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.

Thoroughbred horse at an Australian racing facility, reflecting the Thoroughbred horse industry and its breeding and training environment.

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Thoroughbred Horses RD&E Plans

Horse Welfare Initiative

Thoroughbred Horse webinar series

Industry Blueprint

Latest news and events

Three people in navy shirts and shorts walk alongside several brown horses grazing in a grassy field with green trees and hills in the background.

Thoroughbred Horses

What’s stopping you? Using behavioural science to improve adoption of new thoroughbred industry standards

There are big strides being made in research within the Thoroughbred world all of the time, but how can we ensure that the new best practice standards identified in the literature are adopted by the industry? That is a question that the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program and applied behavioural science company Evidn are seeking to answer together in their new project, launched earlier this year.

6 min read

A brown mare stands closely with her foal in a grassy field. The foal nuzzles the mare affectionately, and both horses look calm. The background is blurred green with hints of trees.

THOROUGHBRED HORSES / 20.05.26

More than a miss: Scientists identify a gene variant that causes early pregnancy loss

The ratio of live foals to mares covered has sat at 66% for some time, but researchers at the University of Newcastle and University of Sydney have identified a gene that causes early pregnancy loss and are developing a tool to help breeders make more informed breeding decisions.

7 min read

Miriam Drinnan-Thoroughbred Horses Les Young Scholarship . A person with long hair tied back, wearing a navy jumper over a white collared shirt and blue jeans, stands outdoors beside a leafy wall, smiling with one hand in their pocket.

THOROUGHBRED HORSES / 28.04.26

Applications open for 2026 Les Young Scholarship

Applications opened on Thursday, March 26, for the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program’s 2026 Les Young Scholarship; an opportunity for one young industry participant to travel to the United Kingdom and complete a tailored education program at The National Stud in Newmarket. The scholarship covers travel and accommodation costs for the recipient, who will partake in theory and practical coursework across all sectors of the Stud. They will complete a course in stud and bloodstock management, where the content will be tailored to the student’s experience and career goals.

8 min read

Article tag icon for Applications open for the 2026 Les Young Scholarship – an international opportunity for emerging Thoroughbred professionals

THOROUGHBRED HORSES / 31.03.26

Applications open for the 2026 Les Young Scholarship – an international opportunity for emerging Thoroughbred professionals 

Continuing Les Young’s legacy of mentoring the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry’s next generation, the Les Young Scholarship builds skills through international study and hands-on experience.

2 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
Workforce, industry and community engagement
Thoroughbred diseases and parasites

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 and RD&E. For Thoroughbred horses, AgriFutures Australia invests the RD&E levy in line with the industry’s Strategic Plan and receives Commonwealth funding (up to 50c per dollar of eligible expenditure), along with third-party contributions.

Find out more about your levy
Learn more about how AgriFutures Australia is funded
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

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:

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

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:

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

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.

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:

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

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