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 Horses 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
THOROUGHBRED HORSES / 28.04.26 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
THOROUGHBRED HORSES / 31.03.26 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
THOROUGHBRED HORSES / 27.03.26 AgriFutures Australia has appointed Jonathan D’Arcy as Chair of the Thoroughbred Horses Program Advisory Panel, bringing more than 45 years of experience across the Australian Thoroughbred industry to the role.
3 min read
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...
Publication / 28 Pages
The AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program invests in research, development and extension (RD&E) that strengthens Australia’s Thoroughbred breeding industry. Our purpose is simple: use your levy to deliver meaningful, practical innovation that improves horse welfare, boosts productivity, enhances sustainability and helps breeders prepare for future challenges and opportunities. Innovation isn’t a side project — it sits at the centre of everything we do. From cutting‑edge reproductive tools and new diagnostic tests to foal survival resources and workforce development initiatives, every investment is designed to deliver real‑world benefits for the industry.
Industry summary / 4
This report explores a common genetic issue linked to early pregnancy loss in Australian Thoroughbred horses. It explains how better understanding this risk can help...
Publication / 6 Pages
Genomic insights into multi-drug resistant Salmonella in Australian Thoroughbreds is a research project investigating the genetic makeup of Salmonella strains affecting Thoroughbred horses in Australia....
Publication / 6 Pages
This pocket guide provides evidence-based, best practice approaches in an Australian context. It is designed to help stud owners, farm managers and staff: Reduce worm...
Publication / 36 Pages
This pocket guide will assist veterinarians working with Thoroughbred horses to: Advise clients on best practice internal parasite management which aligns with current research Understand...
Publication / 52 Pages
This project addresses a critical gap between high‑quality research and real‑world practice by identifying the social, attitudinal and contextual factors that influence adoption. Through a...
Publication / 6 Pages
This document represents the first comprehensive resource providing detailed guidance on the management and treatment of common bacterial diseases in horses in Australia. Key highlights...
Publication / 4 Pages
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
Brand Rebellion Pty Ltd.
January 2026 - September 2026
The University of Newcastle
December 2025 - June 2029
Charles Sturt University
December 2025 - January 2027
Racing Analytical Services Ltd
November 2025 - April 2027
Evidn Pty Ltd
November 2025 - November 2027
Racing Australia Limited
June 2025 - May 2026
Equine Specialist Consulting
January 2025 - May 2026
The University of Queensland
June 2024 - August 2028
The University of Newcastle
May 2024 - September 2027
Hot Tin Roof Communications Pty Ltd as Trustee for Hot Tin Roof Family Trust
March 2024 - October 2024
IER Trading PTY LTD
March 2024 - August 2024
AusVet Pty Ltd
November 2023 - April 2024
The University of Queensland
August 2023 - August 2024
The University of Queensland
June 2023 - November 2027
R M Hedlefs BVSc
March 2023 - May 2023
Hot Tin Roof Communications Pty Ltd as Trustee for Hot Tin Roof Family Trust
January 2023 - June 2023
Hot Tin Roof Communications Pty Ltd as Trustee for Hot Tin Roof Family Trust
January 2023 - December 2023
The University of Sydney
January 2023 - April 2027
The University of Adelaide
October 2022 - November 2024
University of the Sunshine Coast
September 2022 - January 2024
Charles Sturt University
August 2022 - December 2024
The University of Newcastle
August 2022 - October 2025
Thoroughbred Breeders WA
July 2022 - January 2023
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia
July 2022 - January 2023
The University of Queensland
July 2022 - September 2023
The University of Newcastle
July 2022 - July 2024
The Australian Veterinary Association Ltd
June 2022 - February 2025
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia
February 2022 - June 2024
Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria
December 2021 - February 2023
AgEconPlus Pty Ltd
October 2021 - August 2022
Cumbre Consulting
July 2021 - May 2022
The University of Queensland
June 2021 - August 2023
AgEconPlus Pty Ltd
January 2021 - July 2022
The University of Melbourne
December 2020 - July 2024
The University of Adelaide
July 2020 - January 2023
Charles Sturt University
July 2020 - May 2023
The University of Adelaide
July 2020 - January 2023
The University of Melbourne
July 2020 - December 2025
The University of Queensland
July 2020 - December 2021
The University of Queensland
May 2020 - June 2021
Charles Sturt University
March 2020 - July 2023
Racing Australia Limited
July 2019 - August 2022
The University of Newcastle
May 2019 - April 2023
The University of Newcastle
May 2019 - May 2022
The University of Melbourne
May 2019 - December 2020
(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
La Trobe University
October 2018 - May 2021
The University of Melbourne
October 2018 - February 2021
Charles Sturt University
September 2018 - December 2020
The University of Melbourne
September 2018 - April 2023
Charles Sturt University
August 2018 - December 2024
The University of Melbourne
August 2018 - May 2020
The University of Melbourne
June 2018 - December 2021
University of the Sunshine Coast
June 2018 - June 2022
The University of Melbourne
June 2018 - September 2019
The University of Newcastle
May 2018 - July 2020
Agtrans Research
November 2014 - June 2015
The Australian Veterinary Association Ltd
April 2013 - July 2013
McFarlane Strategic Services
December 2012 - February 2013
The University of Queensland
November 2012 - January 2015
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 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
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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