Upholding integrity in racing was the main focus of the 58th Worldwide Convention of Horseracing Authorities, organized by the Worldwide Federation of Horseracing Authorities, that occurred Oct. 7 in Paris at Saint-Cloud Racecourse.
Over 150 delegates from roughly 40 completely different international locations heard from key leaders from racing and different main sports activities in quite a few shows and panel discussions. The general program examined key integrity threats and classes discovered from earlier circumstances with a purpose to exhibit how racing can make the most of cutting-edge approaches and methods to guard the game.
“Integrity is the muse on which our sport is constructed and subsequently defending integrity is crucial for the credibility and recognition of our sport,” stated IFHA chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, who delivered the convention’s opening and shutting remarks.
“We’ve got to supply a level-playing discipline in order that our members really feel comfy to compete. With out the very best requirements of integrity, our sport loses the belief and confidence of our clients and different key stakeholders, which then locations the existence of our business at stake. With latest occasions exhibiting how pervasive integrity threats are these days, racing should proceed to prepared the ground in defending sports activities integrity.” Â
Justice Frank Clarke, director of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board and former Chief Justice of Eire, delivered the keynote speech and mentioned the necessity for sturdy methods that shield in opposition to authorized challenges. Clarke highlighted the very important significance of what he believes are the “three pillars” of racing integrity: up-to-date guidelines of racing, sound processes, and unbiased decision-makers.
Different audio system from outdoors of racing included Susan Ahern, arbitrator on the Courtroom of Arbitration for Sport and former Head of Authorized and Legislative Affairs at World Rugby; Brett Clothier, head of the Athletics Integrity Unit; Jenni Kennedy, senior director of investigations on the Worldwide Tennis Integrity Company; and Andrew Adams, companion at worldwide regulation agency Steptoe.
Integrity leaders from inside racing who offered included Andrew Harding, govt director of the IFHA; Marc Van Gestel, chief stipendiary steward at The Hong Kong Jockey Membership; Jamie Stier, govt basic supervisor integrity companies at Racing Victoria; Cliodhna Man, head of governance and authorized of the IHRB; Brant Dunshea, chief regulatory officer on the British Horseracing Authority; and Martin Purbrick, chair of the Asian Racing Federation Council on Anti-illegal Betting and Associated Monetary Crime.
Key integrity-related developments in racing had been additionally introduced in the course of the convention, notably the transition of the ARF Council to the IFHA, in addition to the official launch of the IFHA Racing Integrity Handbook.
“The discharge of the Racing Integrity Handbook is a significant achievement for the IFHA and its dedication to upholding integrity in our sport,” stated Harding. “It’s the first of its form in horse racing, and certainly probably the most complete such doc produced for any sport.
“We count on it to be a precious useful resource to be used by all jurisdictions, and we’re grateful for the collective efforts of the 25-plus international regulators and integrity consultants that immediately contributed to the publishing of the handbook.”
See the IFHA Racing Integrity Handbook on the IFHA web site
“As racing globalises additional, the integrity of racing will probably be important to confidence in each the game itself in addition to betting on the end result, recognising that wagering revenue is in lots of circumstances the principal income,” Harding wrote within the handbook’s preface. “To make sure confidence within the administration of the operating of racing, a handbook that clearly defines good practices inside an integrity mannequin is required.
“The Handbook is advisory—it’s for steerage, and never prescriptive. The Handbook explains good practices in a variety of racing guidelines, administration, and operations which can be supplied by recognised main practitioners from the game.”
The IFHA Council on Anti-illegal Betting and Associated Crime is the results of the collaboration between key racing our bodies, as it’s transferring from the Asian Racing Federation to the IFHA.
“The council has develop into a longtime sports activities integrity suppose tank, and its affect, function and targets are actually international in nature,” stated Purbrick. “On behalf of the council, I wish to thank each the IFHA and the ARF for his or her unwavering help of our work, and look ahead to contributing to the integrity targets of the IFHA, horse racing, and sport generally.”
Moreover, in the course of the IFHA Normal Meeting, Brian Kavanagh, the IFHA’s vice-chair in Europe, was honored upon the announcement of his retirement from the IFHA.
A replay of the reside video stream and shows will probably be out there within the coming days.
This press launch has been edited for content material and elegance by BloodHorse Employees.
