The Q is the over-budget, over-hyped, under-prepared and unsafe new greyhound racing complex at Ipswich in south-east Queensland.
It has exceeded the worst nightmares of greyhound welfare advocates by killing greyhounds even before it officially opened.
"Constructed with animal welfare at its core, The Q will be the envy of greyhound racing jurisdictions across Australia and the world.”
Greyhounds killed at The Q
Death of Chunky Monkey
Stewards report 16 October 2025:
“7. Chunky Monkey – Through the 1st turn was tightened between runners, dragged down and fell failing to finish the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the greyhound had sustained fractures to its nearside radius and ulna. Due to the catastrophic nature of the injury the greyhound was euthanised on humane grounds.“
https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/racing/full-calendar/greyhound/meeting/qot%20/20251016/stewards-report
Death of Bad Boy Red
Stewards report 5 October 2025:
“8. Bad Boy Red – Shortly after the start was checked. Through the first turn was dragged down and checked and then fell taking no further competitive part in the event. A post-race veterinarian examination revealed an off-foreleg injury and was humanely euthanised.”
https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/racing/full-calendar/greyhound/meeting/qtt%20/20251005/stewards-report
Death of Lavana Lee
Stewards report 10 September 2025:
“6 Lavana Lee – Checked off heels shortly after the start. Took several awkward strides and raced wide rounding the home turn. A post-race veterinary examination revealed an injury to the offside wrist and under the provisions of GAR 41(1) the greyhound has been stood down for 21 days.”
https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/racing/full-calendar/greyhound/meeting/qot%20/20250910/stewards-report
Subsequent death confirmed in FastTrack: https://fasttrack.grv.org.au/Dog/Details/936100673
and eTrac: “Lavanna Lee, Status: Deceased, Sub-Status: Euth. – Injury, Status Date: 16/09/2025”
Death of Yogi’s Princess
Stewards report 13 August:
“5 Yogi’s Princess – Checked on the home turn then gave ground and took no further part in the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed an offside hock injury, the greyhound has been stood down from racing for 90 days and must complete a satisfactory steward’s trial prior to racing next.”
https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/racing/full-calendar/greyhound/meeting/qot%20/20250813/stewards-report
Subsequent death confirmed in FastTrack: https://fasttrack.grv.org.au/Dog/Details/877725218
and eTrac: “Yogi’s Princess, Status: Deceased, Sub-Status: Euth. – Injury, Status Date: 25/08/2025”
Death of Bustling Bull
Stewards report 2 August:
“4 Bustling Bull – Entering the back straight commenced to give significant ground. A post-race veterinary examination revealed an injury to the offside back muscle. Under the provisions of GAR41(1) the greyhound was subsequently stood down from racing for 60 days and must complete a satisfactory steward’s trial prior to returning to racing.”
https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/racing/full-calendar/greyhound/meeting/qot%20/20250802/stewards-report
Subsequent death confirmed in FastTrack: https://fasttrack.grv.org.au/Dog/Details/717251641
and eTrac: “Bustling Bull, Status: Deceased, Sub-Status: Euth., Status Date: 13/08/2025“
Death of Cool Hand Rio
Stewards report 22 July:
“Dragged down by another runner rounding the first turn and fell taking no further competitive part in the event.A post-race veterinary examination revealed the greyhound had sustained fractures to its nearside radius, ulna and tibia. Due to the catastrophic nature of these injuries, the greyhound was euthanised on humane grounds”
https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/racing/full-calendar/greyhound/meeting/qot%20/20250722/stewards-report
Death of Beau Ripple
Stewards report 28 June:
“Entering the first turn contacted the running rail heavily and was then checked. A post-race veterinarian examination revealed a near-foreleg injury and was humanely euthanased.”
https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/racing/full-calendar/greyhound/meeting/qtt%20/20250628/stewards-report
Deaths of Divided By Nine and Texas Wedge
Stewards report 16 June:
“7. Divided By Nine – On the first turn was checked heavily and fell taking no further competitive part in the event. A post-race veterinarian examination revealed a near-foreleg injury and was humanely euthanised.
8. Texas Wedge – On the first turn was checked heavily and fell taking no further competitive part in the event. A post-race veterinarian examination revealed an off-foreleg injury and was humanely euthanised.”
Death of Spring Freya
Stewards report 16 June:
“9. Spring Freya – Approaching the 1st turn was crowded for room and checked. A post-race veterinary examination revealed an injury to its offside achilles tendon. A 90 day stand down was imposed.”
https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/racing/full-calendar/greyhound/meeting/qot%20/20250603/stewards-report
Subsequent death confirmed in FastTrack: https://fasttrack.grv.org.au/Dog/Details/895281127
Death of Travis’s Scrub
Stewards report, 17 May:
“Through the 1st turn was tightened and severely checked falling as a result. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the greyhound has sustained a fracture to its offside foreleg. Due to the catastrophic nature of the injury the greyhound was euthanised on humane grounds.”
https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/racing/full-calendar/greyhound/meeting/qot%20/20250421/stewards-report
Death of Hara’s Mickey (killed between 12-15 May 2025)
Q2 stewards report 12 May
“4 Hara’s Mickey – Through the home turn gave significant ground. Failed to complete the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed an injury to the nearside wrist. Under the provisions of GAR41(1) the greyhound was subsequently stood down from racing for 28 days and must complete a satisfactory steward’s trial prior to returning to racing.
https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/racing/full-calendar/greyhound/meeting/qtt%20/20250512/stewards-report
Death confirmed in FastTrack: https://fasttrack.grv.org.au/Dog/Details/792289064
and eTrac: “Hara’s Mickey, Status: Deceased, Sub-Status: Euth. – Injury, Status Date: 15/05/2025″
Death of Feed Him Mungo
Stewards report 25 April:
“5 Feed Him Mungo – (Beaten favourite) Slow to begin. A post-race veterinary examination revealed an injury to the off-hind foot and under the provisions of GAR41(1) the greyhound has been stood down for 60 days. The greyhound must trial prior to any future nomination being accepted.”
https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/racing/full-calendar/greyhound/meeting/qot%20/20250425/stewards-report
Subsequent death confirmed in FastTrack: https://fasttrack.grv.org.au/Dog/Details/952144497
and eTrac: “Feed Him Mungo, Status: Deceased, Sub-Status: Euth. – Injury”
Death of He’s Whistling
Racing informant advised that “He’s Whistling” was injured at a Q1 trial in April and subsequently euthanised.
Death confirmed in FastTrack: https://fasttrack.grv.org.au/Dog/Details/846602327
and eTrac: “He’s Whistling, Status: Deceased, Sub-Status: Euth. – Injury”
Death of Federal Recall
Stewards report, 21 April:
Steward’s trial 457m: Federal Recall – Injury to the offside foreleg. Greyhound was humanely euthanised on track.
https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/racing/full-calendar/greyhound/meeting/qot%20/20250421/stewards-report
Two deaths at Q1 trials 24-25 March
Email from QRIC, 4 April:
“Throughout the trials on 24 and 25 March 2025, two greyhounds sustained hock fractures. The QRIC veterinarian oncourse provided immediate treatment and referred the greyhounds to an off-course vet for diagnostic treatment. Scans were completed on both animals, with a secondary opinion provided by an orthopaedic vet, resulting in both greyhounds being euthanised.”
Background
The Q is a multi-track greyhound racing complex situated at Purga just south of Ipswich, west of Brisbane in south-east Queensland. The precinct features three tracks – a straight track, a one-turn track and a two-turn track. It will replace two existing tracks: Ipswich and Albion Park.
- Original cost: $39m
- Final cost: $86.3m
- Taxpayer funding: $44.1m
- Construction started: 2023
The industry boasts that The Q will use the “latest best practice standards” for greyhound racing safety principles, including modern cambers and drop-on boxes.
One-turn track “Q1 Lakeside”
- First race 4 April 2025
- Trials prior to racing “to ensure dogs are accustomed to the new track”
- QRIC has confirmed injuries plus two deaths caused by trialling – euthanasia for hock fractures
- QRIC statement: Throughout the trials on 24 and 25 March 2025, two greyhounds sustained hock fractures. The QRIC veterinarian oncourse provided immediate treatment and referred the greyhounds to an off-course vet for diagnostic treatment. Scans were completed on both animals, with a secondary opinion provided by an orthopaedic vet, resulting in both greyhounds being euthanised.
Straight track “Q Straight” and two-turn track “Q2 Parklands”
- First race at Q2 Parklands on 8 May
- Racing continues at Albion Park until Q Straight opens
Official opening held on June 7.
Ladbrokes is the official wagering partner of the precinct, including signage on all three tracks and naming rights status for the club’s feature events.
Rosewood Veterinary Service is a regular sponsor.
So-called safety features
- Track radius and surface banking to be designed in a way to reduce excessive limb forces acting on greyhounds while racing;
- The implementation of modern cambers and a world-class racing surface;
- Starting box positioning to reduce interference during race starts, including drop-on boxes where best suited;
- Construction of best-practice starting boxes incorporating optimum spacing between contestants, grille heights and starting location alignment;
- Air-conditioned, sound-attenuated kennels with best practice pre and post racing support services.
Industry articles
https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/news/2025/04-april/the-q-set-for-historic-debut-meeting
https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/infrastructure/flagship-projects/the-q
https://www.thegreyhoundrecorder.com.au/news/opinion-change-needed-to-avoid-carnival-chaos/
https://www.thegreyhoundrecorder.com.au/news/first-meeting-for-q2-parklands-announced
