The Queensland Constellations will once again welcome the top performers from around the country this winter, with the carnival to be headlined by Australia’s premier harness racing series, the Ladbrokes Inter Dominion.
Staged from June 20 to July 18 at Albion Park, Redcliffe and Marburg, more than $4 million in prize money and bonuses will go on the line throughout four action-packed weeks of harness racing, including 15 Group races – eight of which are Group 1 events.
The Inter Dominion will again take its place as the Constellations’ crowning jewel, with $1 million going on the line in the Pacing Championship Final, along with $500,000 for the final of the Trotting Championship.
The final night of the Constellations will again offer more than $2 million in stakes and five unforgettable Group 1 races, with the Inter Dominion Finals to be joined by the Queensland Derby, Queensland Oaks and The Golden Girl.
Additionally, the return of Group 1 feature the Yabby Dam Farms The Great Square to the Queensland Constellations will provide another go-to destination for the best trotters from across the nation during the winter.
The carnival’s feature racing gets underway at the Peninsula on Saturday, June 20, for the Group 2 Redcliffe Gold Cup and Group 3 events the Redcliffe Derby and Redcliffe Oaks.
The following day, Marburg hosts their annual The Western Star meeting, before the action heads to Albion Park on Saturday, June 27 for The Queensland Sun, again serving as Queensland’s ticket into the $300,000 The Rising Sun.
“There has never been a better time to be involved in Queensland harness racing,” Racing Minister Tim Mander said.
“The Crisafulli Government listened to the Queensland harness racing industry and now we are delivering.
“We have committed to the future of harness racing at Albion Park, will deliver a new elite training and racing facility at Marburg, and reinstate the sport at Toowoomba.
“I look forward to welcoming participants and fans across Australasia for the Queensland Constellations and the iconic Inter Dominion Series.”
A red-hot fortnight of racing will then get underway, starting with The Rising Sun night on July 4 that will include the heats for both the Inter Dominion pacers and trotters, the return of The Great Square and the Group 3 Wayne Wilson Memorial Paleface Adios Classic.
The $300,000 Group 1 The Rising Sun will once again hold an additional $50,000 bonus for a three-year-old winner, as well as a $25,000 bonus if a 3YO runs second or third.
There will be further added incentive for the winner of The Rising Sun should they be a four-year-old, progressing straight through to the Inter Dominion Pacing Final.
Additionally, the winner of The Great Square can also book their spot into the Inter Dominion Trotting Final, provided they are a 4YO and run the following week in the 3YO & 4YO Trotting feature on Friday, July 10.
Excitingly, invitations have already been extended to, and accepted by, Group 1 winners Captains Mistress to run in The Rising Sun, along with Tracy The Jet for The Great Square.
The Constellations’ penultimate night on Saturday, July 11 includes the second round of Inter Dominion heats and the Group 1 slot race, the Benstud Protostar, being run exclusively for 2YO pacers.
“With eight Group 1s and over $4 million in prize money on offer, the Constellations continues to solidify its status as one of the nation’s premier and most lucrative harness racing carnivals,” RQ Acting CEO Lachlan Murray said.
“The return of the Inter Dominion for its second year during the Constellations will take the event to a new level in 2026, with the eyes of the harness racing world to be firmly on the Sunshine State.
“Harness racing is enjoying a golden age of standardbreds at present, with the likes of Leap To Fame, Kingman, The Janitor, Swayzee, Don Hugo, Keayang Zahara and Gus all looking set to play a part throughout the Constellations.”
Finally, the closing night of the winter carnival on July 18 will see the Queensland Derby and Queensland Oaks run for $150,000 each, as well as the Inter Dominion Grand Finals.
In 2026, both Inter Dominion Finals will be run over the new distances of 2680m at Albion Park, in line with industry feedback.
“It is both a privilege and an honour to be the host club for the ID26 carnival for the second year in a row,” Albion Park Harness Racing Club Chairman Greg Mitchell said.
“We have continued to innovate and offer the patron and participant the most competitive racing and best experience on track.
“We’re excited to have finished the $3 million makeover of the facility and we look forward to welcoming patrons on-course to enjoy some of our Queensland hospitality.”
Click here to see the full program for the 2026 Queensland Constellations.
