Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges | Horse Racing Free Tips

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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IFHA: Saudi Cup Upgraded To Group 1 Status

The Executive Council of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) met on Oct. 4, 2021 at the offices of France Galop and via Zoom. The meeting was led by new IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, who succeeded Louis Romanet, longtime Chairman of the Federation. Romanet attended the meeting as Chairman Emeritus.

The meeting also marked the commencement of the terms for Jim Gagliano, Brian Kavanagh, Masayuki Goto, and Horacio Esposito as Vice-Chairs of the IFHA. The Chair and Vice-Chairs of the Federation will serve a three-year mandate from 2021 to 2024.

Further information about the newly elected Chair and Vice-Chairs can be found at https://ifhaonline.org/Default.asp?section=Resources&area=0&story=1090.

Appointments to the Executive Council were approved for Bruce Sherwin, Director of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, and Dr Paull Khan, Secretary-General of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF), as rotating members representing “developing racing countries”. Sherwin was nominated by the Asian Racing Federation, and Khan by the EMHF, each appointed for a 3-year-term.

Additionally, the Executive Council endorsed the chair and nominations to its Finance Committee and appointed a chair to its Governance Committee. A Commercial and Marketing Committee was formed and its chair selected. And finally, the Executive Council approved the selection of key positions for its global Executive Office.

The Finance Committee's primary objectives are to provide practical advice and assistance in relation to the IFHA's budgeting processes and decisions; financial risk management; internal financial control systems and reporting; external reporting and external audit processes; and general oversight in relation to the financial activities of the IFHA. Jim Lawson, Woodbine Entertainment Group, will chair the Finance Committee. Oscar Bertoletti, CEO of OSAF; Olivier Delloye, CEO of France Galop; Suzanne Eade, Chief Executive for Horse Racing Ireland; and Greg Nichols, Director of Racing Victoria, constitute this committee.

The Governance Committee, to be chaired by BHA Chief Executive Julie Harrington, is tasked with providing the IFHA Executive Council with advice and recommendations in relation to governance matters related to the IFHA and to generally assist the IFHA to maintain good governance practices. Full appointments to the Governance Committees will be announced in December 2021.

A new Committee was established to focus on Commercial and Marketing matters. This Committee will be chaired by Olivier Delloye, with appointments to the committee to be confirmed in due course.

The Executive Council approved the appointment of an Executive Director and three directors to its global Executive Office. Andrew Harding will continue to lead the Executive Office as the Federation's Executive Director. Andrew Chesser, Manager of Registration Services for The Jockey Club (USA) and previously Secretary General for the IFHA; James Ogilvy, Executive Manager, International and Racing Regulation at The Hong Kong Jockey Club and previously Technical Advisor for the IFHA; and Henri Pouret, Managing Director, Racing Operations for France Galop, were all named Directors of the IFHA global Executive Office.

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Promoted to Part II of the International Cataloguing Standards Book

At the Executive Council meeting, it was also shared that the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee (IRPAC) approved the promotion of Bahrain from Part III to Part II of the ICS Book and the promotion of the Bahrain International Trophy to International Group 3 status in Part I (under the Other Races section). Three races will be included in Part II of the ICS Book and receive international Listed status section). The promotions were ratified by the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers (SITA).

BAHRAIN

Races from Bahrain will be presented as follows in the ICS Book:

In Part I under Other Races

Bahrain International Trophy G3

In Part II

Al Methaq Cup
His Majesty the King's Cup
His Royal Crown Prince Cup

In addition, IRPAC approved promotion of Saudi Arabia from Part III to Part II of the ICS Book and the promotion of six races to International Group Status in Part I (under the Other Races section).

SAUDI ARABIA

Races from Saudi Arabia will be presented as follows in the ICS Book:

In Part I under Other Races

Saudi Cup G1
Neom Turf Cup G3
Saudi Derby G3
STC 1,351 Turf Sprint G3
Riyadh Dirt Sprint G3
Red Sea Turf G3

Saudi Arabia will be included in the ICS book as a Part II country. There are currently no races of Listed status for Saudi Arabia.

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Saudi Cup Promoted to Group 1 Status

Saudi Arabia's $20-million Saudi Cup has been awarded Group 1 status beginning in 2022 it was announced during Monday's virtual meeting of the Executive Council of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).

The move follows the promotion of both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain from Part III to Part II of the ICS Book by the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee (IRPAC). In addition, the Neom Turf Cup, Saudi Derby, STC 1,351 Turf Sprint, Riyadh Dirt Sprint and Red Sea Turf, as well as Bahrain's Bahrain International Trophy have all gained Group 3 status. A trio of races are now considered international listed races-the Al Methaq Cup, His Majesty the King's Cup and His Royal Crown Prince Cup-all in Bahrain. The Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers (SITA) approved the measures.

Also, during the meeting led by IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, terms began for Jim Gagliano, Brian Kavanagh, Masayuki Goto, and Horacio Esposito as Vice-Chairs of the IFHA. The Chair and Vice-Chairs of the Federation will serve a three-year mandate from 2021 to 2024. Both Bruce Sherwin, Director of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and Dr. Paull Khan, Secretary-General of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF) were appointed to the IFHA Executive Council.

That body also endorsed the chair and nominations to the IFHA Finance Committee, which will be chaired by Jim Lawson of Woodbine Entertainment Group. Oscar Bertoletti, CEO of OSAF; Olivier Delloye, CEO of France Galop; Suzanne Eade, Chief Executive for Horse Racing Ireland; and Greg Nichols, Director of Racing Australia, constitute the Finance Committee. The Governance Committee Chair will be BHA Chief Executive Julie Harrington. A new Commercial and Marketing Committee was formed, with Olivier Delloye to serve as its chair.

The Executive Council also approved the selection of key positions for its global Executive Office, and Andrew Harding will continue to lead the Executive Office as the Federation's Executive Director. Andrew Chesser, Manager of Registration Services for The Jockey Club (USA) and previously Secretary General for the IFHA; James Ogilvy, Executive Manager, International and Racing Regulation at The Hong Kong Jockey Club and previously Technical Advisor for the IFHA; and Henri Pouret, Managing Director, Racing Operations for France Galop, were all named Directors of the IFHA global Executive Office. For more information on these appointments, please visit the IFHA website.

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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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