THE Golden Greys Summer Carnival is set to heat up The Q for the first time.
With more than $2.1 million in stakes up for grabs, the Golden Greys is expected to attract some of the nation’s premier chasers for seven feature race nights, headlined by the $375,000 Group 1 Gold Bullion.
In the lead up to Christmas, the QGOLD feature night on December 13 will officially open the Summer Carnival, with eight races exclusively for Queensland-bred greyhounds.
More than $200,000 in stakes up for grabs.
The 2026 season will start with the running of the Group 2 Queensland Derby and the Bogie Leigh Futurity – both worth $112,500 – on January 8, followed one week later by the $150,000 Group 1 Golden Sands.
Acting Racing Queensland CEO Lachlan Murray said the Golden Greys has cemented its status as the premier summer carnival nation-wide.
“The Golden Greys Summer Racing Carnival has established itself as the must-race destination from December to February, and in 2026 is more exciting than ever being run at The Q for the first time,” Murray said.
“We are excited to kick off this year’s Golden Greys by showcasing our local talent through the QGOLD evening.
“Headlined by our Group 1 events the Golden Sands and Gold Bullion, the carnival remains attractive to the nation’s best sprinters, middle distance types and stayers, and we look forward to welcoming the best dogs and trainers from all over the country to Queensland this summer.”
The Group 2 Golden Ticket on January 22 is the ideal lead-up to the Gold Bullion, with the winner receiving automatic entry into the $375,000 Final a fortnight later.
Heats of the $100,000 event will again be conducted as four-dog shootout heats, with two-dog match races in the Final to determine the winner by fastest time.
The Group 1 Gold Bullion on February 5 will take its place as the crowning jewel of the Golden Greys, with an honour board that includes champions of the sport like Sennachie, Jungle Deuce and last year’s winner, Good Odds Cobber.
The Summer Carnival’s finale evening will also feature the Group 1 $150,000 Gold Cup for stayers.
For the first time, Australia’s richest maiden greyhound race – the Group 3 Vince Curry Memorial – will join the Summer Carnival’s headline meeting, with $112,500 on offer for the winner.
“The Golden Greys Summer Carnival is a great opportunity to showcase high quality feature racing at The Q,” Queensland Greyhound Racing Club CEO Ashley Baker said.
“It’s the first time this prestigious carnival is being run at The Q and is an amazing opportunity for participants to share in $2.1 million in prize money across seven weeks of racing.
“The Q is quickly establishing itself as a world-class racing venue, and the Golden Greys will further strengthen its place at the forefront of our industry.”
A $10,000 prize money bonus will again be on offer for any greyhound that places first, second or third in the final of a Summer Carnival lead-up event, and subsequently wins a heat of either the Gold Bullion or Gold Cup.