Asian Racing Conference

Leading South African racing operator Ms. Fundi Sithebe has called for more inclusivity and diversity in the sport, encouraging the dismantlement of stereotypes.

During a keynote speech at the 40th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Sapporo, Japan, Mr. Masayuki Goto, Vice-Chair of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) and Executive Advisor of the Japan Racing Association (JRA), identified aspects vital to horse racing’s success – particularly in Japan – and outlined several safeguarding initiatives for the sport.

A panel of key players in the breeding sector has raised several major issues vital to the sustainability of thoroughbred breeding, including rising costs, staff shortages and the loss of racecourses.

Leading welfare and integrity expert Mr. Jamie Stier has called for greater collaboration between racing authorities, scientists and researchers to overcome equine welfare concerns, which he describes as “the single biggest challenge facing the global horse racing industry.”

The growth of racing in the Gulf region was a key feature of a session titled Developments: Big Changes Across The ARF Footprint, on day 2 of the 40th Asian Racing Conference at Sapporo, Japan.

In a session titled ‘Integrity: Tackling New-Age Threats’ at the 40th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Sapporo, Japan on Thursday (29 August), members of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) Council on Anti-Illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime outlined threats posed by the illegal wagering market and advancing technology, and delegates learned of the emerging integrity challenge in the form of gene doping.