The International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) announced 20 June that renowned broadcaster David Eades will serve as moderator for its upcoming conference. Scheduled for Tuesday, 27 August, the IFAR gathering will offer a full day programme incorporating both a traditional conference and a local facility visit, showcasing off-the-track Thoroughbreds.
The eighth IFAR will be held in conjunction with the 40th Asian Racing Conference (ARC), which is scheduled to take place 27 August – 1 September 2024, in Sapporo, Japan. Both events are being hosted by the Japan Racing Association (JRA) and supported by the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), and this will be the fourth time IFAR is held in conjunction with the Asian Racing Conference (ARC).
“We are thrilled to have David participating in IFAR,” said Dr. Eliot Forbes, Chair of the Conference Organising Committee. “IFAR serves as a platform for industry leaders to exchange best practices and collaborate on enhancing racehorse aftercare. David’s international profile and long-standing involvement with the ARF uniquely position him to contribute significant expertise and perspective to this important event.”
For over three decades, Eades has served as the BBC’s Europe Correspondent, Ireland Correspondent and Senior Sports News Correspondent, covering a wide range of issues. He is also a highly respected speaker and moderator, routinely discussing topics within sport, environment, climate, and sustainability.
“I am looking forward to moderating the IFAR conference,” said Eades. “Horse racing is a wonderful sport, and making sure the equine athletes are looked after following their racing careers is vitally important. IFAR helps move that conversation forward in a meaningful way.”
The 2024 IFAR conference is proudly supported by the JRA, which has also entered into a multi-year sponsorship agreement to support IFAR’s activities around the world.
Attendance at the IFAR event is complimentary for ARC delegates, and interested parties will be requested to indicate their participation as part of the ARC registration. For those interested in attending IFAR only, please email ifar@arcsapporo2024.com to inquire about registration. Register early, as space will be limited.
IFAR is an independent forum that recognises geographical and industry differences among racing countries and is designed to enhance Thoroughbred aftercare worldwide. Working with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), 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 on IFAR, visit https://www.internationalracehorseaftercare.com. For more information about the Asian Racing Conference and how to register, visit https://arcsapporo2024.com.
International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses