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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Melbourne Cup: Anthony Van Dyke Euthanized, Historic Whip Fine Issued

Tuesday's Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse, “the race that stops the nation,” was marred by tragedy as one of the pre-race favorites, Anthony Van Dyck, broke down and had to be euthanized. The 2019 winner of the G1 Investec Derby was pulled up turning into the home straight, and was  diagnosed with a fractured fetlock.

“It is with sadness that we confirm that Anthony Van Dyck had to be humanely euthanized after sustaining a fractured fetlock during the running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington,” said Racing Victoria's (RV) Executive General Manager – Integrity Services, Jamie Stier. “The horse received immediate veterinary care, however he was unable to be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained.

“Our sympathies are extended to the owners of Anthony Van Dyck, trainer Aidan O'Brien and all his staff who cared for the horse and are greatly saddened by their loss.”

Stier explained that a fatality report will now be prepared by the RV Integrity Services team as is standard practice.

“The fatality report gives consideration to the circumstances of the incident and any potential learnings to assist in the prevention of similar injuries in the future,” Stier explained. “The report will include the findings of a post-mortem which will now be conducted by the University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinic and we expect it will be several weeks before we have a completed report for consideration.”

Anthony Van Dyck's jockey, Hugh Bowman, was uninjured in the incident.

Tuesday's fatality marks the seventh horse to die after the Melbourne Cup since 2013.

The 2020 Melbourne Cup was contested without fans in attendance due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. The race saw a second victor from the barn of young trainer Joseph O'Brien, as Twilight Payment led all the way under jockey Jye McNeil. O'Brien won his first Cup in 2017 with Rekindling.

The runner-up, Tiger Moth, is trained by Joseph O'Brien's father, Aidan O'Brien.

Tiger Moth was ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, who was assigned one of the largest fines for whip use in Australian racing history, per The Guardian. Race stewards fined McEvoy AUS$50,000 (about US$36,000) and suspended him for 13 meetings for using his whip 13 times before the 100-meter mark, and 21 times overall. Jockeys are allowed to use the whip no more than five times before the 100-meter point.

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