On 7 August, the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) revealed its complete line up of speakers for the upcoming IFAR 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 ARC.
“IFAR has firmly established itself as the premier forum for industry leaders to convene, discuss thoroughbred aftercare, share best practices, and shape the future,” said Dr Eliot Forbes, Chair of the Conference Organising Committee. “The exceptional caliber of speakers we have gathered this year not only underscores the importance of this forum but also highlights the widespread recognition of aftercare as a critical industry issue.”
As previously announced, the day will begin with a trip to Sapporo Racecourse, where there is a JRA equestrian facility that works with retired racehorses. Then, in the afternoon, JRA President and CEO Masayoshi Yoshida will officially open the conference, while English football legend and Thoroughbred enthusiast Michael Owen will deliver its keynote address. Renowned broadcaster David Eades will serve as moderator.
Additional speakers scheduled to take part in the conference include Sarah Coleman, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Council; Helena Flynn, Programme Director at Horse Welfare Board; Dr Atsushi Kikuta, Director of Equine and Stewards Department for the JRA; Dr Roly Owers, Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare; Natasha Rose, Executive Manager, Equestrian Affairs Projects for the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC); and Dr Jane Williams, professor and Head of Research at Hartpury University. Biographies for all speakers are available here.
Coleman will discuss developing safety net programs to assist retiring racehorses; Flynn and Williams will present on tracking the traceability of British Thoroughbreds; Kikuta will cover the second careers of Thoroughbreds in Japan; Owers will present on emerging perspectives on community trust; and Rose will discuss equestrian industry views on Thoroughbred suitability and versatility. Furthermore, several videos will be shown throughout the conference which highlight successful avenues for retired runners.
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, visit https://arcsapporo2024.com.
International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses