Asian Racing Federation

Last week, the 40th Asian Racing Conference took place in Sapporo, Japan. You may ask what relevance that has for anyone with horses in Continental America or Europe? The answer is many owners and trainers today play on the global stage. As an extremely small owner and breeder, even I have horses in the U.S., Ireland, England, France, and fractional ownership in Australia. And what do we all do first thing every morning? Read the Thoroughbred Daily News, and many listen to the Nick Luck Daily Podcast. In doing so,...

SAPPORO, Japan -- "It's been a hard day's night," sang Masayuki Goto, vice-chairman of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), as he took to the stage for his keynote speech during the closing exchanges of the 4oth Asian Racing Conference (ARC). And it is plain that Goto, the former president and CEO of the Japan Racing Association (JRA), and his fellow ARF committee members are looking forward to the day when their counterparts around the world are singing along in perfect harmony, perhaps to the tune of Here Comes The Sun....

SAPPORO, Japan -- 'Be connected, stride together' runs the strapline for the 40th Asian Racing Conference. There are of course representatives from beyond the Asian nations present in Sapporo and it did not take long for the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) chairman Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges to remind some 800 delegates just how out of step is British racing. "Great Britain is probably the most challenged when it comes to industry fragmentation," he said. "For our colleagues in the BHA, I would not call it Mission Impossible but it's close, and even...

The upcoming Asian Racing Conference at Sapporo on Aug. 28-30 will feature Japanese industry members' views on the future of racing in Japan. The business programme will consist of nine sessions, and there will also be three dedicated sharing sessions. Opening speeches will be delivered by Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, ARF chairman and Masayoshi Yoshida, president and CEO of the Japan Racing Association (JRA). Officials from the JRA, National Association of Racing in Japan, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc., Shadai Farm, Northern Farm, and Big Red Farm, will be sharing their insights during...

The government of Japan conferred The Order of the Rising Sun, gold rays with neck ribbon, on the Hong Kong Jockey Club's CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges on Apr. 29, the HKJC announced on Tuesday. He received the award in recognition for his contributions in promoting the international development of Japanese horse racing and thoroughbred breeding. The Order of the Rising Sun dates back to 1875 and is awarded to people who have rendered meritorious service to Japan. Engelbrecht-Bresges said, "I would like to dedicate this decoration to the International Federation of...

Asian Racing Federation Chairman Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges was re-elected to another term by the ARF at its Executive Council Meeting in Melbourne on Feb. 14, during the 39th Asian Racing Conference (ARC). Vice-Chairman Masayuki Goto will also serve in the same capacity once again. The pair of appointments will run until the conclusion of the next ARC next year. "I would like to thank the members of the Executive Council who have entrusted me to lead the Federation," said Engelbrecht-Bresges. "With their great support, I look forward to continue working with...

The complete list of speakers for the 39th Asian Racing Conference on Feb. 14-19, was announced by the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) on Tuesday. Themed "Breaking Barriers", the ARC will feature a three-day Business Programme, where the latest trends will be examined, as well as the most pressing issues and brightest opportunities facing the industry today. The full list of speakers can be found here.

The 39th Asian Racing Conference Business Programme was revealed on Friday. Set for Wednesday, Feb. 15, the ARC Business Programme will begin with "The Landscape", a scene-setting session that will explore the changing landscape of sport. ARF Chairman Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, also CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, will share his vision for the future of global racing and the opportunities and the barriers that line that path to that future. Other speakers include Masayuki Goto, Vice-Chairman of ARF and President and CEO of the Japan Racing Association, British Horseracing...