Three of South African horseracing’s key players are amongst an impressive list of around 40 guest speakers attending the 40th Asian Racing Conference which is being held in Sapporo, Japan, from Tuesday 27 August to Sunday 1 September.
Cape Racing Chairman Greg Bortz (Pic – Supplied)
The trio includes National Horseracing Authority CEO Vee Moodley and Cape Racing Chairman Greg Bortz, arguably two of the most powerful players in South African racing, and SAEHP Managing Director Adrian Todd.
They will attend the session on Thursday titled Developments: Big Changes Across The Arc Footprint, which will be chaired by Vee Moodley.
The Sporting Post will endeavour to publish the various discussions as and when they become available.
NHA CEO Vee Moodley (Pic – Supplied)
Since the Conference was first convened in Tokyo in 1960, the ARC has developed into a leading international forum for addressing opportunities and challenges in racing.
The ARC continues to foster collaboration between racing and stakeholders and returns to the place of its birth for the occasion of its 40th edition, where it will continue building on the legacy of its predecessors.
Located on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, Sapporo is perhaps most well-known to overseas visitors for having hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics.
To the global horseracing industry, Sapporo provides a gateway into the very heart of the Japanese thoroughbred industry, with Hokkaido being home to over 700 breeding farms accounting for more than 90% of the nationwide total.
SAEHP MD Adrian Todd (Pic – Supplied)
Internationally, Japan has developed into one of the leading nations in breeding, with Japanese runners climbing to new heights around the world.
This year also marks a significant milestone for the Japan Racing Association (JRA) as it celebrates its 70th anniversary. Since its founding, the JRA’s achievements on the global stage have gone from strength to strength. From breeding to racing, Japan’s prowess is truly remarkable, as evidenced by Equinox being named the 2023 Longines World’s Best Racehorse and the Japan Cup (Gr1) being named the 2023 Longines World’s Best Horse Race.
Themed ‘Be Connected, Stride Together’, the 40th ARC aims to support deeper collaboration and partnerships amongst ARF members and stakeholders which will ensure the long term prosperity of racing.
