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Spectacular Ending And Mandate For Change, As Asian Racing Conference Wraps Up

Spectacular Ending And Mandate For Change, As Asian Racing Conference Wraps Up

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Spectacular Ending And Mandate For Change, As Asian Racing Conference Wraps Up

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A week of insight, thought leadership and discussion about the future of horse racing concluded with a call for global collaboration before a spectacular laser show at the Closing Ceremony of the 41st Asian Racing Conference in Riyadh.

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Breeding Industry Fundamentally Strong But Welfare-Focused Approach Needed

Breeding Industry Fundamentally Strong But Welfare-Focused Approach Needed

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Breeding Industry Fundamentally Strong But Welfare-Focused Approach Needed

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Breeders from across the globe painted a mixed picture about the health of the breeding sector, but were aligned on the need for a coordinated approach, with welfare at its heart, to ensure strong yearling sales and production of foals leads to a vibrant racing programme and a sustainable sport, the 41st Asian Racing Conference heard on Thursday.

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Experts Call For Unified Approach To Further Improve Equine Welfare Practices

Experts Call For Unified Approach To Further Improve Equine Welfare Practices

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Experts Call For Unified Approach To Further Improve Equine Welfare Practices

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Horse welfare potentially presents an existential threat to the global racing industry but a unified, coherent approach from jurisdictions globally will ensure the sport can enjoy a sustainable future, the Asian Racing Conference heard on Thursday.

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Key Integrity Issues Under The Spotlight At 41st Asian Racing Conference

Key Integrity Issues Under The Spotlight At 41st Asian Racing Conference

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Key Integrity Issues Under The Spotlight At 41st Asian Racing Conference

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During Wednesday’s final session, titled ‘Integrity’, at the 41st Asian Racing Conference in Riyadh, Mr Kim Kelly, Chair, IFHA International Harmonisation of Racing Rules Committee and Deputy Commissioner, Queensland Racing Integrity Commission, declared that “racing is in a very good space”, while adding “the biggest threat to the integrity of horse racing is illegal and unregulated betting markets”, with the anonymity provided by crypto-driven illegal betting creating constant headaches for regulators.

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Gulf Horseracing Council Paving The Way For Region To Become Global Power

Gulf Horseracing Council Paving The Way For Region To Become Global Power

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Gulf Horseracing Council Paving The Way For Region To Become Global Power

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The Gulf Horseracing Council (GHC) has made great strides in bringing alignment and cooperation across jurisdictions in the region in its first year of work, and an inspiring future lies ahead if the collaboration and focus continue, the 41st Asian Racing Conference heard in Riyadh on Wednesday.

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The Route To Long-Term, Engaged Racing Customers Is Through Experiences

The Route To Long-Term, Engaged Racing Customers Is Through Experiences

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The Route To Long-Term, Engaged Racing Customers Is Through Experiences

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The key to driving long-term engagement with horse racing in an increasingly competitive attention economy is to provide fans with unforgettable raceday experiences which are backed up by compelling digital assets and strong storytelling, the 41st Asian Racing Conference heard in Riyadh.

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Expert Warns Racing Leaders Of The Importance Of Properly Adopting Ai In The Next “Two To Four Years”

Expert Warns Racing Leaders Of The Importance Of Properly Adopting Ai In The Next “Two To Four Years”

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Expert Warns Racing Leaders Of The Importance Of Properly Adopting Ai In The Next “Two To Four Years”

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Global artificial intelligence (AI) expert Mr Danilo McGarry has warned racing leaders at the 41st Asian Racing Conference in Riyadh of the importance of ensuring their organisations become ‘AI-first’ in the next “two to four years”.

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World’s Biggest Racing Carnivals “Shone Brilliantly” In 2025 As Leaders Continue To Innovate

World’s Biggest Racing Carnivals “Shone Brilliantly” In 2025 As Leaders Continue To Innovate

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World’s Biggest Racing Carnivals “Shone Brilliantly” In 2025 As Leaders Continue To Innovate

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The unprecedented health of major racing carnivals around the world was the focus of session three on day one of the 41st Asian Racing Conference in Riyadh on Tuesday, with industry leaders sharing their secrets to success.

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Equestrian Sport At The Heart Of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Agenda

Equestrian Sport At The Heart Of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Agenda

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Equestrian Sport At The Heart Of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Agenda

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Impact on tourism and infrastructure driven by sport’s growth, Asian Racing Conference delegates hear

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Horse Racing Can Learn From Formula 1 In Engaging Younger Fans: ‘Instead Of Selling Facts, They’re Selling Emotions’

Horse Racing Can Learn From Formula 1 In Engaging Younger Fans: ‘Instead Of Selling Facts, They’re Selling Emotions’

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Horse Racing Can Learn From Formula 1 In Engaging Younger Fans: ‘Instead Of Selling Facts, They’re Selling Emotions’

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Storytelling was one of the key pillars on the opening day of the 41st Asian Racing Conference in Riyadh, with The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) Executive Director of Sports Business, Mr Casper Stylsvig, outlining how horse racing can learn from Formula 1 as it strives to increase fan engagement across the globe.

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Racing Leaders Urge Collaboration To Tell The Sport’s Story Better To New Audiences

Racing Leaders Urge Collaboration To Tell The Sport’s Story Better To New Audiences

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Racing Leaders Urge Collaboration To Tell The Sport’s Story Better To New Audiences

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Global horse racing must collaborate more effectively to tell its story better if it is to fend off increasing challenges from a narrowing customer base, the growth of illegal betting operators and increased competition from sports betting, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges told the Asian Racing Conference in Riyadh on Tuesday.

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Re-election of ARF Chair and Vice-Chairs

Re-election of ARF Chair and Vice-Chairs

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Re-election of ARF Chair and Vice-Chairs

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The Asian Racing Federation (ARF) Executive Council has unanimously re-elected Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges as Chair, and Mr. Masayuki Goto and Mr. Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi as Vice-Chairs, at its meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on the eve of the 41st Asian Racing Conference (ARC).

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Riyadh Welcomes Equine World to 41st Asian Racing Conference

Riyadh Welcomes Equine World to 41st Asian Racing Conference

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Riyadh Welcomes Equine World to 41st Asian Racing Conference

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Asian Racing Federation’s showpiece highlights ‘Honouring Tradition, Shaping the Future’ theme

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ARF Statement: Passing of Former ARF Chair, Dr Koji Sato

ARF Statement: Passing of Former ARF Chair, Dr Koji Sato

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ARF Statement: Passing of Former ARF Chair, Dr Koji Sato

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The Asian Racing Federation (ARF) is saddened to share the news of the passing of Dr Koji Sato, former ARF Chair and a highly respected racing administrator.

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Asian Racing Federation statement on Australian black type quality control

Asian Racing Federation statement on Australian black type quality control

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Asian Racing Federation statement on Australian black type quality control

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The Asian Racing Federation (ARF) advises that, given the exceptional circumstances that exist, the Asian Pattern Committee (APC) will, for the time being, make decisions regarding the status of all black type races in Australia.

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41st Asian Racing Conference Registrations Open

41st Asian Racing Conference Registrations Open

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41st Asian Racing Conference Registrations Open

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Early bird tickets released for the 41st Asian Racing Conference (ARC) held between February 9 – 14, 2026. Register and more information: www.arcriyadh2026.com

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ARF Publishes Member Profile on the Jockey Club of Türkiye

ARF Publishes Member Profile on the Jockey Club of Türkiye

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ARF Publishes Member Profile on the Jockey Club of Türkiye

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The Asian Racing Federation (ARF) is delighted to share with you the latest edition of the ARF Member Profile featuring the Korea Racing Authority (KRA), which celebrates 100 years of horseracing in Korea and highlights the KRA's exciting new developments and initiatives.

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ARF Publishes the Fourth Edition of the ARF Newsletter

ARF Publishes the Fourth Edition of the ARF Newsletter

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ARF Publishes the Fourth Edition of the ARF Newsletter

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The Asian Racing Federation (ARF) is pleased to share with you the fourth edition of the ARF Newsletter, which features key races and news across the ARF membership, as well as insights arising from the 40th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) and the 58th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities.

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41st ARC - Save the Date

41st ARC - Save the Date

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41st ARC - Save the Date

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The Asian Racing Federation (ARF) and the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia are pleased to announce that the 41st Asian Racing Conference will be held on 9 - 14 February 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Stay tuned for further details to be announced in due course.

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Globalising the ARF Council – Moving to the IFHA

Globalising the ARF Council – Moving to the IFHA

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Globalising the ARF Council – Moving to the IFHA

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The Asian Racing Federation (ARF) wishes to advise that the ARF Council on Anti-illegal Betting & Related Financial Crime (ARF Council) will transition to the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and be named the IFHA Council on Anti-illegal Betting and Related Crime (IFHA Council).

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IFHA Unveils Racing Integrity Handbook and Launches Anti-Illegal Betting Council

IFHA Unveils Racing Integrity Handbook and Launches Anti-Illegal Betting Council

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IFHA Unveils Racing Integrity Handbook and Launches Anti-Illegal Betting Council

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During the 58th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities (ICHA), organised by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), several integrity-related developments in racing were announced. The IFHA has released its RacingIntegrity Handbook and created the IFHA Council on Anti-illegal Betting and Related Crime.

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41st Asian Racing Conference heads to Saudi Arabia in 2026

41st Asian Racing Conference heads to Saudi Arabia in 2026

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41st Asian Racing Conference heads to Saudi Arabia in 2026

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The 41st Asian Racing Conference (ARC) will be held in Saudi Arabia in 2026 with the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, in conjunction with the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), to stage the international conference in Riyadh.

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The call for more inclusion and diversity in racing

The call for more inclusion and diversity in racing

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The call for more inclusion and diversity in racing

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Leading South African racing operator Ms. Fundi Sithebe has called for more inclusivity and diversity in the sport, encouraging the dismantlement of stereotypes.

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A life’s work – JRA’s Masayuki Goto tells of enduring commitment to horse racing

A life’s work – JRA’s Masayuki Goto tells of enduring commitment to horse racing

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A life’s work – JRA’s Masayuki Goto tells of enduring commitment to horse racing

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During a keynote speech at the 40th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Sapporo, Japan, Mr. Masayuki Goto, Vice-Chair of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) and Executive Advisor of the Japan Racing Association (JRA), identified aspects vital to horse racing’s success – particularly in Japan – and outlined several safeguarding initiatives for the sport.

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Global views on the thoroughbred breeding industry

Global views on the thoroughbred breeding industry

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Global views on the thoroughbred breeding industry

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A panel of key players in the breeding sector has raised several major issues vital to the sustainability of thoroughbred breeding, including rising costs, staff shortages and the loss of racecourses.

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Horse welfare is racing’s biggest global challenge

Horse welfare is racing’s biggest global challenge

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Horse welfare is racing’s biggest global challenge

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Leading welfare and integrity expert Mr. Jamie Stier has called for greater collaboration between racing authorities, scientists and researchers to overcome equine welfare concerns, which he describes as “the single biggest challenge facing the global horse racing industry.”

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Big changes across the ARF footprint

Big changes across the ARF footprint

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Big changes across the ARF footprint

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The growth of racing in the Gulf region was a key feature of a session titled Developments: Big Changes Across The ARF Footprint, on day 2 of the 40th Asian Racing Conference at Sapporo, Japan.

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Advanced technology an asset and obstacle in combatting illegal wagering, and the new age threat of gene doping

Advanced technology an asset and obstacle in combatting illegal wagering, and the new age threat of gene doping

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Advanced technology an asset and obstacle in combatting illegal wagering, and the new age threat of gene doping

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In a session titled ‘Integrity: Tackling New-Age Threats’ at the 40th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Sapporo, Japan on Thursday (29 August), members of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) Council on Anti-Illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime outlined threats posed by the illegal wagering market and advancing technology, and delegates learned of the emerging integrity challenge in the form of gene doping.

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Asian Racing Conference discusses betting trends and breathtaking World Pool benefits

Asian Racing Conference discusses betting trends and breathtaking World Pool benefits

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Asian Racing Conference discusses betting trends and breathtaking World Pool benefits

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Leading wagering experts have lauded the transformative powers of World Pool at the 40th Asian Racing Conference in Sapporo, Japan, but also expressed concerns over regulatory challenges and taxation issues as the sport is buffeted by economic headwinds.

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Horse racing’s connection with popular culture is explored at the 40th Asian Racing Conference

Horse racing’s connection with popular culture is explored at the 40th Asian Racing Conference

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Horse racing’s connection with popular culture is explored at the 40th Asian Racing Conference

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The integration of horse racing into popular culture through the deeds of equine champions, including Australia’s Winx and Japan’s Equinox, was explored at the 40th Asian Racing Conference on Wednesday, 28 August, at the Sapporo Convention Center in Sapporo.