IFHA to celebrate 60 Years at Global Racing Conference in Paris

“For 60 years, delegates with a passion for racing have gathered to share ideas and promote international cooperation with a view to advancing the sport.”

In the eyes of IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, this year’s IFHA Conference will reflect on the achievements of the organisation across six decades and look towards the future of racing across the globe.

“It is important that we look back on the key successes of the IFHA while also examining the state of racing as it is today,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said, with the 60th IFHA Conference to be held on October 5 in Paris, France.

“By combining a look at the past and the future, we hope to engage and inspire our members as we strive to improve international racing for many more decades to come.”

The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities keynote address will be delivered by Princess Zahra Aga Khan, while sports television presenter Rishi Persad will serve as moderator.

Following a presentation on the IFHA’s past 60 years by its Executive Director Andrew Harding, a panel discussion will trace the evolution of the IFHA and examine its current agenda.

Jim Gagliano, President and COO of The Jockey Club and IFHA Vice-Chair, and Brian Kavanagh, CEO of The Curragh and former IFHA Vice-Chair, will be among the panellists.

They will be joined by Simon Cooper, former Vice-Chair of the International Stud Book Committee, Frances Nelson, former Chair of Racing Australia, and Murray Acklin, former Chair of the Asian Racing Federation.

Engelbrecht-Bresges will lead the second session with an address exploring the challenges facing the sport, followed by a panel discussion focused on leading racing towards a strong and sustainable future.

The panellists will include Masayuki Goto, Executive Advisor for the Japan Racing Association and IFHA Vice-Chair; Guillaume de Saint-Seine, President of France Galop; Everett Dobson, Chair of The Jockey Club; Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland; Felicity Barnard, CEO of Ascot; Teddy Grimthorpe, Chair of the International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation; and Vee Moodley, Chief Executive of the National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa.

In other international racing news, the Global Accreditation Cooperation and the International Federation have formalised their continuing collaboration with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

Global ACI is the successor to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation and the International Accreditation Forum, with the organisation commencing on January 1, 2026.

As the sole international authority on the accreditation of laboratories, it oversees certification bodies, inspection bodies, proficiency testing providers, validation and verification bodies, reference material producers and biobanks.

Global ACI has assumed all former activities of the IAF and ILAC, including the maintenance of a global Multilateral Recognition Arrangement among accreditation bodies responsible for the accreditation of conformity assessment bodies, including testing laboratories.

The IFHA is the global leader for the international sport of thoroughbred racing and seeks to promote all facets of the sport, protect the welfare of equine and human athletes, and protect and grow racing’s global social and economic significance for current and future generations.

Major areas of the IFHA’s activities include making and amending the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering, developing policies relating to the welfare and safety of horses and riders, international race planning and grading, and world rankings.

It also leads the fight against equine prohibited substances and practices, works towards the harmonisation of racing rules, certifies IFHA reference laboratories and fosters the commercial development of the racing industry globally.

The IFHA is also a foundation member, alongside the Fédération Equestre Internationale, of the International Horse Sports Confederation and is affiliated with the World Organisation for Animal Health.