Killing at The Q: $86m deathtrap for greyhounds - Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds

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.

“Queensland greyhound racing participants can now proudly say they have a permanent home for their sport"
"Constructed with animal welfare at its core, The Q will be the envy of greyhound racing jurisdictions across Australia and the world.”

Tim Mander

Qld Racing Minister

Greyhounds killed at The Q

Death of Chunky Monkey

Stewards report 16 October 2025:

“7. Chunky Monkey – Through the 1^st 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.”

https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/racing/full-calendar/greyhound/meeting/qtt%20/20250616/stewards-report

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 1^st 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.”

" ... it is like Disneyland for greyhounds"

Trainer Jason Sharp on 4 May 2025

Five deaths recorded

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.