The eighth International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) took place in front of a full house on 27 August in Sapporo, Japan. It offered a full day programme incorporating a conference and a local facility visit, showcasing off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Both events were hosted by the Japan Racing Association (JRA) and supported by the Asian Racing Federation (ARF).
“It has become increasingly important for the racing industry to properly address the issue of horse welfare,” said JRA President and CEO Masayoshi Yoshida, who officially opened the conference. “Horse racing is an exciting and enjoyable sport with a very long history. I believe that addressing the issue of welfare and aftercare of racehorses is an unavoidable challenge that must be met to sustain the sport and sports betting worldwide.”
The IFAR conference took place in conjunction with the 40th Asian Racing Conference (ARC), which is organised by the ARF and scheduled for 27 August-1 September.
IFAR participants began their day with a visit to Sapporo Racecourse, which is one of many of the JRA’s equestrian facilities that works with retired racehorses. Delegates experienced first-hand how the JRA-supported programmes fulfill an important community role and help prepare the next generation of Japanese equestrians.
This multi-faceted excursion showcased how the JRA supports and transitions off-the-track Thoroughbreds across a range of second careers. Among those taking part was world renowned jockey Christophe Lemaire.
Attendees then travelled to Sapporo Convention Center, where the afternoon portion of the conference commenced. Following the official welcome by Yoshida, IFAR Chair Di Arbuthnot also warmly greeted the crowd.
“I want to thank the JRA for all of their commitments to IFAR,” said Arbuthnot. “We would not be here today without them. Moving forward, the equestrian world and racing must work together. I am talking both in terms of bodies working together within individual jurisdictions and of the overarching international authorities coming together to listen and learn from one another.”
It was at this time Arbuthnot also announced she was stepping down following the conclusion of two terms in the role of chair. She has led the organisation since its inception in 2016. Dr Eliot Forbes, who previously served as chair of IFAR’s Conference Organising Committee, has been named her successor.
English football legend and Thoroughbred enthusiast Michael Owen then delivered the keynote address via video, and renowned broadcaster David Eades served as moderator.
“Any athlete has got to, at some point, retire,” said Owen. “There will always be many different needs and approaches to aftercare. As the well-worn racing phrase goes, it’s horses for courses, and it will often depend on where you are across the racing world. But the important thing is that wherever you are, aftercare is recognised as a shared responsibly that owners, breeders, participants, and the authorities take seriously.”
Following the keynote address, Dr Atsushi Kikuta, Director of Equine and Stewards Department for the JRA, presented on the second careers of Thoroughbreds in Japan. The JRA currently uses retired racehorses in a number of ways, including as lead horses and as ambassadors to help educate people interested in working in the horse racing industry. It also continues to expand its programs for retired racehorses.
“The JRA recognises the importance of taking the initiative in utilizing retired racehorses,” said Kikuta. “Supporting various equine activities will help create homes for horses and places for retired racehorses to be active.
“The Thoroughbred Aftercare and Welfare (TAW) was established in April 2024 based on policies decided by the ‘Japanese Consultative Committee on Aftercare of Racehorses.’ Its main job is to promote second careers for retired racehorses, find solutions for life after aging/retirement, and facilitate diverse utilization of horses/retired racehorses.”
Dr Roly Owers, Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare, then discussed the emerging perspectives on community trust.
“We need to continue to learn, to be open to challenge and change, and to expand our evidence base with high quality research,” said Owers. “Equally, we must remember that sharing our values with those of the general public is even more important when it comes to moving the public acceptance dial.
“But above all, if we treat the horse as the most important stakeholder, we will go a long way to maintaining public acceptance. If, when, we do this well, we can turn the current challenge into an opportunity for growth, just as other industries have done.”
The audience then enjoyed an aftercare highlight video featuring multiple Olympian Boyd Martin, who led a retired racehorse retraining clinic at Baji Koen Equestrian Park, the Tokyo Olympic venue.
“I can’t think of another animal that has so much heart,” said Martin. “When you ride a Thoroughbred, they absolutely give you their all. This is hugely important in sport horses. Having a horse that just keeps trying and trying and trying for you no matter the conditions or no matter the event is a wonderful, wonderful feeling.”
Next, Helena Flynn and Dr Jane Williams discussed tracking the traceability of British Thoroughbreds. Flynn is the Programme Director at the Horse Welfare Board, while Williams is a professor and Head of Research at Hartpury University.
“The census has resulted in a number of recommendations being shared with British racing and wider equestrian stakeholders,” said Flynn. “It was an important first step to enable us to put a marker in the sand for where Great British Thoroughbred numbers are and to help us gain intelligence to support future initiatives to attain our goal of 100% Thoroughbred traceability.”
Sarah Coleman, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Council, then presented on developing safety net programs which can help assist retiring racehorses.
“We want to lead, educate, and protect,” said Coleman. “The number one thing we do is try to meet people where they are. It is hard for horse people to ask for help. We try very diligently to make sure that people are not afraid to come to us with a problem. You want to be a place of trust and not judgement.”
The final presentation was given by Natasha Rose, Executive Manager, Equestrian Affairs Projects for the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), who discussed equestrian industry views on Thoroughbred suitability and versatility.
“We should be accountable for what we do,” said Rose. “It’s crucial to understand equestrian industry views in order to successfully maintain a sustainable aftercare sector.
“Further work is needed to communicate and educate in order to dispel misconceptions which may deter people from considering a retired Thoroughbred. More can be done to bridge the gap between racing and the equestrian industry in order to provide more safe and viable outlets.”
Highlighting the versatility of the Thoroughbred was a central theme of the final video featured at the event. The Center for Racehorse Retraining (CRR), which is based out of Wyoming in the United States, showcased its unique approach to second careers.
“They’re out there running around barefoot on rocky terrain and living on prairie grass in the middle of Wyoming blizzards, and they are doing great,” said Kate Anderson, the Executive Director at CRR. “We realised how adaptable even Thoroughbreds are and how little we actually, I think, know about keeping domestic horses.”
The forum then featured a panel, which brought back all of the speakers on stage for a spirited and informative discussion as well as questions from the audience. Lastly, closing remarks were delivered by Forbes.
“I can’t begin to express how proud we are to hold this conference in Japan, generously hosted by our very good friends at the Japan Racing Association,” Forbes said. “For anyone who has loved a horse, it is not hard to elicit an emotional response when we hear about the magnificent work that is being undertaken around the world, from the wild plains of Wyoming through to the heart of an urbanized country like Japan.
“Any racing sustainability strategy must include welfare elements, with a particular focus on aftercare. IFAR’s work to share best practice, advocate for aftercare and facilitate these gatherings now becomes more important than ever before.”
The IFAR conference received assistance from the JRA, which has entered into a multi-year sponsorship agreement to support the activities of the organization.
IFAR is an independent forum that recognises geographical and industry differences among racing countries and is designed to enhance Thoroughbred aftercare worldwide. IFAR works to 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.
IFAR has previously conducted conferences in conjunction with the 39th ARC in Melbourne, Australia in February 2023; 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. Virtual conferences were conducted in 2021 and 2022.
For more information about the 40th ARC, visit https://arcsapporo2024.com. For more information on IFAR, visit https://www.internationalracehorseaftercare.com or follow its social channels on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn.
A video replay of the conference will be available soon.
International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses