SAQ KICKS-OFF ITS 20-YEAR CELEBRATIONS WITH A BANG!
The Standardbred Association Queensland Inc (SAQ) was founded in 1998 and was primarily established as the state’s Standardbred Breed Society. It became evident that there was a shortfall in opportunities for Standardbreds retiring from racing, with a large majority of them finding themselves in slaughter yards.
In 2002, the SAQ started their Adoption and Rehoming Program, which was the first Not-for-Profit Association in Queensland to focus specifically on retraining and rehoming retired racehorses.
Over the past 16 years, the program has steadily grown - along with the racing industry’s awareness of the importance of retirement options for its retired athletes.
In recent years, SAQ has rehomed between 80 - 120 horses each year on average - and we have just rehomed our 1,000th Standardbred through our program in February!
NEW ADDITION TO THE SAQ FAMILY
The SAQ is also excited to announce that Mr Scott Buchholz MP, will be the SAQ’s Patron and number one ticket holder during its 20 Year Anniversary in 2018.
Buchholz is the Federal Member for Wright, which includes the Lockyer Valley and Gatton - where the SAQ State Harness and Hacking Championships will be held in August again this year.
Mr Buchholz said, “I am honoured to be named as SAQ’s Patron and number one ticket holder during its 20 Year Anniversary and I have long admired the wonderful work that the SAQ has done over many years, particularly through the SAQ Adoption and Rehoming Program”.
SAQ President, Owanna Francisca, said Mr Buchholz would be a high-profile Patron for the SAQ and an ideal number one ticket holder.
“Scott will be a wonderful advocate for the SAQ and our programs in our 20th year and we look forward to having him as an important member of the SAQ family,” said Francisca.
SAQ’S REHOMING AND ADOPTION PROGRAM
The SAQ currently has members wanting to adopt a Standardbred retired from racing as part of our long-established Rehoming and Adoption Program.
Please contact Melissa Bell on 0412 973 102 or at horseplacement@saq.com.au for further information or to discuss any horses you may have available for adoption.
UPCOMING SAQ EVENTS IN MAY
- MAY 5: SAQ Ridden Display – Marburg Races
- MAY 12: SAQ Track to Hack Qualifier/National High Points – Marburg Show
- MAY 20: SAQ Track to Hack Qualifier – Ipswich Show
- MAY 20: SAQ Cattle Clinic – JR Toogoolawah
