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.
Thoroughbred Horses 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 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
THOROUGHBRED HORSES / 03.09.25 Soil compaction is quietly limiting pasture productivity and affecting horse health. Thanks to the work of 2022 Nuffield Scholar Adam Williamson, the thoroughbred industry now has practical, evidence-based strategies to address it.
3 min read
THOROUGHBRED HORSES / 20.08.25 To help further drive the Australian Thoroughbred horse industry’s long-term sustainability through targeted research and innovation, AgriFutures Australia has appointed Michael Grieve as Chair and Jonathan D’Arcy as a new member of its Thoroughbred Horses Advisory Panel.
4 min read
The Thoroughbred industry in Australia is the second largest in the world, both in terms of breeding and the number of races held. The industry...
Publication / 4 Pages
The requirement for increased antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) across all industries and the knowledge that sub-optimal prescribing occurs in the veterinary industry dictates that work to...
Publication / 4 Pages
Antimicrobials are commonly used to treat equine infections, but complications with therapy are also relatively common. Antimicrobial-associated diarrhoea (Section 6), immune mediated diseases and nephrotoxicity...
Publication / 260 Pages
Radiography is a key part of stakeholder decision-making when buying, selling and managing Thoroughbred yearlings. In Australia, a standard set of radiographs obtained within 42...
Publication / 6 Pages
Salmonella is an important intestinal infection of horses of all ages, and can cause colic, diarrhoea, generalised illness and death. Horses infected with Salmonella frequently need intensive treatment...
Publication / 4 Pages
Salmonella infection can result in major health consequences in horses. The recommendations drawn from this study are crucial for improving biosecurity measures and infection control practices...
Publication / 44 Pages
The Australian thoroughbred breeding industry is the second-largest in the world and makes a substantial economic and social contribution to the country. Research capturing the...
Publication / 8 Pages
The Australian thoroughbred breeding industry contributes nearly $1.68 billion annually to the Australian economy and provides full-time employment for over 9,000 people, predominantly in rural...
Publication / 50 Pages
TBA Learning is the Australian thoroughbred breeding industry’s home for online learning. This dedicated learning platform, owned and managed by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA), supports...
Publication / 6 Pages
Each thoroughbred breeding region has unique characteristics, so it is crucial to have accurate information specific to each state. Information acquired from the Australian Stud...
Publication / 4 Pages
The Australian thoroughbred breeding industry is a significant contributor to the national economy, generating more than $1.16 billion annually. As the second-largest industry of its...
Publication / 48 Pages
Concerns regarding the current thoroughbred yearling sales endoscopy process has led to a lack of confidence in the system, with stakeholders questioning whether it is...
Publication / 6 Pages
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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:
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
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
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
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.
The Thoroughbred Horses RD&E Plan (2022–2027) identifies four key priorities:
Read the full Thoroughbred Horses RD&E Plan
See the Thoroughbred Horses Industry Blueprint
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.
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.
Current projects include:
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.
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
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