Globalising the International Federation Council

As the 58th International Federation of Hotse Racing Conference was such a ‘game changer,’ its now home of the incoming IFHA Council on Anti-illegal Betting and Related Crime.

Held at the Paris St-Cloud Racecourse on 7 October, it was the Asian Racing Federation who advised that the ARF Council on Anti-illegal Betting & Related Financial Crime was now with the IFHA.

Founded in 2017, the ARF Council aim was to foster and enhance international cooperation to better combat the threat of illegal betting and related financial crime risks to horse racing integrity.

Pertaining to racing, and sport in general, the ARF Council is an established think-tank representing horse racing as a sport and the Asian Racing Federation as a leading sports federation.

With the IFHA Council now under the auspices of the global racing federation, the role and scope of the Council is global, with Council membership being strengthened by expanding further.

To include more experts from other regions outside Asia, and the reach and impact of the Asian Racing Council will be expanded by engaging with a wider geographical diversity of stakeholders.

The ARF was appreciative of the invaluable contributions of ARF Council members, and its unwavering commitment to supporting the IFHA Council throughout and following the transition.

Also, at the 58th Annual Conference the IFHA Executive Council re-elected Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges as Chair, and Jim Gagliano, Masayuki Goto and Horacio Esposito as Vice-Chairs.

Now with Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges serving as the Chair since 2021, The Executive Council also elected Henri Pouret as Vice-Chair, filling a vacancy created by Brian Kavanagh of Ireland.

In stepping down after a long and distinguished office, Winfred stated “Brian’s tireless dedication and unwavering commitment international racing have been vital to its sustained success, and we are most grateful for his many years of leadership, wise counsel and friendship.”

On again accepting the Chair, Winfried stated “I look forward to continue working with my valued colleagues and members of the IFHA to further enhance our sport at an international level.”

“I would like to thank the Executive Council which has entrusted me to continue to lead the Federation into what is an exciting, but challenging, time for racing globally.”

After congratulating Henri Pouret on his appointment, Henri replied “I am honoured and very thankful to the Executive Council for placing its trust and confidence in me to fulfil the Vice-Chair.

“I am eager to support the IFHA’s efforts to further strengthen global collaboration on key issues impacting racing and breeding” with the terms for the Chair and Vice-Chairs for three years.

As a holder of a LLM in Public Law from Pantheon University, Henri Pouret joined France Galop in 2003 as Deputy Head of the Steward’s and Racing Code, and in 2005 was appointed Head of the Steward’s and Racing Code and in 2009 became the Director of the Racing Regulatory Department.

In 2013 he became Deputy General Manager of France Galop and promoted to Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Chief Operating Officer in 2024, and France Galop official in international matters.

He became the co-chairman of the IFHA Technical Advisory Committee, and founding member of the IFHA International Harmonisation of Raceday Rules Committee and Vice-Chairman of the IFHA International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee.

A member of the Board of the European Horserace Scientific Liaison Committee in which he chaired from 2018 to 2022, and a member of the Executive Committee of the European and Medit.