Dr Koji Sato, Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation
The 35th Asian Racing Conference closed with two fascinating final sessions dedicated to Racing and Breeding in Mainland China. The first of these sessions, chaired by Asian Racing Federation Chairman Dr Koji Sato, commenced with an overview of horse racing in Mainland China over the past 20 years, presented by Dr Kim Mak, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, summarising the key racecourses and racing clubs that have emerged, and in some cases subsequently closed. Dr Kyo Shimizu of the JAIRS Registration Department told attendees about the need for education in China regarding thoroughbred registration.
Tian Hua, Deputy Secretary General of the China Equestrian Association (CEA), said: “Although the Chinese horse industry has a short history, horseracing has been picking up rapidly over the past few years and the China Equestrian Association is working to actively promote the development of horse racing. The future Chinese racing development needs more international support, and support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and from the Asian Racing Federation,” she continued. “We sincerely welcome friends from around the world to cooperate with us to jointly promote the prosperity and development of Chinese horse racing, the industry and horse culture.”
Madam Tian spoke of the Chinese Government’s approach to the international development of horse racing and outlined the official structure under which horse racing is organised in China, with the sport coming under the jurisdiction of the China Equestrian Association, the officially permitted body under the auspices of China’s General Administration of Sport (GAS). “The sport has already become a key project in the development of Chinese sport and has gathered support from the government,” she said. “The CEA aims to enhance the regulatory and technical standard of Chinese equestrians; promote the link among all members and deepen the friendship between the CEA and equestrian associations from around the world, and cooperation with the ARF and other international associations,” added Madam Tian, who also told delegates that China would wish to engage with the industry to improve infrastructure, including the training of participants.
Professor Han Guocai, Vice Chairman of the China Horse Industry Association, looked at the history, current situation and future outlook for the horse industry in China. He told delegates that China had 29 indigenous breeds; 13 new breeds since the 1950s and 10 imported breeds, including about 3,000 thoroughbreds, of which about 400 had been registered in the China Stud Book. He noted that China had 16 racetracks with sufficient facilities to host horse races. “We would like support from the international racing community; help to organise races and integrate the resources of owners in China with international organisations; we are keen to learn, to upgrade, to improve; and we want to contribute to horseracing in China and the world.”
At the session, Dr Chris Riggs, HKJC’s Head of Veterinary Clinical Services, gave attendees an insight into the equestrian veterinary landscape in China. In outlining the current challenges, he noted the lack of qualified vets, their low status in Chinese society, and the dearth of necessary clinical facilities, as well as the absence of drugs, and the regulatory restrictions that hinder the involvement of overseas vets. But he also noted some positive developments, including among other things, the commitment of dedicated young vets on the ground. “The Hong Kong Jockey Club has a genuine wish to support horse welfare in Mainland China, develop relevant skills and share our skills and knowledge,” he said.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges
Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, chaired the second of the final sessions at which he said: “We had a very open and fact-finding first session where we should note that the equestrian industry in China was calling on us to assist in their development. It’s important the ARF helps China in establishing a regulatory framework with a major focus on building capabilities in China.”
HKJC Executive Director of Racing, Mr William A Nader, updated delegates about the Club’s ongoing Conghua training centre development: “This is one of the biggest projects in the history of the Jockey Club. Our training centre at Conghua has one purpose: to sustain and support the great racing that we enjoy in Hong Kong.”
The session also heard from Teo Ah Khing, Chairman of China Horse Club. A further panel discussion brought comment from Patrick Baker, Project Manager at Meydan, who told delegates about logistical issues of the recent Meydan Group race meeting staged at Chengdu; IFHA President Louis Romanet, who highlighted the need for a central horse racing authority to implement and regulate national rules of racing; Dr Edward Tse of Gao Feng Advisory Company and Michael Connolly of Red Mills Feeds, who described doing business in China as “a rollercoaster of learning.”
Closing – Engelbrecht-Bresges New Chairman as baton passes to India
Beginning with an opening ceremony and gala dinner on Monday, 5 May, the 35th Asian Racing Conference welcomed a record number of almost 800 delegates to four days of meetings, business sessions and other events, including an evening at Happy Valley racecourse to witness the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) Trophy race. ARF Chairman, Dr Koji Sato, presiding over his final ARC in his current role, thanked the hosts for a memorable week. “On behalf of my Executive Council, I would like to thank our host, Mr Brian Stevenson, Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and the 35th ARC Organising Committee, and the entire staff of the Hong Kong Jockey Club for providing us with the opportunity to gather here in Hong Kong.” After thanking all the speakers and presenters for their invaluable input, Dr Sato continued: “This has been a tremendous conference with 15 different sessions, all very important to bring racing to new heights. If any conclusion can be drawn from this Conference, it would be to identify the means by which we can create greater economic value and protect the integrity of the sport we love.”
New Chairman Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges presents a souvenir to thank Dr Koji Sato for his five years as Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation
Welcoming delegates and guests from all over the world to the final event of the conference, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr T Brian Stevenson, said: “It’s really been quite wonderful for all of us at the Hong Kong Jockey Club to play host to the world’s largest and most important racing conference and to offer you our warmest hospitality over these past few days. There has been a very real sense that this week’s presentations have been geared towards material that has real practical applicability across the range of countries who are represented here. Greater international collaboration is clearly a must for the racing industry to maintain its competitiveness and popular appeal in the face of so many other competing forms of gaming and entertainment today. I believe we can achieve that.
On behalf of the host city and the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Stevenson thanked everyone for their attendance, their support and their contributions to the success of this event. Those present then enjoyed an evening of entertainment, featuring an exciting mix of music, dance and acrobatics.
Mr Andrew Harding, Secretary-General of the ARF, announced that Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges will succeed Dr Sato as Chairman of the organisation. Taking up the role as Chairman of the ARF, this will be a second term of office for Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges, who was previously ARF Chairman from 2007 to 2009. His term begins with immediate effect. Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges is also Vice-Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.
Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges announces that India will become the host country for the 36th ARC
“I feel very honoured to take office as the Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation and I would like to thank my colleagues for the great support and trust they have put in me,” he said. “Racing has a major challenge ahead but I feel that the ARF has always taken great leadership in meeting such challenges, and I’m confident that with the great teamwork we have on the ARF Council we will manage these challenges.” Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges warmly thanked outgoing Chairman Dr Sato, saying: “I want to acknowledge my friend, my dear colleague Dr Koji Sato for his tremendous leadership as Chairman of the ARF. The great thing with Dr Sato, or I would call him my friend Koji, is that he has this wonderful knowledge he has gained as one of the finest racing administrators in Japan. He brought his own personal brand into the ARC and ARF, which is wisdom and diplomacy.”
The final act of the 35th ARC was the official handover of the Asian Racing Federation flag to the host of the 36th ARC, India, which will hold the event in Mumbai in early 2016.
