IFHA

Edited Press Release Now sitting atop the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings on 121, National Treasure (Quality Road) and Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) both began their 2024 campaigns in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. in January, which saw the former defeat Senor Buscador by a neck. Following that effort, they both travelled to the Middle East to compete in the G1 Saudi Cup. Senor Buscador raced in the back of the field before rallying to defeat Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) by a head, who was weighted on 120...

A new equine anti-doping and medication control initiative was announced by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) on Thursday. The initiative underpins their commitment to the regulation of medicine use and zero tolerance of doping in horse racing on both sides of the Irish Sea. The IHRB and BHA are now formally conducting joint out-of-competition-testing operations across both jurisdictions. These inspections started this week with almost 250 samples taken from more than 120 horses that are entered for the upcoming Cheltenham Festival in an...

LONDON, UK -- Japan stole the show at the Longines World Racing Awards in London, with Silk Racing's Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) named the Longines World's Best Racehorse for 2023 while the G1 Japan Cup claimed the title of Longines World's Best Horse Race. The top-rated three-year-old filly in the world was Japan's Triple Tiara winner Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). Equinox's top rating of 135 - the highest ever awarded to a Japanese horse - was achieved in his four-length romp in the Japan Cup, his final appearance...

A memorandum of agreement, with an eye toward improving the Thoroughbred industry through collaboration, has been signed by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and the International Thoroughbred Breeders' Federation (ITBF), the two organisations announced on Thursday. The global leaders for Thoroughbred racing and breeding will work together on matters of mutual interest which impact the breeding industry. Through a dedicated working party of senior officials that represents members' interests from around the world, the two federations will meet regularly to discuss ideas, share information, provide expert advice, and...

The PowerPoint presentations and video replay from the 57th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, held earlier this month at Saint-Cloud Racecourse in France, can now be found at the IFHA website. Additionally, the replay of the International Conference for the Health, Safety and Welfare of Jockeys (ICHSWJ) is also available on the IFHA website. The Conference was chaired by Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and focused on safeguarding equine welfare and exploring shifts in societal expectations, as well as the racing industry's response around the...

The first edition of the International Conference for the Health, Safety and Welfare of Jockeys (ICHSWJ) since the Covid-19 pandemic began was held at Auteuil Racecourse in Paris on Thursday, Sept. 28. Topics of the conference featured presentations and panels on concussions, spinal injuries, and mental health and psychological fitness before concluding with recently retired third-generation jockey Tom Scudamore providing his reflections on the conference. Tom Stanley served as moderator. The conference began with a presentation on management of concussion by Dr. Jerry Hill, Chief Medical Adviser, British Horseracing Authority...

The 57th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities will take place on Oct. 2 at Saint-Cloud Racecourse. This year's conference, organized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), will focus on safeguarding equine welfare and explore shifts in societal expectations and the racing industry's response around the world. The Conference will examine both immediate concerns and forward-looking initiatives to protect and promote equine welfare. "The well-being of the equine athlete must always be at the forefront of the decisions we make," IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said. "I look forward to...

The ThoroughBid Online Yearling Sale will be the first yearling auction of its kind held by a UK auction house on Nov. 8. All yearlings sold will have the chance to win ThoroughBid's £5,000 Every 1's a Winner Bonus for their new connections. In order to qualify for the bonus, the sale graduate must win on debut under rules either as a 2- or 3-year-old in a Flat race held in any IFHA member territory. Entries for the ThoroughBid Online Yearling Sale close on Sunday, Oct. 8. CEO of ThoroughBid,...

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) provided this Q&A with questions submitted by Craig Bandoroff of Denali Stud. Although I've read explanations and have had people try to explain it to me I still don't understand why we test to such a small level.  As I understand it a picogram is one-trillionth of a gram.  How can that have any affect on a 1200-lb horse?  Why do we test to such a small level?  Are we using the ARCI recommended guidelines? It is important to remember that a picogram...

Carl Hamilton, since 1994 the president of The Jockey Club Information Systems (TJCIS), has retired as of Dec. 31, 2022. Hamilton will remain in role as chairman of BloodHorse and will continue to represent The Jockey Club on a variety of national and international committees related to the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers (SITA). Matt Iuliano will be nominated for election as president of TJCIS and continue as executive director and executive vice president of The Jockey Club. "Carl's leadership of TJCIS...

The in-person 2022 Longines World Racing Awards will be held at Banqueting House in London, England on Jan. 17, 2023, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) announced on Friday. The 10th edition of the ceremony will honour the highest-rated horses in the 2022 Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings as well as the Longines World's Best Horse Race. Connections of the winners will receive Longines timepieces. The Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings are established by international handicappers according to the performance of the horses in top races. The highest-rated race...

The 56th International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) Conference was held Monday in Paris and the focus was on key challenges and opportunities, including the issues of integrity and fan engagement, facing the industry around the globe. "Integrity lies at the foundation of our sport and must inform every decision that we make," said IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. "The pandemic has inherently changed the way that fans and punters enjoy and participate in horse racing. A good digital customer experience is key, and the general trend of digital evolution further...