Speaking at the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities annual conference in Paris on Monday, 7 October, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, delivered a proposal to bring thoroughbred racing into closer co-operation with the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) and FEI (International Equestrian Federation), which could lead to greater and easier international movement of thoroughbreds.
Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges, who is also the IFHA Vice-Chairman representing Asia, outlined the benefits of cross-border movements of horses, especially at the highest level. With around 1,000 horses making temporary movements each year to contest international Group races, he stressed the importance of facilitating easier travel so that more of the best horses can compete regularly in the best races around the world. Such competition, he argued, would act as a form of quality control, enabling a more accurate measurement of horses’ ratings and reducing any fallibility in the World Thoroughbred Rankings.
“These cross-border movements contribute to the size and quality of fields and have the potential to increase the benefits from simulcasting and commingling,” he explained. “And the more movement of these horses, the more valid are their ratings as a benchmark for major international races.
“They also have potential to contribute positively to domestic media attention, public interest and sponsorship.”
Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges highlighted several current regulatory issues in certain countries, particularly relating to quarantine, that adversely impact the international movement of thoroughbred horses.
“Stipulated periods of pre-export and post-arrival quarantine for temporary movements significantly impact that country’s capacity to attract international runners and the global racing industry’s capacity to build an international circuit, with top-line horses participating in Group races in a number of different countries before returning home,” he said.
The HKJC CEO also called for closer engagement with the OIE, which is recognised by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as the world animal health organisation responsible for setting health standards for international trade in animals.
“We want a direct link with the OIE, because we want to encourage thoroughbred horse movements, and more importantly the control of disease at the local level,” he said.
Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges went further by calling for closer engagement with the FEI and pointed out that the FEI had invested heavily in a major partnership with the OIE.
“Organisers of equestrian competitions and thoroughbred race meetings have similar needs on the international movement of horses – the top level of competition depends on the participation of international competitors,” he said.
“By co-ordinating our respective efforts relating to the international movement of horses, the IFHA and FEI can leverage their respective strengths and avoid the risks associated with the two bodies having two separate conversations with the OIE.”
Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges also suggested the establishment of an International Horse Sports Confederation, which would create a formal vehicle for co-ordination between the IFHA and FEI.
Earlier at the IFHA annual conference, Andrew Harding, Director of Racing Development at the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Secretary General of the Asian Racing Federation, updated delegates about the 35th Asian Racing Conference which will be held in Hong Kong from 5-8 May 2014.
“This will be the third occasion on which Hong Kong has hosted the ARC, after 1978 and 1991. The growth of Hong Kong racing since then is a story in itself, and we are eager to share that story, especially as 2014 will be the 130th anniversary of the Hong Kong Jockey Club,” said Mr Harding.
Louis Romanet, Chairman of the IFHA, added: “The 2014 ARC will be the biggest gathering of racing authorities in the world. We can rely on the Hong Kong Jockey Club to ensure that it is very professionally organised, with three days of the conference, top-class racing and many social activities.”
