All roads lead to The Q as the Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival begins to take shape.
On the back of hosting its historical first meeting earlier this month, The Q will showcase this year’s Winter Carnival over seven action-packed meetings and close to $3 million in feature prize money on offer.
The $1 million Group 1 Brisbane Cup on July 5 will maintain its status as one of the world’s premier greyhound races, taking its position as the crowning jewel of the Carnival offering a staggering $650,000 to the winner.
Taking its place on the same card will be the Group 1 Queensland Cup – reaching a total prize pool of $262,500 – to be run over the 710-metre distance for the stayers.
As an added incentive, a $10,000 bonus will be on offer to the winners of a Brisbane Cup or Queensland Cup heat if they have placed in a designated lead-up feature event during the Winter Carnival.
The $225,000 Flying Amy Classic will once again be run at Group 1 level, marking the first top-line feature event to take place at The Q, coinciding with the complex’s official opening event on June 7.
Another pair of champion Queensland chasers will also be honoured two days prior on June 5, through both the Group 2 Cyndie’s Magic and the Group 3 Dashing Corsair.
“This Carnival has firmly established itself as the nation’s premier place to chase over the winter months, and we are excited to see it reach new heights in 2025 at The Q,” Racing Queensland Acting CEO Lachlan Murray said.
“We have worked tirelessly with the Queensland Greyhound Racing Club to ensure this Carnival will cater to greyhounds of all skill and distance; from maidens to masters, age-restricted classics and Group races at all levels.
“The Brisbane Cup remains the crowning jewel of the programme, however The Q’s official opening event on June 7 to coincide with the Flying Amy will be a night not to be missed, coupled with the famous Origin Greyhound Series a matter of days later.”
After Queensland tasted defeat in 2024, the interstate rivalry will reignite at its new home, with the popular Origin Greyhound Series taking place on June 12.
The series will feature both the Origin Sprint and Origin Distance (worth $150,000 apiece) as well as the $60,000 two-dog match race, where competing chasers will be selected by Queensland and NSW respectively.
“We are incredibly excited to bring the Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival to The Q for the first time,” QGRC Acting CEO Jason Scott said.
“Not only will The Q deliver the nation’s premier racing facility, we are excited to open our doors to South East Queensland as a multi-use asset that the whole community can enjoy.
“Our goal is to present an unforgettable experience for all attendees visiting The Q, with on-track action aplenty alongside top-tier entertainment and dining that will set the complex apart from anything we have in Australia.”
QGOLD evening will expand in 2025, with two feature meetings now on the programme to open the Winter Carnival on May 17 and 22.
Restricted to greyhounds born and bred in Queensland, the QGOLD meeting will see more than $230,000 in prize money on offer over eight races.
Finally, the $107,825 Super Stayers Invitational will maintain its Group 2 status, whilst attracting some of the best long-distance chasers from across the nation to The Q.
To be nominated for an event at The Q, a greyhound must have successfully trialled out of the starting boxes at the specific track it is to be nominated for. For further details, please contact RQ or the QGRC.
In addition, greyhounds must have competed in a race at Q2 Parklands prior to the close of nominations to be eligible to contest the Brisbane Cup heats on Thursday, June 26.
Click here to read more about the 2025 Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival.
