Qld racing to collect data on retirees

Racing officials hope to have updated retirement data on 1000 Queensland horses by the end of the month after extending an amnesty on reporting details.

Data on more than 700 horses has been provided since the amnesty was announced.

Retired judge Terry Martin, who is heading an inquiry into the treatment of retired racehorses and the practices of abattoirs, has asked for updated retirement and registration data.

At the start of the month the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission gave owners and trainers an amnesty for updating their material.

The amnesty means there will be no penalty for anyone who breaches rules regarding a horse’s retirements during its term.

QRIC boss Ross Barnett said since the amnesty there had been 411 thoroughbred and 308 standardbred retirements processed.

Barnett said the commission was extending the period to encourage all those with a race horse that has not been properly retired to come forward before November 29.

He said retirement applications had streamed in since the start of the amnesty.

The commission is allowing late retirement notifications to provide the inquiry with the most useful data to investigate the welfare and treatment of racehorses in Queensland