“Wherever your horse ends up, there should be a life after racing,” stated IFRA Chair Di Arbuthnot on the highly successful 7th International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses.
Conducted with the 39th Asian Racing Conference on 14 February in Melbourne, Ms Arbuthnot expressed “in addition to the success achieved, there’s still more to do in the aftercare space.”
Earlier, in front of a record attendance at Spring Creek Equine, the IFAR Conference Committee Chairman Dr Eliot Forbes expressed “racing in every corner of the world is here for the horses.”
“With the IFAR, we’re to set the agenda for what’s next in aftercare: better science, better regulation, and better awareness of our responsibilities in an industry culture that’s moral and kind.”
“Our racing authorities are active in regulation, supporting Thoroughbred class events, engaging with the equestrian community, providing a safety net if required and championing an industry.”
With the Japan Racing Association being awarded the 40th Asian Racing Conference in 2024, Dr Forbes stated “we’re hoping for approval from the ARF to hold the next IFAR alongside the 40th ARC.”
“As no decisions have been made, it follows the great response from the 39th ARC audience, that aftercare is now recognised as an important topic and needs everyone’s enduring focus.”
“It is important not only to have staged these conferences internationally, but to make the information provided by our expert speakers available for future reference,” said Dr Eliot Forbes.
“Racing is very aware of its responsibility to our equine athletes, with the IFAR striving to showcase best practices, raise awareness, and provide practical advice to enhance aftercare initiatives.”
So important is the bond, that the IFAR receives assistance from the Japan Racing Association, having entered into a multi-year sponsorship agreement to support the activities of the organization.
It’s now fitting the next conference is be held on the island of Hokkaido, Japan’s largest thoroughbred breeding area with more that 95% of its thoroughbreds competing on the international stage.
In fact, JRA President and CEO Mr Masayuki Goto expressed “on behalf of the Japanese racing industry, I express my deep thanks to the ARF for selecting Sapporo as host of the next Conference.”
Additionally, ARF President Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said “the 40th ARC is a milestone for ARF-convened conferences, which has evolved as a leading global conference in the racing world.”
“With the first ARC held in Tokyo in 1960, the ARCs developed into important international forums for sharing of ideas between some of the most influential leaders in global racing and sport.”
News in from the Blue Grass is that the renown Claiborne Farm is the title sponsor for the new Former Broodmare division of the Thoroughbred Makeover of the Retired Racehorse Project.
“We’ve had calls to serve this population of Thoroughbreds for a while, and to make contribution into finding variable Channels into the next careers for broodmares,” said Kristen Green of RRP.
While the Broodmare Division has mares competing in all 10 divisions against racehorses, in Ireland Lilymai Berry on Sklanna Scatman won the Immediate Class at the Eventing Championships.
In New Zealand, NZ Thoroughbred Racing’s focus and commitment to Thoroughbred welfare has been further reinforced by the publication of the 2022 NZTR Thoroughbred Welfare Strategy Update.
In detailing NZTR’s commitment to continually improving and upholding the high standards of welfare for our Thoroughbreds, it’s in consultation with industry stakeholders and animal welfare interested representatives that attended the 2022 Thoroughbred Welfare Forum.
