Queensland's chief stipe to stay on

Queensland's chief steward Allan Reardon has agreed to extend his contract by at least 12 months.

It had been widely speculated Reardon would retire at the end of the 2017 winter carnival.

However, Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner Ross Barnett said Reardon had agreed to stay on in his role for at least another year.

"There had been some industry speculation that Allan may retire, but I am pleased to announce that I have asked Allan to stay on in his role and he has accepted," Barnett said..

"Allan's 40 years of stewarding experience is invaluable to the Commission and as a well-known face within the industry, Allan's reputation is unsurpassed."

Reardon said he was happy to stay on for another 12 months.

"I appreciate the offer to continue. As long as I say healthy I'll do it, otherwise when my contract was finished, I would have walked away and that would have been the end of me for racing, but I'm glad he made the offer," Reardon said.