The Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association is ensuring one of Queensland’s leading industries isn’t a forgotten victim of the floods.

The TBQA launched its own Flood Appeal on New Year’s Eve, targeting the race horse industry – breeders and trainers – to ensure its continuation despite the devastating floods.

“We look at the impact in terms of families, infrastructure and property,” TBQA President Basil Nolan said.  “But the racing industry injects millions of dollars into our economy and the grass roots of that industry is also severely affected by these floods, with valuable horses left virtually homeless, too.”

Initially, the TBQA donated $5,000 worth of hay and chaff to Central Queensland Breeders and then rallied with members to provide free agistment to stranded horses from the Central Queensland region.

“The response has been overwhelming,” Nolan said.  “Within 48 hours we were able to place almost 100 horses.  Now we just have to wait for the floods to subside so we can transport the horses from the Central region to the South West.”

Twenty horses were able to be moved on the weekend prior to the roads being cut and they are currently based at Raheen Stud at Warwick and Craiglea Stud on the Sunshine Coast.