QBRED’s status as the nation’s premier harness breeding incentive bonus scheme will continue in 2025.
The highly vaunted scheme will once again see more than $4 million in bonuses up for grabs next year – along with more than $800,000 in feature race stakes.
The successful first-win bonus initiative returns, with $14,000 on offer when a QBRED-registered standardbred registers its first success in the Sunshine State.
The $7,500 second-win bonus will also continue, with a third win netting a bonus of $3,000.
The third win bonus will only be paid out for state-bred eligible QBREDs and must be won before the horse turns six-years-old.
After another successful evening in 2024, the QStars night will once again shine a light on the brightest QBRED stars.
Feature races will include the $150,000 Group 1 Pacers Triads for 2YOs and 3YOs (each sex), the $75,000 Group 2 Pacers Triads for 4YOs (each sex) and the $50,000 Group 2 Trotting Triads for 2YOs & 3YOs (mixed sex).
Additionally, there have been changes made to the feature races following recent industry consultation.
The QBRED Breeders Classic for 2 & 3YO Pacers will increase to $50,000 with qualification for these races via heats.
Qualification for the QBRED Pacing Triads will also be simplified with a ranking order no longer used.
For the 2YO and 3YO series qualification will be via heats only while the 4YO Triads these will be selected via manual field selection.
The QBRED for Life races have been phased out and replaced by 2YO and 3YO QBRED only races from September to November, which will be restricted to horses that have not won either the Breeders Classic or Triad that year.
Finally, the 3YO Trotting Triad will be a mobile start event under a preferential barrier draw based on sex.
RQ Senior Racing Manager – Harness David Brick said QBRED continued to set the standard as the nation’s premier breeding incentive scheme for standardbreds.
“The QBRED scheme continues to be the best breeding scheme available nation-wide, and we are committed to the ongoing growth of the program,” Mr Brick said.
“With more than $4 million in bonuses paid out last year, we have taken on industry feedback and made further enhancements in order to support Queensland participants.
“We unashamedly want people to back Queensland, buy Queensland and breed Queensland, and the QBRED scheme is a fundamental part of that commitment.”
Feedback garnered through the consultation also supported the Triads remaining in August.
Following last year’s changes, the 2YO Series fee will once again be auto-invoiced, which will sustain the horse in the scheme for life once paid.
Invoices will be created and forwarded to owners from December 1, and payment of the invoice must be made by February 28, 2025 for the horse to be eligible for the scheme in 2025.
While owners of two-year-olds will be auto invoiced, owners of 3YO and older horses who have not paid a series fee for their horse previously will need to complete and return the nomination form to Racing Queensland without payment by December 1, 2024.
Click here for more information and to view the 2025 QBRED brochure.
