IFHA Chairman Louis Romanet welcomes the decision: «…with Christopher Foster, we lose a great deal of experience and authority in the racing sector, but with the appointment of Brian Kavanagh, we found a strong successor. He will have a challenge to represent a racing region whose member countries are very diverse in terms of racing culture and economy. »

Brian Kavanagh expressed his delight with the appointment: «It is a great honor to be appointed as Vice-Chairman of this unique and prestigious international organization. Together with the other members of the Executive Council, I will focus in the coming year on how the Federation can maximize its value to members in all the areas in which we are active, racing and business related. »

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The IFHA is the single representative body for the global racing industry with members from over 50 countries, including all the main racing nations. It was created in 1993 to harmonize the rules of member countries regarding breeding and racing in order to maintain the integrity of each, to protect the welfare of industry participants both human and equine and to promote fair trade in the racing and betting product. The Executive Council is responsible for management and strategy and its members represent the three main racing regions in the world. For Europe, members are Louis Romanet of France Galop, Nic Coward of the BHA, Brian Kavanagh of HRI and Denis Egan of the Irish Turf Club. The Americas are represented by Alan Marzelli of the US Jockey Club, Alexander Waldrop of NTRA, David Willmot of Woodbine and Fernando José Peña of OSAF. Asia is represented by Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Cyrus Poonawalla and Isamu Takizawa, each representing the Asian racing Federation.