Thoroughbred Horses
Pregnancy project expands to build picture of foetal foal loss
Thoroughbred industry stakeholders set to benefit from greater access to fully funded confidential post-mortems.
4 min read
Latest news and events
THOROUGHBRED HORSES / 04.06.24
Safeguarding the health of the thoroughbred breeding industry
New study boosting knowledge of risk factors and treatment strategies related to Salmonella infection in Australian horses
1 min read
THOROUGHBRED HORSES / 30.04.24
Optimising horse welfare through online education platform
A united passion to ensure the welfare of thoroughbred horses by educating and training a skilled workforce is at the heart of a new Thoroughbred Breeders Association (TBA) online learning platform.
5 min read
THOROUGHBRED HORSES / 27.03.24
Passion for performance horses has aspiring vet on the right track
The opportunity to work with elite equine athletes the driving force behind Ella’s decision to apply for a Horizon Scholarship. Sponsored by the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program, 2023 AgriFutures Horizon Scholar Ella Fleming says she is looking forward to working with elite equine athletes and learning about equine reproduction.
3 min read
Thoroughbred horses resources
Preparing the thoroughbred industry for operations during a possible foot and mouth disease outbreak
In the wake of the 2022 foot and mouth disease (FMD) resurgence in Indonesia, there is a critical need for Australia to be prepared in...
Publication / 58 Pages
Project snapshot: Preparing the thoroughbred industry for operations during a possible foot and mouth disease outbreak
The re-emergence of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Indonesia in 2022 has emphasised the need for Australia to be prepared for a potential incursion....
Publication / 5 Pages
Project snapshot: Bacteriophage and Rhodococcus equi pneumonia risk
The Australian thoroughbred breeding industry continues to grapple with managing risks related to Rhodococcus equi pneumonia, commonly known as ‘rattles’. The disease compromises foal health...
Publication / 6 Pages
Project snapshot: Rapid diagnosis of strangles to improve horse health
Infectious diseases can cause significant equine illness and death, seriously impacting the productivity of the Australian thoroughbred breeding industry and incurring economic losses. One well-known...
Publication / 6 Pages
Fit to foal: Managing the pregnant mare for maximum foal survival
The Australian thoroughbred breeding industry is second in size only to that of the United States, with 660 stud farms predominantly in New South Wales,...
Publication / 25 Pages
Poster: Antibiotics – think twice, get advice
Resistance to antibiotics used to treat horses is increasing. Resistant bacteria can spread from horses to humans (and humans to horses). When bacteria develop resistance...
Publication / 1 Page
Poster: Managing the human risk of equine fetal loss
Exposure to fetal material and bodily fluids poses a significant risk of spreading and contracting infectious diseases carried by pregnant mares. Monitor, test and suit-up...
Publication / 1 Page
Caterpillar control – the key to reducing equine amnionitis and fetal loss syndrome
Exposure to hairy processionary caterpillars (Ochrogaster lunifer), or their nest material, can damage tissues in the amnion, umbilical cord and placenta of developing fetuses, resulting...
Publication / 4 Pages
Fact sheet: Equine herpes virus
Equine herpes virus (EHV) is a DNA virus found in horses all around the world. There are different strains of EHV, with the most common...
Publication / 2 Pages
Understanding next steps for sustainable gastrointestinal worm control in thoroughbred horses
The Australian thoroughbred breeding industry is responsible for generating more than $1.16 billion to the Australian economy and is the second-largest industry of its kind...
Publication / 24 Pages
Project snapshot: Improving the detection of parasitic infections and control strategies of horses
In Australia, current horse worm (parasite) control practices are based on historical knowledge generated in the northern hemisphere, particularly in Europe and the United States....
Publication / 10 Pages
Thoroughbred horses projects
Early pregnancy in the mare: mechanisms of immune recognition and novel assays for pregnancy testing
The University of Newcastle
May 2024 - September 2027
Update of the Economic Impact of the Thoroughbred breeding industry on the Australian Economy
IER Trading PTY LTD
March 2024 - August 2024
Preparing the thoroughbred industry for operations during a possible Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in Australia.
AusVet Pty Ltd
October 2023 - April 2024
Validation and kit development of LAMP test for C. psittaci and EHV1
The University of Queensland
August 2023 - August 2024
Identification of Exotic and Emergency Animal Disease risks and minimisation strategies to Australian thoroughbred breeding industry
R M Hedlefs BVSc
March 2023 - May 2023
Understanding next steps for sustainable gastrointestinal worm control in thoroughbred horses
Hot Tin Roof Communications Pty Ltd as Trustee for Hot Tin Roof Family Trust
January 2023 - June 2023
Extension material for AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program
Hot Tin Roof Communications Pty Ltd as Trustee for Hot Tin Roof Family Trust
January 2023 - December 2023
Improving Fertility in Older Mares: Can the Effects of Aging be Reversed?
The University of Sydney
January 2023 - October 2026
Endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract at Australian Thoroughbred yearling sales: Can we do better?
The University of Adelaide
October 2022 - November 2024
Rapid diagnosis of strangles to improve horse health
University of the Sunshine Coast
September 2022 - January 2024
Epidemiological and bacteriological analyses of Salmonella infection in the Australian Thoroughbred horse breeding industry
Charles Sturt University
August 2022 - December 2024
Reducing the Effects of Heat Stress and Ageing on Sperm DNA damage in Thoroughbred Stallions
The University of Newcastle
July 2022 - September 2025
Governance Training for WA Thoroughbred Stakeholder Bodies
Thoroughbred Breeders WA
July 2022 - January 2023
SCAHLS validation of Hendra Virus (inc. variant) POC test
The University of Queensland
July 2022 - September 2023
Online Training Portal To Improve Animal Welfare Via Upskilling Existing And Prospective Breeding Farm Staff With A Focus On Early Career Workers
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia
July 2022 - January 2023
'Equility' - Assessing Stallion Fertility in the Field: Extension and Adoption Activities
The University of Newcastle
July 2022 - July 2024
Phase Two - Post-mortem of pregnancy loss in thoroughbred horses
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia
February 2022 - June 2024
AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program Webinar Series
Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria
December 2021 - February 2023
Strategic Planning & Writing for the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program RD&E Plan 2022-23 to 2027-28
AgEconPlus Pty Ltd
October 2021 - August 2022
Thoroughbred horses stakeholder mapping and communications preferences
Cumbre Consulting
July 2021 - May 2022
Investigation of what radiographic lesions in thoroughbred yearlings are significant in limiting future racing performance
The University of Queensland
June 2021 - July 2023
Economic Impact Assessment of Thoroughbred Horse and Ginger programs
AgEconPlus Pty Ltd
January 2021 - July 2022
Sesamoid bone adaptation and repair in Thoroughbred race horses in training
The University of Melbourne
December 2020 - June 2024
Evaluation of equine endometrium using Confocal Laser endomicroscopy
The University of Adelaide
July 2020 - January 2023
Effects of faecal microbiota transplant therapy on infectious diarrhoea in foals
Charles Sturt University
July 2020 - May 2023
Diagnostic imaging to reduce Thoroughbred racing fatality
The University of Queensland
July 2020 - December 2021
Can iso-PGs indicate the need for surgery and predict survival in colic horses?
The University of Adelaide
July 2020 - December 2022
Rapid point of care diagnosis of equine Hendra Virus using LAMP technology
The University of Queensland
May 2020 - June 2021
The pathology and epidemiology of equine pregnancy loss
Charles Sturt University
February 2020 - June 2023
Science fact not fiction: Detecting gene edited racehorses
Racing Australia Limited
July 2019 - August 2022
Developing a novel diagnostic test for early pregnancy in the mare
The University of Newcastle
May 2019 - April 2023
Coxiella burnetii infection in association with equine abortion
The University of Melbourne
May 2019 - December 2020
A Novel Device for the On-farm Assessment of Stallion Sperm Fertility
The University of Newcastle
May 2019 - May 2022
Rapid diagnosis of infectious agents of equine reproductive loss
(DPI) The Crown in right of the State of New South Wales acting through the Department of Primary Industries within Regional NSW
January 2019 - March 2020
Improving jockey safety through virtual reality and biomarkers of concussion
La Trobe University
October 2018 - May 2021
The uterine microbiome- key to equine infertility?
The University of Melbourne
October 2018 - February 2021
Improved bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing
Charles Sturt University
September 2018 - December 2020
Improving the detection of parasitic infections and control strategies of horses
The University of Melbourne
September 2018 - April 2023
Computational modelling of limb loads from galloping horses on different tracks
The University of Melbourne
August 2018 - May 2020
Maintaining welfare and integrity in Australian Racing
Charles Sturt University
August 2018 - May 2023
Wellbeing: Racing demographics, reasons for retirement & post racing destinations
The University of Melbourne
June 2018 - December 2021
Understanding the epidemiology of Chlamydia psittaci infections in mares
University of the Sunshine Coast
June 2018 - June 2022
Wellbeing from pregnancy to racing- horse demographics
The University of Melbourne
June 2018 - September 2019
PhD Understanding, reducing the effects of heat stress on TB stallion fertility
The University of Newcastle
May 2018 - July 2020
Impact assessment of investment in the Horse RD&E program
Agtrans Research
November 2014 - June 2015
Sponsorship of the 2013 Bain Fallon Conference breakfast
The Australian Veterinary Association Ltd
April 2013 - July 2013
Workshop on options for a statutory RD&E levy for the Australian horse industry
McFarlane Strategic Services
December 2012 - February 2013
Macrocyclic lactone resistance in Australian horses
The University of Queensland
November 2012 - January 2015
Determining forces generated using a padded whip and impacts on the horse
Charles Sturt University
June 2012 - April 2014
Health and Safety in Australian Racing: Evaluation of Safety Vests
Equine Consulting Services
June 2012 - November 2013
Horse industry engagement on future of RIRDC Horse Program
Australian Horse Industry Council
September 2011 - May 2012
Working towards a more accurate diagnosis of inflammatory airway disease
Murdoch University
August 2011 - December 2014
Measurement of Racetrack Surface Using Instrumented Horseshoes
The University of Melbourne
August 2011 - June 2013
Laminitis treatment by regional drug delivery to the horse’s foot
The University of Queensland
August 2011 - May 2014
Gene expression in horses with Recurrent Laryngeal Neuropathy (RLN)
The University of Melbourne
July 2011 - June 2013
What role does rotavirus play in equine diarrhoea in Australian horses?
The University of Melbourne
July 2011 - May 2013
Use of the guinea pig as a laboratory model for EAFL (xtn of PRJ-530 and -2592)
The University of Queensland
March 2011 - April 2013
Bone repair in thoroughbred racehorses: effects of training and rest
The University of Melbourne
August 2010 - May 2013
Developing training programs to prevent injury in young racehorses
The University of Queensland
August 2010 - December 2013
About the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program
The AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program invests in RD&E that improves the sustainability, productivity and competitiveness of the Australian thoroughbred industry. The Program supports investment in projects across four priority areas:
- Thoroughbred horse welfare, workforce safety and environmental sustainability
- Thoroughbred breeding
- Workforce, industry and community engagement
- Thoroughbred diseases and parasites
The AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program Strategic RD&E Plan identifies and balances the research, development and extension priorities and outcomes to promote industry productivity, profitability and sustainability.
Download the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program Strategic RD&E Plan 2022-2027
About your levy
Australian primary industries that choose to invest in the levies system prescribe the amount of levy or charge applied to a commodity under the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 1999, Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999, National Residue Survey (Customs) Levy Act 1998 and the National Residue Survey (Excise) Levy Act 1998.
Collaboration
A continued investment into thoroughbred horses research will ensure an efficient breeding system and enhance the competitiveness of the industry. We are committed to working closely with all those involved in thoroughbred breeding, including Advisory Panels and industry associations to identify research priorities and make Program investments which will have the greatest impact on the industry.
Learn about the Agrifutures Thoroughbred Horses Advisory Panel
Visit Thoroughbred Breeders Australia
Contact
For project-related inquiries:
Caitlin Smith
Manager, Levied & Emerging Industries – Thoroughbred Horses Program
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
