International Federation unveils Racing Integrity Handbook

“It is the first of its kind in horse racing, and indeed the most comprehensive such document produced for any sport,” said IFHA Executive Director Andrew Harding.

“The release of the Racing Integrity Handbook is a major achievement for the IFHA and its commitment to upholding integrity in our sport, and can be found on the IFHA website.”

“We expect it to be a valuable resource for all jurisdictions, and are grateful for the collective efforts of 25-plus global regulators and integrity experts that directly contributed to the publishing.”

Unveiled at the 58th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities in Paris, France at Saint-Cloud Racecourse on 7 October, several other integrity-related developments were announced.

In releasing the Racing Integrity Handbook, and creating the IFHA Council on Anti-illegal Betting and Related Crimes, it was the unity of bodies transferring from the Asian Racing Federation.

“The Council has become an established sports integrity think tank, and its impact, purpose and objectives are now global in nature,” said Martin Purbrick, Chair of the Council.

“On behalf of the Council, I would like to thank the IFHA and ARF for their support of our work, and look forward to contributing to the integrity objectives of the IFHA, horse racing, and sport.”

The focus of this year’s Conference was upholding racing integrity, a key strategic priority of the IFHA, as “Integrity is the foundation on which our sport is built and protecting integrity is essential.”

In delivering the Conferences opening and closing remarks the IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges delivered the Conference’s highlights “for the credibility and popularity of our sport.”

“We have to provide a level-playing field so our participants feel comfortable to compete, and without the standards of integrity we lose the trust and confidence of customers and stakeholders.”

“This place’s the existence of our industry at stake, and with recent events showing how pervasive integrity threats are nowadays, racing must continue to lead the way in protecting integrity.”

Over 150 delegates from some 40 different countries heard from key integrity leaders from racing and other major sports including a number of live presentations and panel discussions.

The programme examined key integrity threats and learnings from previous cases in-order to demonstrate how it can utilise cutting-edge approaches and techniques to protect the sport.

Justice Frank Clarke, Director of Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board and former Chief Justice of Ireland, delivered the keynote speech for the need of robust systems to protect legal challenges.

Mr. Justice Clarke highlighted the vital importance of what he believes are the ‘three pillars’ of racing integrity – up-to-date rules of racing, sound processes and independent decision-makers.

Other speakers included Susan Ahern, Arbitrator 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, Jenni Kennedy the Senior Director of Investigations at the International Tennis Integrity Agency and Andrew Adams a Partner at international law firm Steptoe.

Integrity leaders from within racing included Andrew Harding Executive Director of the IFHA, Marc Van Gestel Chief Stipendiary Steward at The Hong Kong Jockey Club, 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 and Martin Purbrick Chair of the Asian Racing Federation Council on Anti-illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime.

Key integrity-related developments in racing were also announced during the Conference, most notably the transition of the ARF Council to the IFHA, plus the IFHA Racing Integrity Handbook.