Global collaboration remains vital to horseracing’s sustained success and the 60th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities (ICHA) in Paris is a reminder of the timeless value and relevance of international cooperation.
Organised by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), this year’s milestone Conference will reflect on the IFHA’s major achievements since 1967, when the first International Conference of Horseracing Authorities was organised and hosted by the Société d’Encouragement in Paris.
Since 1994, the annual Conference has been convened by the IFHA and I am proud of the Federation’s accomplishments.
It is an honour that the keynote address at the ICHA’s 60th International Conference will be delivered by Princess Zahra Aga Khan, whose passion and understanding of international horseracing is outstanding.
For six decades, delegates from horseracing jurisdictions all over the world have gathered to share ideas and promote international cooperation with a view to advancing the sport. It is important now that we reflect on the key successes of the IFHA, while also examining the state of racing as it is today.
By combining a look at the past and the future, we hope to engage and inspire our members as we strive to improve international racing for many more decades to come as we confront issues such as illegal wagering operators, prediction markets and integrity-related matters.
This year’s conference features a presentation on the IFHA’s past 60 years by its Executive Director, Andrew Harding, followed by a panel discussion tracing the evolution of the IFHA and examining its current agenda.
In keeping with the IFHA’s purpose, the panel will include leading racing figures from around the world – Jim Gagliano, President and COO, The Jockey Club (US) and IFHA Vice-Chair; Brian Kavanagh, CEO, The Curragh and former IFHA Vice-Chair; Simon Cooper, former Vice Chair, International Stud Book Committee; and Frances Nelson, former Chair, Racing Australia. Murray Acklin, former Chair, Asian Racing Federation, will also provide pre-recorded video remarks.
In my role as IFHA Chairman, I will lead the second session of the Conference with an address exploring the current challenges facing the sport before I participate in a panel discussion aimed at leading racing toward a strong and sustainable future.
This panel includes Masayuki Goto, Executive Advisor, Japan Racing Association and IFHA Vice-Chair; Guillaume de Saint-Seine, President, France Galop; Everett Dobson, Chair, The Jockey Club (US); Suzanne Eade, CEO, Horse Racing Ireland; Felicity Barnard, CEO, Ascot; Teddy Grimthorpe, Chair, International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation; and Vee Moodley, Chief Executive, National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa.
Over the decades, the IFHA has been the platform for many robust and stimulating exchanges of ideas and I look forward to more of this as we celebrate, reflect and plan.
Hong Kong’s world-class racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (4 October) with the Class 3 Yau Kom Tau Handicap carded as Race 11 and to be run over 1200m at 5.45pm with prizemoney of HK$1.86 million.
The pace will be good with GOLD PATCH (Vincent Ho) attempting to cross to the lead from gate nine. LUCY IN THE SKY (Britney Wong) and SOLID STATE (Zac Purton) will also be prominent from MASTER PAYMENT (Alexis Badel).
There are several horses in this race whose connections hope will measure up for the lucrative Hong Kong Four-Year-Old Classic Series. SOLID STATE is among that group and creating a good impression when winning his only start last season as a three-year-old.
SOLID STATE ran well when second first-up this season over 1000m and, stepping to 1200m this preparation, will be ridden by Zac Purton. He has been working well and despite his 135lb, he is a win and place chance.
GOLD PATCH is another four-year-old who showed quality potential in his debut season, winning twice over this course and distance. He is fitter now and has the blinkers applied and he is a place chance.
GRAND EAGLE (Andrea Atzeni) makes his debut for new trainer James Cummings and he is a place chance along with MASTER PAYMENT.
RADIANT PATH (Matthew Chadwick) is an interesting newcomer for Cody Mo, who currently leads the Hong Kong trainers’ championship with eight wins. RADIANT PATH raced in Australia as SONOFKIRK and won as a two-year-old over 1000m before being competitive in top three-year-old sprints.
The G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has long been established as one of the greatest races in the world and on Sunday (4 October), our attention again turns to this famous contest in Paris.
The first of nine races on Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Day will be simulcast from ParisLongchamp at 7.31pm. The G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is carded as S4-4 and will be run over 2400m at 10.05pm.
DARYZ (Mickael Barzalona) won this race last year at only his seventh start on soft going, which was a remarkable achievement. A son of Arc winner SEA THE STARS out of fellow Group 1 winner DARYAKANA, who won the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin, DARYZ carries the colours of the late H.H. The Aga Khan IV – one of international racing’s greatest owners and breeders.
He returned to top form with victory in the G2 Prix Foy over this course and distance in September and he is a win and place chance.
KALPANA (Colin Keane) has enjoyed a tremendous season for Andrew Balding and shapes as the hardest to beat, while SEA THE STARS three-year-old MALTESE CROSS (Tom Marquand) is a Group 1 course and distance winner and is versatile on any going.
THUNDERING ON (Pierre-Charles Boudot), VARANDIR (Clement Lecoeuvre), DIAMOND NECKLACE (Christophe Soumillon) and BENVENUTO CELLINI (Ryan Moore) all have chances.
Source: HKJC