IFHA

The 2024 Longines World Racing Awards will be held at the Savoy Hotel in London on Tuesday, January 21, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), in partnership with Swiss watch brand Longines, announced on Thursday. The ceremony will honour the highest-rated horse in the 2024 Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, as well as the Longines World's Best Horse Race. Earlier this year Equinox (Jpn) was named the 2023 Longines World's Best Racehorse with a rating of 135, while the G1 Japan Cup, won by Equinox on his final start,...

New Zealander James McDonald has won the 2024 Longines World's Best Jockey title with 160 points, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) announced on Wednesday. McDonald previously won the award in 2022. There was a margin of just 10 points back to Englishman Ryan Moore at 150. Moore, a four-time winner of the title, was clear of William Buick in third with 105 points. A ceremony will be held during a gala dinner of the Longines Hong Kong International Races at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to...

Henri Pouret has been named as the next chairman of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF) and he will begin his duties on June 1, 2025. An election was held at the EMHF's executive council meeting in Morocco last week to determine Brian Kavanagh's successor. Kavanagh has served in the role since the inception of the EMHF in 2010. Pouret is currently the chief operating officer and deputy chief executive officer of France Galop. He is also the vice-chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). Pouret said,...

The presentations and video replay from the 58th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, which took place at Saint-Cloud Racecourse on Monday, October 7, can now be found here on the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) website. The 2024 conference focused on upholding racing integrity, a key strategic point of the IFHA, and the overall programme examined items of key integrity threats and lessons from previous cases to determine how racing can utilise the most current approaches and techniques to protect the sport. Over 150 delegates from 40 different countries...

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges was re-elected as chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) by the IFHA Executive Council during the International Conference of Horseracing Authorities in Paris, France. Jim Gagliano, Masayuki Goto and Horacio Esposito were also re-elected as vice-chairs, with Henri Pouret a new vice-chair. He fills a vacancy created when Brian Kavanagh stepped down. Engelbrecht-Bresges, who has served as chair of the IFHA since 2021, said, "I look forward to continue working with my valued colleagues and members of the IFHA to further enhance our sport at...

Over 150 delegates from 40 different countries heard from key integrity leaders in racing and other major sports at the 58th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). Held in France at Saint-Cloud Racecourse, the 2024 conference was focused on upholding racing integrity, a key strategic point of the IFHA, and the overall programme examined items of key integrity threats and lessons from previous cases to determine how racing can utilise the most current approaches and techniques to protect the sport. Among keynote speakers was Justice Frank Clarke, the director of...

The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) have formalised their longstanding collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). ILAC administers a global multilateral mutual recognition arrangement among accreditation bodies responsible for accreditation of conformity assessment bodies, including testing laboratories. The IFHA aims to promote all facets of thoroughbred racing at the international level; protect the welfare of the equine and human athletes involved in the sport; and protect and grow its global social and economic significance for current and future generations. Great...

"The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon" was bestowed upon the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) chair, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, by the Government of Japan at a Conferment Ceremony hosted by Ambassador Okada Kenichi, Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong on Tuesday, July 2. Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges is the second-ever non-Japanese racing figure to be awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, following Mr Louis Romanet, IFHA chair emeritus, who received the same award in 2010. The Conferment published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of...

The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) Global Summit on Equine Safety and Technology took place at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada June 12-14. The Summit was attended by approximately 90 international research scientists, clinicians, veterinarians and racing regulators from at least 13 countries. "The Summit has been a major achievement for the Federation and our ongoing commitment to improving equine safety and welfare," said IFHA Executive Council Member Jim Lawson, who delivered the Summit's closing remarks. "Scientific research and technology are cornerstones of the IFHA's efforts to protect our...

Following his impressive victory in the G1 Derby, City Of Troy (Justify) now sits alongside Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in joint-second position after the fourth edition of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings for 2024 were released on Thursday. City Of Troy earned his rating of 123 when defeating Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) by two and three-quarter lengths at Epsom, fully confirming the promise he showed when unbeaten in three starts as a two-year-old. G1 Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River (Into Mischief) still tops the rankings with...

The International Thoroughbred Breeders' Federation (ITBF) has concluded its biennial Conference, this year hosted by the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association (JBBA) over five days. The 70 ITBF delegates from 21 of the 27 member countries first attended the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) in Tokyo, before being flown to Hokkaido for a two-day tour. An array of world-class stallions were shown at Shadai Stallion Station, Darley Japan and JBBA Shizunai Stallion Station, as well as the exceptional facilities at the JRA's Hikada Training and Research Centre. The attendees later returned...

The International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities (IFHA) will hold its Global Summit on Equine Safety and Technology at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada June 12-14, the organization announced Tuesday. The last IFHA International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, which focused on safeguarding equine welfare and shifts in societal expectations, was staged in October 2023. "Equine welfare is racing's single most important priority, and it is at the center of all decisions we make," said IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. "That is why the IFHA has invested significantly in delivering an event...