The International Thoroughbred Breeders' Federation (ITBF) has concluded its biennial Conference, this year hosted by the Fédération des Eleveurs du Galop (the French TBA) over five days.
Representatives from 25 of its 29 member countries and umbrella associations participiated in the programme, which began in Normandy with visits to leading stud farms such as Haras de Bonneval, Haras de Beaumont and Haras d'Etreham. They also enjoyed a tour of the cutting-edge Équine Vallée in Normandy, the international campus dedicated to equine health research.
Delegates were then transferred to Paris for the ITBF Veterinary Conference, followed by the all-day General Meeting. Topics discussed at the General Meeting included the breeding industry's ongoing lobbying of EU imposed transportation regulations, declining foal crops, stallion populations, lifetime traceability, the narrowing gene pool and early foal handling.
Meanwhile, Kirsten Rausing, chairman of the ITBF from 2017 to 2026, stood down from office at the General Meeting, saying, “The ITBF's work to protect our industry and its participants, equine and human, will continue apace for many years to come. As I retire from my post as ITBF chairman, I feel sure that the Federation is in very safe hands with my successor.”
Rausing will be succeeded by Lord Teddy Grimthorpe, whose chairmanship was ratified by the membership following his election by the ITBF Executive Committee.
In his acceptance speech, Lord Grimthorpe said, “I am deeply honoured that you [the membership] have entrusted the chairmanship to me. I will endeavour to ensure that the ITBF flourishes and continues to safeguard and uphold the values of the high standards required for a healthy bloodstock breeding industry throughout the world.”
In addition, ITBF members voted unanimously to continue to stand resolute against the use of all artificial breeding methods, while the close of the General Meeting was marked by a film tribute to Sam Sheppard CBE, founder of the ITBF – formerly the IBM (International Breeders' Meeting) – who passed away in February.
The ITBF Conference then drew to a close with delegates attending Sunday's meeting at ParisLongchamp, headlined by the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, the first French Classics of the season.
The ITBF, which works to advance and protect the interests of Thoroughbred breeders throughout the world, will hold its next General Meeting when India hosts in 2028.
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