more than $1.68 billion to the national economy each year and is the second largest in the world. The AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program invests in high-impact research, development and extension (RD&E) to improve the sustainability, productivity and global competitiveness of the Australian thoroughbred industry. Through strategic investment in thoroughbred research and innovation, the program supports breeders, veterinarians and industry stakeholders to strengthen equine health, welfare and performance.

Explore popular thoroughbred horses content

About the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program

Thoroughbred Horses RD&E Plans

Horse Welfare Initiative

Thoroughbred Horse webinar series

Industry Blueprint

Latest news and events

Thoroughbred Horses

Basil Nolan’s Les Young Scholarship experience ‘a dream come true’

When fourth-generation Queensland Thoroughbred breeder, Basil Nolan, arrived at the prestigious UK National Stud in Newmarket in January 2025 he embraced the chance to immerse himself in the rich heritage of the British Thoroughbred industry. What he discovered was more than just world-class breeders and bloodlines – it was a life-changing mix of learning, network-building and experiences that will shape his stewardship of his family’s Thoroughbred breeding legacy.

7 min read

Australian Thoroughbred horses at yearling sales - part of Thoroughbred industry

THOROUGHBRED HORSES / 05.01.26

One year review: Embracing new ways to evaluate the risks of yearling endoscopy

Scoping a yearling’s throat is just one piece of the puzzle that goes onto selecting your next champion at the sales, but until late 2024, it has been difficult for buyers to concretely quantify the risk posed by what a vet sees on the scope. The efforts of Professor Samantha Franklin, Professor Benjamin Ahern, and Dr Josie Hardwick, in a project supported by the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program, sought to demystify the connection between the sale ring and racetrack performance. One year on from the project’s completion and as the 2026 yearling sale season draws near, we can reflect on the impact of this work and how it has made one vital part of the buying process much easier to understand.

8 min read

A person wearing a blue shirt and a cap is kneeling in a grassy field, extending an arm towards the head of a bay thoroughbred horse. Next to the horse stands a young foal, also brown in color. The background features tall trees and a cloudy sky

THOROUGHBRED HORSES / 28.11.25

A potential game-changer for older mare fertility: Niacin enters the chat

We have addressed what happens when a stallion experiences infertility, but what more can we do for the mare? Professor Christopher Grupen from the University of Sydney discusses an exciting AgriFutures Australia project exploring the effects of niacin supplementation on egg quality in older mares.

7 min read

THOROUGHBRED HORSES / 07.10.25

Les Young Scholarship sets Miriam on track for industry leadership

Miriam Drinnan’s vision for a big, bold career in the Thoroughbred industry has just been turbo-charged thanks to the Les Young Scholarship, an award supported by the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program.

5 min read

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About the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program

The AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program invests in targeted research, development and extension (RD&E) to strengthen the sustainability, productivity and global competitiveness of the Australian thoroughbred industry.

The program supports high-impact projects across four key priority areas:

Thoroughbred horse welfare, workforce safety and environmental sustainability
Thoroughbred breeding and genetic improvement
Workforce, industry and community engagement to build capability and resilience
Management of thoroughbred diseases and parasites to protect equine health

Guided by the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program Strategic RD&E Plan, research priorities are carefully identified and balanced to deliver outcomes that enhance industry productivity, profitability and long-term sustainability.

Download the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program Strategic RD&E Plan 2022-2027

About your levy

The Australian thoroughbred horse industry operates under a statutory levy of $10 per mare return and $10 per stallion cover, paid by the breeder who lodges a mare return or stallion declaration of service with Racing Australia. Levy funds are allocated to research, development and extension (RD&E) projects that support the long-term growth and sustainability of the industry.

Levies are collected under the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Acts and can fund biosecurity, residue testing, marketing, and RD&E. For thoroughbred horses, AgriFutures Australia invests the RD&E levy in line with the industry’s Strategic Plan and receives Commonwealth matching funding (up to 50c per dollar of eligible expenditure), along with third-party contributions.

Find out more about your levy
View the Thoroughbred Horses Annual Report summary

Collaboration

Continued investment in thoroughbred horses research is essential to building an efficient breeding system and enhancing the global competitiveness of the Australian thoroughbred industry.

The AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program works closely with breeders, industry associations and the Thoroughbred Horses Advisory Panel to identify research priorities and direct program investments where they will deliver the greatest impact. This collaborative approach supports sustainable horse breeding, stronger industry performance, and long-term growth for the sector.

Learn about the Agrifutures Thoroughbred Horses Advisory Panel
Visit Thoroughbred Breeders Australia

AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program FAQ's

What is the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program?

The AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program invests in research, development and extension (RD&E) to improve the sustainability, productivity and competitiveness of the Australian thoroughbred breeding industry. The program supports innovation in breeding, welfare, biosecurity, industry sustainability, workforce development, and disease management to ensure the industry remains globally competitive.

What are the priorities for the Australian thoroughbred industry?

The Thoroughbred Horses RD&E Plan (2022–2027) identifies four key priorities:

Thoroughbred horse welfare, workforce safety and environmental sustainability: improving horse and human safety, welfare and environmental sustainability workforce wellbeing.
Workforce, industry and community engagement: understanding the economic contribution of the industry, developing training opportunities and sharing knowledge through extension activities.
Thoroughbred breeding: improving breeding outcomes and foal health.
Thoroughbred diseases and parasites: reducing the impact of infectious diseases and parasites.

Read the full Thoroughbred Horses RD&E Plan
See the Thoroughbred Horses Industry Blueprint

Why is welfare a top priority for the thoroughbred horses industry?

Welfare underpins the industry’s social license and long-term sustainability. Improving the welfare of horses and the safety of those who work with them is one of four strategic priorities, alongside breeding efficiency, biosecurity, and sustainability. The program invests in research and best practice guidelines that support equine wellbeing across the horse’s life, from breeding and training to rehoming, while also enhancing workforce safety and community trust. This commitment ensures the industry remains responsive to public expectations and capable of attracting and retaining skilled workers.

How is the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program funded?

The program is funded through a statutory R&D levy of \$10 per mare covered and \$10 per mare returned, paid by stallion and broodmare owners. For every dollar of eligible expenditure from the industry levy, AgriFutures commits to securing 50 cents in Commonwealth funding, effectively doubling the investment in research and development. This is supplemented by third-party industry contributions.

Learn more about your Thoroughbred Horses LevyLearn more: About Your Thoroughbred Horses Levy.

What research projects are underway?

Current projects include:

Understanding mid-term pregnancy loss in mares.
Evaluation of a prototype vaccine for rattles disease in foals.
Training opportunities for young industry members through the Les Young Scholarship.
Development of a national strategy for retired thoroughbreds.

See all Thoroughbred Horses research projects

What is the economic impact of the thoroughbred breeding industry?

The Australian thoroughbred breeding industry contributes \$1.68 billion annually to the national economy and supports over 9,000 full-time equivalent jobs, primarily in rural and regional areas.

How can I get involved or stay informed?

Subscribe for Thoroughbred Horses Program updates.
Access resources like the Industry Blueprint and RD&E Plan.
Listen to AgriFutures’ podcast Unearthed: The people changing Australian agriculture.
Participate in webinars, workshops and industry events.

Contact

If you’re passionate about thoroughbred horse research or thoroughbred breeding in Australia, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re a thoroughbred breeder, researcher, or interested in being involved in the Australian thoroughbred industry, reach out to the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program.

For project-related inquiries:

Caitlin Smith
Manager, Levied & Emerging Industries – Thoroughbred Horses Program

0407 987 738

Mia Lorber-Hughes
Coordinator, Levied & Emerging Industries – Thoroughbred Horses Program

0437 811 347

For industry and strategic issues and inquiries:

Amanda Olthof
Senior Manager, Levied & Emerging Industries – Thoroughbred Horses Program

0499 384 037

Funding opportunities

Thoroughbred Horses

Environment and sustainability

National trends

Productivity

Explore popular thoroughbred horses content

About the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program

Thoroughbred Horses RD&E Plans

Horse Welfare Initiative

Thoroughbred Horse webinar series

Industry Blueprint

Latest news and events

Thoroughbred Horses

Basil Nolan’s Les Young Scholarship experience ‘a dream come true’

THOROUGHBRED HORSES / 05.01.26

One year review: Embracing new ways to evaluate the risks of yearling endoscopy

THOROUGHBRED HORSES / 28.11.25

A potential game-changer for older mare fertility: Niacin enters the chat

THOROUGHBRED HORSES / 07.10.25

Les Young Scholarship sets Miriam on track for industry leadership

Access thoroughbred horses resources

thoroughbred horses

Snapshot: Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for horses

thoroughbred horses

Project overview: A strategy to increase demand for retired Thoroughbreds in Australia

thoroughbred horses

Project overview: AMR equine modules and supporting materials

thoroughbred horses

Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for horses in Australia

thoroughbred horses

Yearling X-ray lesions and the effect on longterm performance in Thoroughbred horses

thoroughbred horses

Project snapshot: Epidemiological and bacterial analyses of Salmonella infection in the Australian Thoroughbred horse breeding industry

thoroughbred horses

Epidemiological and bacterial analyses of Salmonella infection in the Australian Thoroughbred horse breeding industry

thoroughbred horses

Project snapshot: Economic impact of the Australian thoroughbred breeding industry

thoroughbred horses

Measurement of economic impact of the Australian thoroughbred breeding industry

thoroughbred horses

Project snapshot: Development of learning modules for TBA Learning

thoroughbred horses

Project overview: Case-control study of mid-to-late-term pregnancy loss in thoroughbred mares

thoroughbred horses

Endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract at Australian thoroughbred yearling sales: can we do better?

Learn about thoroughbred horses projects

Thoroughbred Horses

AgriFutures Australia: Thoroughbred Breeding Industry Workforce Strategy

Thoroughbred Horses

Understanding a Recessive Embryo-Lethal Genotype in Australian Thoroughbred Horses

Thoroughbred Horses

Genomic Insights into Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella in Australian thoroughbreds

Thoroughbred Horses

The detection of AICAR administration in racehorses

Thoroughbred Horses

Using Behavioural Science to Enhance Extension and Adoption Outcomes for the Australian Thoroughbred Industry

Thoroughbred Horses

A strategy to increase demand for retired Thoroughbreds in Australia

Thoroughbred Horses

Phase 3 of Case Control Study of Mid-late Term Pregnancy Loss in Thoroughbred Mares

Thoroughbred Horses

AMR Equine Modules and supporting materials

Thoroughbred Horses

Yearling Xray lesions, and the effect on long term performance in thoroughbred horses.

Thoroughbred Horses

The Equine Fetal Membranes. What is normal?

Thoroughbred Horses

Develop Learning Modules for TBA Learning

Thoroughbred Horses

Thoroughbred Horses Program RD&E 2024 Snapshot

Thoroughbred Horses

Update of the Economic Impact of the Thoroughbred breeding industry on the Australian Economy

Thoroughbred Horses

Preparing the thoroughbred industry for operations during a possible Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in Australia.

Thoroughbred Horses

Validation and kit development of LAMP test for C. psittaci and EHV1

Thoroughbred Horses

Development of Communications Plan & Budget

Thoroughbred Horses

Evaluation of a prototype vaccine for rattles in foals