The PowerPoint presentations and video replays from the seventh International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) are now available on the IFAR website. The videos can also be found on IFAR’s YouTube page. In addition to the speaker videos, a conference highlight reel as well as the second episode of the IFAR video magazine, which premiered during the forum, have also been published.
“The speaker videos are an important addition to the wealth of materials from prior IFAR conferences,” said IFAR Chair Di Arbuthnot. “This ever-growing body of work provides advice and guidance on a wide variety of aftercare topics. Additionally, for those unable to attend the conference, the highlight reel will give you a sense of being there, while the video magazine continues to showcase the good work being done in aftercare around the world.”
The IFAR conference took place on 14 February in Melbourne, Australia, in front of a record number of attendees. It provided an onsite visit to Spring Creek Equine, a Thoroughbred aftercare facility, as well as a traditional conference covering a number of relevant topics. It was held in conjunction with the 39th Asian Racing Conference (ARC), which was organized by the Asian Racing Federation (ARF). The ARC took place 14-19 February and was hosted by Racing Victoria (RV).
“It is important not only to have these conferences but to make the information provided by our expert speakers available for future reference,” said Dr. Eliot Forbes, chair of the IFAR Conference Committee. “As the record attendance at the Melbourne forum demonstrates, racing is very aware of its responsibility to our equine athletes. IFAR strives to showcase best practices, raise awareness, and provide practical advice to enhance aftercare initiatives.”
The IFAR conference received assistance from the Japan Racing Association (JRA), which has entered into a multi-year sponsorship agreement to support the activities of the organization.
Prior to the virtual conference series in 2022 and 2021, IFAR had previously been held in conjunction with the 38th ARC in Cape Town, South Africa, in February 2020; the European & Mediterranean Horseracing Federation’s General Assembly in Oslo, Norway, in May 2019; the 37th ARC in Seoul, South Korea, in May 2018; and the Pan American Conference in Washington, D.C., in May 2017.
IFAR is an independent forum that recognizes geographical and industry differences among racing countries and is designed to enhance Thoroughbred aftercare worldwide. Working with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, IFAR will raise awareness of the importance of welfare for Thoroughbreds, improve education on lifetime care, and help increase demand for former racehorses in other equestrian sports. For more information on IFAR, visit https://www.internationalracehorseaftercare.com or follow its social channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses