The Executive Council of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) met on 4 October 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 Australia, 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.
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
• 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).
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