All Releases
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.
Introduction to the business sessions of the 38th Asian Racing Conference
Introduction to the business sessions of the 38th Asian Racing Conference
Introduction to the business sessions of the 38th Asian Racing Conference
Mr. Andrew Harding, Asian Racing Federation (ARF) Secretary General, and Executive Director, Racing, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, on behalf of Mr.Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, ARF Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, delivered the opening address of the business sessions of the 38th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) on Wednesday morning.
Ride Like A Girl – Insights into the making of a racing feature film
Ride Like A Girl – Insights into the making of a racing feature film
Ride Like A Girl – Insights into the making of a racing feature film
Ride Like A Girl tells the story of Ms. Michelle Payne and the trials and tribulations that led to her historic winning ride aboard Prince Of Penzance in the Race That Stops A Nation, the 2015 G1 Melbourne Cup in Australia.
BBC journalist and conference moderator Mr. David Eades introduced a lively Plenary Session 4, entitled Protecting Racing's Integrity, on Thursday morning at the 38th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Cape Town, South Africa.
For Racing’s Integrity, and Engaging Government Agencies: the Anti-Illegal Betting Taskforce
For Racing’s Integrity, and Engaging Government Agencies: the Anti-Illegal Betting Taskforce
For Racing’s Integrity, and Engaging Government Agencies: the Anti-Illegal Betting Taskforce
Mr. Douglas Robinson, Deputy Chairman, Asian Racing Federation (ARF) Anti-Illegal Betting Taskforce, and Senior Due Diligence and Research Manager, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, warned of the “war” racing faces against illegal betting as he moderated Plenary Session 5 on Thursday afternoon at the 38th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Cape Town, South Africa.
Racecourses, Racing and the community
Racecourses, Racing and the community
Racecourses, Racing and the community
Racecourses, by their very nature, take up large swathes of land, but historically, their use has been restricted to horse racing. However, with growing demands for prime land in urban areas and a changing market for leisure and entertainment consumers, there is a need for racecourses to diversify and adapt.
Ensuring the wellbeing of racing athletes
Ensuring the wellbeing of racing athletes
Ensuring the wellbeing of racing athletes
Ms. Victoria Carter, Deputy Chair of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, opened Thursday’s Plenary Session 7 of the 38th Asian Racing Conference (ARC), titled ‘Ensuring the wellbeing of racing athletes’, by asking: “Are we, the administrators, doing enough to support our jockeys? They may be self-employed, but without them we have no sport.”
Exploring innovative race concepts at the 38th Asian Racing Conference
Exploring innovative race concepts at the 38th Asian Racing Conference
Exploring innovative race concepts at the 38th Asian Racing Conference
Dr. Makoto Inoue, Vice-Chair, Asian Racing Federation (ARF), Presidential Counsellor for International Affairs, Japan Racing Association (JRA), opened the second Plenary Session of the 38th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) exploring innovative race concepts, with a reminder that while tradition is important, there is a need for innovation.
Fan Engagement through Media, Marketing, Data and Sponsorship
Fan Engagement through Media, Marketing, Data and Sponsorship
Fan Engagement through Media, Marketing, Data and Sponsorship
Mr. Greg Nichols, Chairman, Racing Australia, and Director, Racing Victoria, chaired Plenary Session 3 entitled Fan Engagement through Media, Marketing, Data and Sponsorship on Wednesday afternoon at the 38th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Cape Town, South Africa.
Wagering & Digitalisation is the theme of the first ARC 2020 Plenary Session
Wagering & Digitalisation is the theme of the first ARC 2020 Plenary Session
Wagering & Digitalisation is the theme of the first ARC 2020 Plenary Session
Asian Racing Federation (ARF) Chairman Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges on Wednesday morning participated by video in the first Plenary Session covering Wagering & Digitalisation which began the business sessions at the 38th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Cape Town, South Africa.
Opening ceremony of the 38th Asian Racing Conference in Cape Town
Opening ceremony of the 38th Asian Racing Conference in Cape Town
Opening ceremony of the 38th Asian Racing Conference in Cape Town
After an absence of 23 years the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) returned to Cape Town, South Africa where delegates attending the 38th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) were warmly welcomed by Mr. Andrew Harding, ARF Secretary General, on behalf of ARF Chairman, Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, on Tuesday evening.