From the Callers Box – September 2026

Is it time for a re-think for our QBRED features? A re-jig? Or a complete overhaul?

The QBRED system is widely recognised as the premier futurity scheme in the southern hemisphere, but, in many ways, it’s also still considered as the best kept secret throughout the industry. With the excellent bonuses on offer plus the rich race series, it certainly creates excellent appeal to owners and breeders.

But that got me thinking.

Are we doing enough with our QBRED race series? The Triads and the Breeders Classics.

Currently, they are two standalone events, back in the day, it was vital for owners and breeders to attend both meetings, functions would be staged and it was a great opportunity for friends and colleagues to catch-up and discuss business. But those functions aren’t what they once were, numbers have diminished and it was evident this year for both feature race nights.

So, do we need both?

Can the Breeders Classic race meeting (staged in May) and the Triad race meeting (staged in August) be morphed into one spectacular race night? And before people jump up and down, yes, I totally understand that some horses contest one event and not the other owing to injury or illness. But under this new set-up, with both race nights morphing, can we look at time and date to stage it later in the season to allow every horse the best possible time to mature and develop properly?

The prizemoney on offer for the Breeders Classics totalled $260,000 while the Triads amounted to $900,000 – that’s a combined $1.16 million. Isn’t that worth considering, a spectacular race night for QBRED performers only chasing major riches on offer!

From a promotional standpoint, that’s a slam dunk promoting a race meeting carrying that level of prizemoney. Surely owners and breeders will return and want to be trackside for that super QStars race night? And all eyes will be on Queensland for the right reasons and coverage will be thrilling.

What the heats and finals plus the consolations are worth, well, that’ll be up to Racing Queensland to sort out but surely it makes more appeal than the current set-up of two standalone meetings.

Let’s keep evolving and pushing the boundaries. And let’s prove that the QBRED Futurity Scheme is without peer.

Until next time.