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The National Horse Racing Authority (NHA) of South Africa on Thursday, May 28th, 2020, announced that the South African Government has permitted racing in South Africa will resume on June 1st, 2020, behind closed doors. Racing had been suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a national wide lockdown.
New possibilities for Almond Eye after Victoria Mile victory
New possibilities for Almond Eye after Victoria Mile victory
New possibilities for Almond Eye after Victoria Mile victory
The win by Japan's champion Almond Eye (JPN) in the ¥ 226.8m, Grade 1 Victoria Mile (1600m) at Tokyo on Sunday opened up new globetrotting possibilities for the five-year-old mare as she gained an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) through the international Breeders’ Cup Challenge.
Results from Asian Racing Federation members Australia and Japan on Saturday and Sunday, May 9th and 10th, 2020, had a remarkable tale of racing and sires from duel hemispheres after Russian Camelot (IRE) won the Group 1 South Australian Derby and Lauda Sion (JPN) the Grade 1 NHK Mile.
Australia, Hong Kong and Japan are keeping major racing going with world-wide interest
Australia, Hong Kong and Japan are keeping major racing going with world-wide interest
Australia, Hong Kong and Japan are keeping major racing going with world-wide interest
Racing jurisdictions around the world continue to wait for official advice that they may resume racing after the Covid-19 suspension including Asian Racing Federation’s South Africa who had hoped to resume last week, however, were unable to do so without approval from government.
New Zealand confirms stakes levels for a return to racing – Singapore cancels features
New Zealand confirms stakes levels for a return to racing – Singapore cancels features
New Zealand confirms stakes levels for a return to racing – Singapore cancels features
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) Chairman Dr Alan Jackson and CEO, Bernard Saundry, on Thursday issued a statement regarding the stakes levels for the return to racing on July 3rd, 2020, from the Covid-19 shutdown in New Zealand.
The eyes of the racing world turned to Hong Kong on Sunday, April 26th, 2020, for Group 1 racing on FWD Champions Day, however, as with all racing in the world during the Covid-19 pandemic the meeting was quite different from previous years.
Singapore Turf Club to reschedule the Kranji Mile and Lion City Cup
Singapore Turf Club to reschedule the Kranji Mile and Lion City Cup
Singapore Turf Club to reschedule the Kranji Mile and Lion City Cup
The Singapore Turf Club will reschedule the International Group 3 Kranji Mile and Group 1 Lion City Cup race meetings, both initially slated for 23 May 2020, to a later date.
Singapore racing suspension extended to June 1st
Singapore racing suspension extended to June 1st
Singapore racing suspension extended to June 1st
The Singapore Turf Club advised on Wednesday that the suspension of racing at Kranji has been extended to June 1st, 2020, in line with the Singapore Government's measures announced on Tuesday to stop the spread of the coronavirus Covid-19.
Draft New Zealand racing calendar released as racing target resumption on July 1st
Draft New Zealand racing calendar released as racing target resumption on July 1st
Draft New Zealand racing calendar released as racing target resumption on July 1st
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has released a proposed calendar for August through to early November, 2020, to give owners, trainers and racing participants some certainty for the next six months.
New Zealand’s Tofane (NZ) wins the final Group 1 of Sydney’s 2019/20 season
New Zealand’s Tofane (NZ) wins the final Group 1 of Sydney’s 2019/20 season
New Zealand’s Tofane (NZ) wins the final Group 1 of Sydney’s 2019/20 season
It was almost fitting that the Sydney Autumn Carnival and the final Group 1 of the 2019/20 season in the harbour city was brought to a close at Randwick last Saturday, April 18th, 2020, in dramatic fashion.
Randwick’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes the centre of world attention
Randwick’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes the centre of world attention
Randwick’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes the centre of world attention
With the shut-down of the majority of world racing Sydney once again became the centre of attention last weekend with 60 countries taking the broadcast of the A$2m, Group 1 Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) from Randwick on Saturday, April 11th, 2020.
Singapore suspends racing, updates from Australia and New Zealand
Singapore suspends racing, updates from Australia and New Zealand
Singapore suspends racing, updates from Australia and New Zealand
Singapore race meetings and overseas simulcast races will be suspended from Tuesday, 7 April 2020 to Monday, 4 May 2020.
New Zealanders win Australian Derby without spectators on-course
New Zealanders win Australian Derby without spectators on-course
New Zealanders win Australian Derby without spectators on-course
Last weekend the current status of Asian Racing Federation countries was on display with the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick, Sydney, won by Quick Thinker (AUS) trained by New Zealanders Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, who are in total lockdown in New Zealand, and the only other Group 1 in the world over the weekend, the 64th Oskai Hai (2000m), run without spectators, as was Randwick.
Japan’s first Grade 1 race of the spring season, the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) had two notable JRA Grade 1 firsts
Japan’s first Grade 1 race of the spring season, the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) had two notable JRA Grade 1 firsts
Japan’s first Grade 1 race of the spring season, the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) had two notable JRA Grade 1 firsts
Japan’s first Grade 1 race of the spring season, the ¥ 281,800,000 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) at Chukyo on Sunday, March 29th, 2020, had two notable JRA Grade 1 firsts, the race was held without spectators due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the horse who crossed the line first was demoted.
Singapore reduces race days and public not admitted to Kranji
Singapore reduces race days and public not admitted to Kranji
Singapore reduces race days and public not admitted to Kranji
The Singapore Turf Club (STC) advised on Thursday that in line with the Singapore Government Ministry of Health’s (MOH) Advisory it will be implementing the following stricter precautionary measures because of the Covid-19 pandemic:
South Africa postpones all race meetings until further notice due to Covid-19 virus lockdown
South Africa postpones all race meetings until further notice due to Covid-19 virus lockdown
South Africa postpones all race meetings until further notice due to Covid-19 virus lockdown
The South African Horseracing industry announced on Tuesday at all racing will be postponed from Friday, March 27th, 2020, until further notice due to the national wide lockdown announced by the South African Government on Monday because of Covid-19.
Dubai World Cup cancelled, racing to cease in New Zealand and Golden success in Hong Kong Derby
Dubai World Cup cancelled, racing to cease in New Zealand and Golden success in Hong Kong Derby
Dubai World Cup cancelled, racing to cease in New Zealand and Golden success in Hong Kong Derby
On one side of the world on Sunday, March 22nd, 2020, one Asian Racing Federation member had to cancel their yearly showcase meeting, the Dubai World Cup, on the other side another Asian Racing Federation member held one of its premier races, the Hong Kong Derby.
Covid-19 action by ARF racing authorities
Covid-19 action by ARF racing authorities
Covid-19 action by ARF racing authorities
A week of unprecedented action by racing authorities in various Asian Racing Federation jurisdictions has seen intense restrictions put in place to ensure racing can continue during the world-wide Covid-19 pandemic.
Sherwood Forest (AUS) proves too strong in New Zealand Derby
Sherwood Forest (AUS) proves too strong in New Zealand Derby
Sherwood Forest (AUS) proves too strong in New Zealand Derby
The Tony Pike trained Sherwood Forest (AUS) provided Australian based ex-pat New Zealander jockey Michael Walker with yet another Group 1 win when he teamed up with Pike and the Fastnet Rock gelding for a strong win in the NZ$1m, Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, February 29th, 2020.
New Zealand jockey Lisa Allpress creates history in Riyadh
New Zealand jockey Lisa Allpress creates history in Riyadh
New Zealand jockey Lisa Allpress creates history in Riyadh
New Zealand jockey Lisa Allpress created history in the International Jockeys Challenge at King Abdulaziz Racetrack, Riyadh, on Friday, February 28th, 2020, becoming the first female jockey win in the Asian Racing Federation member country.
Maxiumum Security (USA) wins the first ever Saudi Cup
Maxiumum Security (USA) wins the first ever Saudi Cup
Maxiumum Security (USA) wins the first ever Saudi Cup
The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia held the first Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racetrack, Riyadh, on Saturday, February 29th, 2020, with the USA trained and bred Maximum Security (USA) under Luis Saez winning the historic event.
ARF members at the forefront for Dubai World Pools
ARF members at the forefront for Dubai World Pools
ARF members at the forefront for Dubai World Pools
Asian Racing Federations (ARF) members are at the forefront of the next stage of development of World Pool betting with the announcement that the Hong Kong Jockey Club, in partnership with Dubai Racing Club, will offer World Pool betting for the Dubai Super Saturday meeting (7 March) and Dubai World Cup meeting (28 March) at Meydan Racecourse.
Ebraz wins Triple Crown, French King races to a double at HH The Amir Sword Festival 2020
Ebraz wins Triple Crown, French King races to a double at HH The Amir Sword Festival 2020
Ebraz wins Triple Crown, French King races to a double at HH The Amir Sword Festival 2020
In the presence of HH The Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Ebraz and HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s French King played out a repeat of last year’s results winning the two, USD 1 million each, features of the HH The Amir Sword Festival 2020 at Al Rayyan Park, Qatar, on Saturday.
Mozu Ascot dominates Toyko's Grade 1 February Stakes to set up Sydney trip
Mozu Ascot dominates Toyko's Grade 1 February Stakes to set up Sydney trip
Mozu Ascot dominates Toyko's Grade 1 February Stakes to set up Sydney trip
Before a crowd of 50,985 at Tokyo on Sunday race favorite Mozu Ascot under Christophe Lemaire captured his second Grade 1 victory in this year’s February Stakes (1600m) and has become the fifth horse to claim Grade 1 titles both on turf and dirt following Kurofune, Agnes Digital, Eagle Cafe and Admire Don.
Closing Ceremony of the 38th Asian Racing Conference and 2022 venue announced
Closing Ceremony of the 38th Asian Racing Conference and 2022 venue announced
Closing Ceremony of the 38th Asian Racing Conference and 2022 venue announced
After an engaging and informative week, the 38th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) closed on Friday evening, 21 February with Mr. Andrew Harding, Secretary-General of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) and Executive Director, Racing, of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, thanking the forum’s South African hosts and announcing the venue for the 2022 ARC at a gala closing ceremony in Cape Town’s International Convention Centre.
ARF General Assembly Press Release
ARF General Assembly Press Release
ARF General Assembly Press Release
Asian Racing Federation (ARF) Secretary General, Andrew Harding, provided an update on the activities of the ARF Secretariat during the past 20 months since the 37th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) was staged in Seoul, Korea in May 2018.
Mr. Louis Romanet, Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), led the eighth Plenary Session, entitled ‘Equine Welfare’, on Friday morning, the final day of the 38th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Cape Town, South Africa.
Engaging with the Government as a stakeholder
Engaging with the Government as a stakeholder
Engaging with the Government as a stakeholder
Throughout the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), there are different approaches being implemented across jurisdictions, regions and projects. This was the focus of the penultimate 10th Plenary Session of the 38th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Cape Town, South Africa, titled 'Major developments and current strategies in the Asian Region'. The session featured presentations and case studies about China, Japan, New Zealand and Korea.
Major developments and current strategies in the Asian Region
Major developments and current strategies in the Asian Region
Major developments and current strategies in the Asian Region
Throughout the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), there are different approaches being implemented across jurisdictions, regions and projects. This was the focus of the penultimate 10th Plenary Session of the 38th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Cape Town, South Africa, titled 'Major developments and current strategies in the Asian Region'. The session featured presentations and case studies about China, Japan, New Zealand and Korea.
Promoting the international movement of horses
Promoting the international movement of horses
Promoting the international movement of horses
Host Mr. David Eades introduced the 11th and final Plenary Session of the 38th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) on Friday afternoon in Cape Town, South Africa, entitled Promoting the international movement of horses. Pointing out that South Africa racing and breeding has been held back by African Horse Sickness (AHS), Mr. Eades explained that the session would explore where South Africa was, where it is right now and where it plans to be in the future.