Karen M Caldwell 24th International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians 2026

Karen M Caldwell

Karen is currently the EGM Veterinary Services and Animal Welfare at Racing Queensland - the controlling body for thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing in Queensland After completing her veterinary training at the University of Queensland in 1999, Karen spent more than a decade in clinical veterinary practice in Australia and the UK, before taking up a role as a regulatory veterinarian in Queensland in 2011. Before joining Racing Queensland in 2022, Karen held roles as Manager of Veterinary Services at the Racing Science Centre, and Principal Veterinary Officer at the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission. Karen has broad-based expertise in racing integrity, administration, and racing animal welfare, having worked as an equine raceday veterinarian, Greyhound Adoption Program veterinarian, in the development of strategy, policy and rules, as well as representing Queensland on the national veterinary and welfare committees of Racing Australia, Harness Racing Australia and Greyhounds Australasia. Karen was the primary veterinary advisor to racing stewards and legal counsel engaged in the prosecution of anti-doping matters in Queensland for a number of years, which led to her completing a law degree part-time, graduating in 2018. Karen has presented on anti-doping topics in a variety of forums, lectures veterinary students at the University of Queensland on racing integrity and medication control, and has contributed to publications in various areas of racing regulatory importance, including the metabolism of prohibited substances in racing animals. An experienced manager in both the public and private sector, Karen has worked in governance roles in both racing and agriculture, and has experience in quality assurance and the development of industry standards, and is passionate about animal welfare and its role in ensuring the sustainability of the racing industry.