Dale Cartwright receives OAM

Former Racing Queensland code director Dale Cartwright has been recognised in the King's Birthday 2025 Honours List for his services to greyhound racing.

Having completed a near 10-year term on the RQ Board in April, Mr Cartwright, who has spent the past two decades entrenched in the greyhound code, was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM).

Just days after the successful opening of The Q, which saw a blockbuster crowd on hand to witness the first Group 1 staged at the new world-class facility near Ipswich, Mr Cartwright said he was chuffed by the messages of support he has received since being awarded an OAM on the Honours List.

“Well, I'm very surprised and very humbled,” Mr Cartwright said.

“I've never done it for any recognition…it's just been a passion.”

Almost two decades ago, Mr Cartwright first dipped his toes into a larger greyhound role when he became a sponsor of BrisGreys.

By 2008, he had agreed to join the BrisGreys Board before taking on the Vice President’s role in 2011 before succeeding to President from 2013 to 2016.

He would eventually exit that role to become the greyhound director at RQ before concluding his term just a month ago.

Over the journey, Mr Cartwright saw some phenomenal greyhounds, headlined by Fernando Bale, Cyndie’s Magic and Jay Is Jay. 

“The best dog that I ever saw was Fernando Bale,” he said.

“I saw him at Wentworth Park and he was just an immaculate looking animal.

“My favourite greyhound over the years was Cyndie's Magic because her racing (style) was so exciting. She could be in the 700m one day and she could be in the 520m or 600m at Albion Park. It was just exciting, you know, every time she came out, she was always exciting. 

“And one of the biggest highlights was being at Wentworth Park when Jay Is Jay won the Million Dollar Chase. I thought that was brilliant for Queensland…I'm glad that I was there that night for Jay Is Jay when he won the million-dollar race.”

Having also sat on the Greyhound Australasia Board, including a stint as Deputy Chair, Mr Cartwright’s accomplishments during his time at RQ included:

• Increasing returns to participants from $164 million in 2016/17 to $370 million in 2023/24; 
• The delivery and progress of a wide range of infrastructure projects, headlined by The Q; and 
• A dynamic and enhanced racing calendar with marquee features including the $1 million Brisbane Cup, highly popular Origin Greyhound Series and the Gold Bullion.

“It’s wonderful that Dale’s dedication and service to the Queensland racing industry has been recognised in this manner,” RQ Chair Steve Wilson AM said.

“Over the past decade, his insight and knowledge helped guide the industry through some of the most difficult and turbulent circumstances, including the critical and careful management needed during the COVID-19 pandemic which has seen the racing industry emerge stronger and more united. 

“Serving as Deputy Chair of Greyhounds Australasia was testament to the regard in which he was held not just here in Queensland but across the nation.

“He thoroughly deserves his OAM.”

Racing Queensland congratulates Dale Cartwright on his Order of Australia Medal.