Three of the major representative bodies of the Queensland thoroughbred industry are calling on the State Government to provide certainty for its future by confirming the ongoing leadership of its management team.

Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association, Queensland Trainers Association and Magic Millions have joined forces to show their firm support for the existing Racing Queensland Board.

It follows the continued negative exposure involving the greyhound industry, and the furore around live-baiting, as well as the ongoing rumours and innuendo surrounding Racing Queensland’s hierarchy.

“We find it both alarming and offensive that the thoroughbred industry is being affected by this scandal,” said Basil Nolan, president of both the TBQA and Thoroughbred Breeders Australia.

“It is exceptionally frustrating to think that the very administrators who have been responsible for the complete rebirth of confidence within the thoroughbred industry in Queensland over the last 12 months are now being dragged down into the gutter as a result of a greyhound practice that has seemingly been going on for decades.

“We realise it is not possible to please all of the people all of the time, however it is very important to understand that contrary to what is regularly reported, there is an enormous amount of positivity across all sectors of the thoroughbred industry in this state.

“There is no question that optimism is directly attributable to the current Racing Queensland leadership team and the strong future they have provided for us.”

QTA president Barry Baldwin said in more than 50 years of training, he had never had more clients wanting to buy horses or become involved in the industry.

“Prizemoney has never been at a higher level and all of this is as a result of the direction that Kevin Dixon and his team has taken us,” Mr Baldwin said.

“There is now a confidence there that had been missing for years and it is something we need to keep nurturing.”

Magic Millions managing director Vin Cox is adamant Queensland is now a racing state firmly on the move.

“The incredible improvements to QTIS, the substantial increases in prizemoney, a wonderfully revamped Winter Racing Carnival and a game-changing partnership with Magic Millions to host the richest raceday in Australia are just some of the reasons why the optimism within Queensland is at an all-time high,” Cox said.

“We have had a great relationship with Racing Queensland and it is one we are looking forward to continuing with in the future.”

These industry leaders are urging the State Government to look at the big picture for racing, its future viability and the strong role it can now play in the Queensland economy.