About ARF

The Asian Racing Federation (ARF) is a regional federation comprising 28 national racing authorities and racing-related organisations from across Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East.

The ARF is formally linked with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). Australia, Hong Kong and Japan have permanent seats representing the ARF on the Executive Council of the IFHA, and the ARF also nominates one of two rotational positions on the IFHA Executive Council.

28

Members

1960

First Asian Racing Conference

39

Asian Racing Conferences Organised To Date

Objectives

The objectives of the ARF are:

  1. To meet and foster goodwill and mutual understanding through the medium of periodic conferences and other racing events in members countries and Special Administrative Regions.
  2. To promote horseracing and breeding and the integrity and prestige thereof by any means that the Federation shall consider appropriate and which are in compliance with all existing laws, rules and regulations.
  3. To encourage and develop mutually beneficial objectives and strategies between racing organisations, without discrimination, to aid the development of horseracing.
  4. To exchange ideas and information on matters connected with horseracing.
  5. To encourage, promote and support international competition for jockeys and horses when conditions permit.

Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges is currently the ARF Chairman and together with the Executive Council and its Members, the ARF works to continuously advance thoroughbred racing globally.

History of ARF

The beginnings of the ARF can be traced back to 1960 when the first Asian Racing Conference (ARC) was convened in Tokyo on the initiative of Count Todamasa Sakai, President of the Japan Racing Association, and Mr U Chit Khine of the Rangoon Turf Club.

In 2001, the Asian Racing Federation was formally established as a permanent organisation at the 28th ARC in Thailand. Today, the ARC has evolved to be a major racing event in the international racing calendar and regularly attracts more than 500 industry leaders and key stakeholders in racing and sports.