The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) will hold its 58th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities (ICHA) in Paris, France at Saint-Cloud Racecourse on 7 October.
This year’s Conference will have a particular focus on racing integrity, which is a key strategic priority of the IFHA. The Conference programme coincides with the highly anticipated release of the IFHA Racing Integrity Handbook, the first of its kind in the sport.
“Integrity will always be the fundamental pillar of racing,” said IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, who will deliver the Conference’s opening and closing remarks. “It is critical that we reinforce the importance of integrity, not only in racing, but also in other sports, and fully commit to continue uplifting integrity standards across all sports.”
Sports television presenter Rishi Persad will serve as the moderator for the Conference, which will convene key integrity leaders across racing and other major sports. Notably, Frank Clarke, Director of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) and Former Chief Justice of Ireland, will deliver the keynote speech regarding the need for robust systems that protect against legal challenges and issues.
Other esteemed speakers from outside of racing include Susan Ahern, Arbitrator at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and former Head of Legal and Legislative Affairs at World Rugby; Brett Clothier, Head of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU); Jenni Kennedy, Senior Director of Investigations at the International Tennis Integrity Agency; and Andrew Adams, Partner at international law firm Steptoe.
They will be joined by integrity leaders within racing including Andrew Harding, Executive Director of the IFHA;; Marc Van Gestel, Chief Stipendiary Steward at The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC); Jamie Stier, Executive General Manager Integrity Services at Racing Victoria; Cliodhna Guy, Head of Governance and Legal of the IHRB; Brant Dunshea, Chief Regulatory Officer at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA); and Martin Purbrick, Chair of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) Council on Anti-illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime.
The speakers will deliver presentations on various important matters relating to integrity in racing and other sports as well as participate in panel discussions during the day-long programme.
A live video stream of the 58th ICHA will be available on the IFHA’s website. A replay of the live video stream and presentations will be available in the days following the event.
The first International Conference of Horseracing Authorities was organised and hosted by the Société d'Encouragement in Paris, France, on October 9, 1967. Since 1994, the annual Conference has been organised by the IFHA. In 2023, the Conference convened delegates from about 40 different countries, with a number of other racing executives and media members in attendance.
