The fourth International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) will be held in conjunction with the Asian Racing Conference (ARC), which is scheduled for Feb. 18-23, 2020, in Cape Town, South Africa. Both events are being hosted by the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) and the ARC local organizing committee, consisting of Phumelela Gaming and Leisure, the Racing Association, Gold Circle Racing and Gaming Group, Kenilworth Racing, and The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa.
IFAR will host sessions that span a range of topics related to aftercare, including case studies of aftercare practices in different jurisdictions, challenges facing regulators with regard to aftercare, and a discussion on IFAR's progress since its founding in 2017.
Di Arbuthnot, chair of the IFAR Steering Group, said, “There is a sense of genuine momentum being built up regarding the advance and development of aftercare measures around the world. This is an endorsement for the work done already by IFAR and it is to be hoped that IFAR, and in particular its annual international conference, has an important role to play in sustaining this momentum.
“What is also clear is that there is an increasing focus on equine welfare issues and it is in the interests of racing jurisdictions around the world to be equipped to deal with the inevitable pressure that will at some point be applied to them. In terms of aftercare, this is where IFAR can be of assistance.”
Andrew Harding, secretary-general of the ARF, said, “ARF is delighted to include the IFAR conference into this year's ARC main business programme as the care of Thoroughbreds at all stages of their lives is rightfully a prominent issue in the world of racing. By bringing together key representatives from racing authorities, practitioners, and other stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogues, we expect that this will assist to create achievable approaches to improve equine welfare for racing jurisdictions around the world.”
IFAR was previously held in conjunction with the European & Mediterranean Horseracing Federation's General Assembly in Oslo, Norway, in May 2019, the Asian Racing Conference in Seoul, South Korea, in May 2018, and the Pan American Conference in Washington, D.C., in May 2017.
For more information about the Asian Racing Conference and how to register, please visit arcsa2020.com.
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