The International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) is an independent forum established to advocate for the lifetime care of retired racehorses, to increase awareness within the international racing community of this important responsibility and to increase awareness in the sport horse world regarding the versatility of the Thoroughbred horse.
IFAR provides leadership, support and expert advice on a range of aftercare issues, and facilitates a forum for jurisdictions to relate their experiences and to share best practice. Becoming a member of IFAR allows responsible organisations to publicly demonstrate their commitment to the aftercare of racehorses. Members are permitted to use and promote the IFAR logo in association with their brand. Check out more information about our history and membership program!
The eighth IFAR conference was held in conjunction with the 40th Asian Racing Conference (ARC), which took place 27 August – 1 September 2024, in Sapporo, Japan. The 40th ARC was presented by the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) and the Japan Racing Association (JRA), which is the host of this conference. The IFAR conference took place on Tuesday, 27 August, and it facilitated an aftercare facility visit to the Sapporo Racecourse Equestrian Facility as well as hosted a variety of panels with speakers from around the world. Visit our News section for detailed information and our Help & Resources section for replay videos and presentations.
The ninth IFAR conference will be held in Lexington, Kentucky from 24-26 April, 2025. The conference portion of the three-day event will be held at Spy Coast Farm’s Equine Education Center, while a variety of on-site visits will also be arranged to aftercare facilities in the area. More details will be released closer to the event.
Promoting equine welfare before, during and after a horse’s racing career is vital in ensuring the public’s confidence in the sport is maintained and is integral to the future health of horseracing
– Jim Gagliano, The Jockey Club
UPCOMING EVENTS
HISTORY & BACKGROUND
IFAR was formalised in October 2016, following symposiums instigated and supported by Godolphin in Kentucky in October 2015 and Newmarket in July 2016. The symposiums were attended by racing’s leading regulators and aftercare providers from around the world, who resolved to establish an entity which would advocate for thoroughbred aftercare. At the time, while some racing countries had aftercare initiatives in place, there were no formal networks or forums for sharing best practice.
The forums have been successful in bringing aftercare responsibilities to the top of the racing world’s consciousness. The events have also generated and shared expert content, stimulated media interest and fostered a constructive dialogue on challenging welfare and aftercare topics.
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP
The forum is led by a Steering Committee comprised of representatives who work with and alongside the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). The Committee comprises leading racing administrators, expert veterinary advisors, dedicated aftercare professionals and a representative from the world’s leading breeding and racing operation, Godolphin.
The Committee seeks to build a community of enlightened equine professionals who responsibly and constructively engage and contribute towards thoroughbred aftercare goals.