World's biggest racing forum opens in Dubai


by Howard Wright

WORLD horseracing’s biggest talking shop, the Asian Racing Conference, was officially opened in Dubai on Sunday night, ahead of four days of intense debate, discussion and, almost certainly, degrees of difference among senior administrators.

The conference is organised by the 20-member Asian Racing Federation, whose representation stretches from Turkey to New Zealand, covering countries that account for 48.9 per cent of the world’s prize-money and a similar percentage of all betting turnover.

Its appearance in Dubai for the 31st renewal, under the auspices of the Emirates Racing Authority, is the first in the Middle East and thrusts past and present firmly together, as a record number of more than 700 delegates follow a schedule that covers business and operational sessions, and one day of workshops.

Introducing the official opening at a dazzling ceremony in the Madinat Jumeirah arena, ERA chairman Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayet Al Nahyan said: “Both the horse and the sport of horseracing are intrinsic to the culture and heritage of the people of the UAE, which is a progressive nation, boldly driving towards a technology- and knowledge-based future. Yet we are mindful of our proud heritage and cultural roots.

“The conference will be an appropriate forum for review, as we draw on the experiences of the past and look forward to the challenges facing the industry in the future.”

The conference has been given the working title Racing Without Borders, and ARF chairman Larry Wong said: “The theme reflects the ARF’s continuing focus on developing its racing within the context of an increasingly globalised sport.”

Wong, who is officiating at his last major function before retiring as Hong Kong Jockey Club chief executive, added: “As ever, the conference programme offers opportunities to share best practice in specialist fields, as well as to debate the broader issues of our industry and its future direction.”

Every area of racing is being covered, from breeding and betting to racing and welfare, and for the first time important figures from outside the sport have been called up to add their views.  They include Australian author and journalist Les Carlyon, International Cricket Council chief executive Malcolm Speed, Paris-based media rights expert Jean-Francois Jeanne and Orlando Magic basketball vice-president Pat Williams.

Although naturally dominated by southern hemisphere interests, the conference venue’s central positioning has encouraged the organisers to attract more European involvement than previously.

Among speakers or panel membersare Levy Board chairman Sir Tristram Ricketts, France-Galop director-general Louis Romanet, Weatherbys racing
director Paull Khan, Ireland’s Denis Egan and Dermot Weld, and Benny Carlsson from the Swedish Jockey Club.

British racing administration is represented by BHB acting chief executive Chris Brand, former executive director Christopher Foster for the Jockey Club, and a three-man Horseracing Regulatory Authority squad comprising John Bridgeman, Nigel Macfarlane and Malcolm Wallace.

Both UK racing satellite channels, At The Races and Racing UK, as well as SIS, have sent delegates.

The BHB has a presence in the accompanying trade exhibition, where James Oldring will represent the depleted marketing operation, alongside Gavin Pritchard-Gordon and Louise Kemble from the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.

Irish representation is headed by Horse Racing Ireland chief executive Brian Kavanagh, backed by the ubiquitous Irish Thoroughbred Marketing team.

[ 本帖最後由 Kris 於 22/1/2007 08:56 PM 編輯 ]

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