SYDNEY, AUS—AUGUST 27, 2016—According to an article by Adam Pengilly, published on Syndey Morning Herald website smh.com.au, bookmakers in Australia will explore offering betting on Quarter Horse racing, set to be legalized in Queensland, in an attempt to make up for revenue losses when a ban on North South Wales greyhound racing takes effect on July 1, 2017.

Legislation would open up a new betting product for Australian betters, who will be able to wager on the horse racing where events run over distances spanning 400 to 800 meters.

The Australian Quarter Horse Racing Development has earmarked Queensland tracks at Gympie and Warwick for its start-up venture if it gets the final tick of approval from the state's government. It believes it could be racing as early as January next year.

Some Australian bookmakers have internally discussed the prospect of betting on quarter horse racing – and most said they would consider promoting the product if and when it begins.

Ladbrokes has begun streaming American Quarter Horse races on its platforms.

"If we were comfortable from a legal and ethical perspective, we're absolutely interested in the product and how we could offer it to our customers," a Ladbrokes spokesperson said.

The Australian Quarter Horse Racing Development estimates it has a pool of 400 horses to source from for its initial meetings before breeders concentrate their efforts on expanding local programs. Unlike the Thoroughbred industry, Australian Quarter Horse breeders can use artificial insemination, meaning they can source frozen semen – or straws – from top American stallions to influence local bloodlines.

"We're obviously working towards more online betting and there is market share in Australia," Australian Quarter Horse Racing Development executive director John Cotter said. "The obvious [global appeal] is Asia time zone-wise and Ladbrokes has started streaming quarter horse racing from the States into Australia.

A proposed $60 million project for Quarter Horse racing was announced in 2014 on the premise of also creating a host of employment and business opportunities in the region, however it has stalled on several occasions. Renewed efforts to get the unique style of racing off the ground have increased in recent months.

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