The open forum of the 58th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), will be available on the IFHA’s website (ifhaonline.org) beginning at approximately 10:30 CEST (GMT+1) on Monday 7 October via live stream. Additionally, a replay of the Conference will be posted in the days following the event.
This year’s Conference will have a particular focus on racing integrity, which is a key strategic priority of the IFHA. The Conference programme coincides with the highly anticipated release of the IFHA Racing Integrity Handbook, the first of its kind in the sport. IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges will deliver the Conference’s opening and closing remarks.
Sports television presenter Rishi Persad will serve as the moderator for the Conference, which will convene key integrity leaders across racing and other major sports. Notably, Frank Clarke, Director of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) and Former Chief Justice of Ireland, will deliver the keynote speech regarding the need for robust systems that protect against legal challenges and issues.
Other esteemed speakers from outside of racing include Susan Ahern, Arbitrator at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and former Head of Legal and Legislative Affairs at World Rugby; Brett Clothier, Head of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU); Jenni Kennedy, Senior Director of Investigations at the International Tennis Integrity Agency; and Andrew Adams, Partner at international law firm Steptoe.
They will be joined by integrity leaders within racing including Andrew Harding, Executive Director of the IFHA; Marc Van Gestel, Chief Stipendiary Steward at The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC); Jamie Stier, Executive General Manager Integrity Services at Racing Victoria; Cliodhna Guy, Head of Governance and Legal of the IHRB; Brant Dunshea, Chief Regulatory Officer at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA); and Martin Purbrick, Chair of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) Council on Anti-illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime.
The speakers will deliver presentations on various important matters relating to integrity in racing and other sports as well as participate in panel discussions during the day-long programme.
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 IFHA. The first meeting had 14 attendees from nine countries, while last year’s Conference convened delegates from more than 40 different countries with a number of other racing executives and media members also in attendance. The JRA became the official partner of the Conference beginning in 2021.
About IFHA
The IFHA is a federation of more than 60 racing authorities from different countries and regions in the world. It 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
- 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
- Harmonisation of racing rules
- Certification of IFHA reference laboratories
- 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 (WOAH).
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