international conference of horseracing authorities

Racing’s Future In The Spotlight During Virtual IFHA Conference

Thursday featured the launch of the 55th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). Held virtually for the second consecutive year, the 2021 Conference examines global racing's evolution and future challenges. The Japan Racing Association (JRA) is the official partner of this year's Conference.

Video of the International Conference of Horseracing Authorities is available on the IFHA's website and social media platforms. Podcasts of the speakers are also available.

The keynote speech was given by incoming IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, who was recently elected as the new head of the Federation following Louis Romanet's retirement. Following his speech, the Conference featured panels on digitalization and media; equine welfare; and climate change and sustainability. The Conference concluded with a tribute to Romanet, who is retiring after 27 years as Chairman and who was appointed to the honorary position of Chairman Emeritus effective Oct. 4, 2021.

“The 55th International Conference of the IFHA comes at a most significant time for our sport and the world,” said Engelbrecht-Bresges. “We face major macro challenges arising from the pandemic and climate change. More than ever, we must work together and harness the wealth of talent and expertise within our membership to not only face these challenges, but ensure that our sport thrives in the short, medium, and long term.

“This Conference gives us the opportunity to look forward at some key parts of the IFHA's strategy for the future. We are fortunate to have world-class speakers sharing their insights regarding digitalization and media, equine welfare, climate change and sustainability.”

Guest speakers at this year's Conference included Michael Mulvihill, executive vice president, head of strategy and analytics at FOX Sports; Jamie Stier, chair of the IFHA Horse Welfare Committee and Racing Victoria's executive general manager, integrity services; Di Arbuthnot, the chief executive for Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) and chair of the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR); and Allen Hershkowitz, a founding director and chairman of Sport and Sustainability International and environmental science advisor to the New York Yankees. Respected presenter Rishi Persad returned this year to serve as moderator.

The first International Conference of Horseracing Authorities was organised and hosted by the Société d'Encouragement in Paris, France, on October 9, 1967. Since 1994, the annual conference has been organised by the IFHA at France Galop. In 2019, the Conference convened delegates from more than 50 different countries with a number of other racing executives and media members in attendance. Historically held the day after the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), the Conference transitioned to a virtual format in 2020 as the result of COVID-19.

About IFHA

The IFHA is the global leader for the international sport of Thoroughbred racing, seeking to promote all facets of the worldwide sport; protect the welfare of the equine and human athlete; and protect and grow its global social and economic significance for current and future generations.

Major areas of the IFHA's activities include:

Making and amending the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering (the IABRW)
Policy development relating to welfare and safety of horses and riders
International Race Planning and Grading (“black type”)
World Rankings
The fight against Equine Prohibited Substances and Practices
Harmonization of Racing Rules
Certification of IFHA Reference Labs
Promoting commercial development of the racing industry globally

The IFHA is a foundation member with Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) of the International Horse Sports Confederation and is affiliated to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

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Virtual IFHA Conference Looks to Future of Racing

The 2021 International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organised by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), will be held virtually for the second year in a row on Oct. 4.

This year's focus will be on global racing's evolution and future challenges, with the conference digitally released on Oct. 7. New IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges will give the keynote speech, as well as several panel discussions. Some of the topics to be covered in this year's conference include: digitalisation and media; equine welfare; and climate change and sustainability. Rishi Persad will return as a moderator. FOX Sports' Executive Vice President, Head of Strategy and Analytics Michael Mulvihill will discuss digitalisation and media, Racing Victoria Executive Manager Integrity Services Jamie Stier, who also serves as the Chair of the IFHA Horse Welfare Committee, and Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Chief Executive Di Arbuthnot, who also chairs the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) will speak on equine welfare. Allen Hershkowitz, a Founding Director and Chairman of Sport and Sustainability International, as well as the Environmental Science Advisor to the New York Yankees, will address the threat of climate change.

“Under Louis Romanet's leadership, the Federation has made significant progress in achieving its mission as a vehicle for harnessing our collective efforts for the benefit of the future development and prosperity of Thoroughbred racing,” said Engelbrecht-Bresges. “It is a privilege to commence my term as the second Chair in the Federation's history, and I am energised at the prospect of working with our members and stakeholders to build on the Federation's sound foundations.”

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Virtual IFHA Conference Looks Toward Racing’s Future

The 55th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), is scheduled to be held virtually for the second consecutive year, with a focus on global racing's evolution and future challenges.

Historically held in Paris, France, the day after the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), this year's conference will be released digitally on Thursday, Oct. 7.

The conference will feature a keynote speech given by incoming IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, who was recently elected as the new leader of the Federation following Louis Romanet's retirement, as well as several panel discussions.

“Under Louis Romanet's leadership, the Federation has made significant progress in achieving its mission as a vehicle for harnessing our collective efforts for the benefit of the future development and prosperity of Thoroughbred racing,” said Engelbrecht-Bresges. “It is a privilege to commence my term as the second Chair in the Federation's history, and I am energized at the prospect of working with our members and stakeholders to build on the Federation's sound foundations.”

Beyond the pandemic, racing faces further threats and challenges which will need to be tackled head-on in order for the sport to continue to grow and thrive, and the Conference's guest speakers will address several of those issues. Topics to be covered include digitalization and media; equine welfare; and climate change and sustainability. Respected presenter Rishi Persad returns again this year to serve as moderator.

The segment on digitalization and media will examine how racing must adapt and integrate new technologies and approaches to connect with the next generation of fans. FOX Sports's Executive Vice President, Head of Strategy and Analytics, Michael Mulvihill will discuss his experience in the field. Mulvihill is responsible for scheduling, strategic planning, Nielsen ratings analysis, and advertising sales and communications support within FOX Sports and helped facilitate the successful partnership between his organization and the New York Racing Association (NYRA).

Equine welfare will also take the spotlight during the Conference, with a particular focus on the need for comprehensive traceability as well as retirement systems and pathways. Jamie Stier and Di Arbuthnot will converse on the progress of equine welfare in these areas around the world. Stier serves as Racing Victoria's executive manager, integrity services, and in this role, he is responsible for equine welfare, veterinary services, stewarding, investigations and compliance, licensing, and prosecution of cases for integrity services. He was appointed Chair of the IFHA Horse Welfare Committee in 2015. Arbuthnot is the chief executive for Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), Great Britain's official charity concerning the welfare of retired racehorses. She also is the Chair of the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) and has been instrumental in the formation of the forum in order to share best practices globally.

Additionally, the threat posed by climate change to all industries, including racing and sport, and the expected opportunities and challenges to racing and breeding in achieving net zero emission will be featured. Allen Hershkowitz will present information on climate change and the importance of sustainability, and then he will discuss his presentation with Persad. A Founding Director and Chairman of Sport and Sustainability International, Hershkowitz is currently Environmental Science Advisor to the New York Yankees, the first role of its kind in professional sports.

The videos from the International Conference of Horseracing Authorities will be posted on the IFHA's website and social media platforms.

The first International Conference of Horseracing Authorities was organized and hosted by the Société d'Encouragement in Paris, France, on October 9, 1967. Since 1994, the annual conference has been organized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities at France Galop. In 2019, the Conference convened delegates from more than 50 different countries with a number of other racing executives and media members in attendance. In 2020, it transitioned to a virtual format as the result of COVID-19, and in January, it was announced that the Japan Racing Association (JRA) has become the official partner of this year's Conference.

About IFHA

Major areas of the IFHA's activities include

Making and amending the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering (the IABRW)
Policy development relating to welfare and safety of horses and riders
International Race Planning and Grading (“black type”)
World Rankings
The fight against Equine Prohibited Substances and Practices
Harmonization of Racing Rules
Certification of IFHA Reference Labs
Fostering commercial development of the racing industry globally

The IFHA is a foundation member with Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) of the International Horse Sports Confederation and is affiliated to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

The post Virtual IFHA Conference Looks Toward Racing’s Future appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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JRA Named Official Partner of the IFHA Conference

The Japan Racing Association (JRA) is the new official partner of the 55th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities. The conference, which is normally held in October, is organised by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). The JRA will promote Japanese racing on the www.ifhaonline.org and social media channels, while the partnership is also expected to further development of international horse racing and international cooperation.

“We are pleased to have the JRA become our partner for the Federation’s signature conference,” said IFHA Chairman Louis Romanet. “Our conference, which traditionally is held in Paris, was virtual in 2020 due to COVID-19, but we are hopeful that it will be able to return to its traditional format this year.”

“The JRA is delighted to be the partner of the International Conference of Horseracing Authorities,” said JRA President and CEO Masayuki Goto. “For more than 50 years, the International Horse Racing Conference has played a major role in the development of the global horse racing industry and enables delegates from all over the world, as well as a number of other racing executives, to exchange information, provide mutual assistance and promote joint research. By becoming a partner of the historical IFHA Conference, JRA hopes to contribute to the further development of international horse racing.”

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