They’re Off: Asian Racing Conference 2014

THEY’RE OFF: ASIAN RACING CONFERENCE 2014 By Michele MacDonald 
With the clang of a giant gong hanging in a huge golden horseshoe, the 35th Asian Racing Conference sprang to life during exotic opening ceremonies in Hong Kong yesterday, featuring kung fu performers, a children’s choir, musicians and a champagne toast prior to a gala dinner. 
Nearly 800 delegates–a conference record–and speakers from around the world–including American officials such as The Jockey Club President James Gagliano and Breeders’ Cup President Craig Fravel– 
have gathered in one of Asia’s most thriving markets to participate in meetings that will follow the dinner at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre through May 8. 
“It promises to be a most exciting few days ahead,” said Brian Stevenson, Hong Kong Jockey Club chairman, in a welcome speech in which he described Hong Kong as “a city which one can truly say has horse racing in its DNA.” 
Since this year marks the 130th anniversary of the HKJC as well as the year of the horse under the Chinese zodiac, it is particularly apt that Hong Kong hosts the ARC for the third time, but the first since 1991, Stevenson said. In the intervening 23 years, Hong Kong has risen as a global power in racing, the conference has emerged as the largest among executives in the sport, and wagering among the member Asian Racing Federation nations has grown to annually account for about 60% of global betting on racing: about $75 billion as of 2012. 
“The Asian Racing Conferences have been the genesis of many breakthroughs, including commingling of global betting and protocols for racing and drug control,” said Dr. Koji Sato of Japan, chairman of the Asian Racing Federation, in additional welcoming remarks. “I am confident that this week will produce many other good ideas.” 
Even before the first official session kicks off today–a discussion titled “Racing’s lifeblood: the future landscape for wagering”–work began with several private meetings before the opening ceremonies. Members of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities’ executive council, the Asian Racing Federation executive council, the Asian Pattern Committee and the Asian Stud Book Conference met to discuss business beyond the bounds of the upcoming public meetings. 
In a brief news release, the Hong Kong Jockey Club indicated that the IFHA executive council meeting represented a landmark as the panel had not previously convened during an ARC. 
There has been some talk among racing officials that Hong Kong leaders would like to move the IFHA base from Paris to Hong Kong. Currently, the organization’s executive council includes 13 leaders from IFHA member nations in Europe, Asia and the Americas that annually meet after the running of the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October. 
While there were no specific details revealed in the statement on the IFHA executive council meeting, members were said to have “considered major policy issues including proposals on the international harmonization of anti-doping control, forensic testing laboratory certification and the genetic integrity of Thoroughbreds.” 
In another of the pre-conference meetings yesterday, about 200 delegates reportedly attended the first-ever Racecourse Operations Seminar, which was organized at Sha Tin Racecourse by the HKJC Director of Racing Operations John Ridley and his staff. 
Among the topics covered at that session were benchmarks and performance parameters for racetracks; planning and renewal for sustainable tracks; floodlight installation and integration with broadcasting systems, and racing talent management. Takashi Nagashima, chief starter for the Japan Racing Association, also addressed starting gates and starts. 
Additionally, about 71 delegates from 28 racing jurisdictions attended the 5th International Stewards’ Conference, held at Happy Valley Racecourse and chaired by the HKJC Chief Stipendiary Steward Kim Kelly. Continuing efforts toward harmonization of racing rules around the world was the main focus of that meeting, according to a statement issued by the HKJC. 
Meetings during the three days of the conference will cover topics including: 
–Fair competition and drug control, at which Gagliano and IFHA Chairman Louis Romanet will speak; 

–The Pattern race system, which will be discussed by a panel chaired by William Nader, former New York Racing Association official who currently oversees racing conducted by the HKJC, and including Brian Kavanagh of Horse Racing Ireland and The Jockey Club executive Carl Hamilton; 

–Cutting edge technology in sports television, which will include Gagliano, The Jockey Club of Turkey’s Burak Konuk and Gary Burns of FOX SPORTS Australia as speakers; 

–Racing and breeding in mainland China; 

–Sports integrity, and 

–Big events, which will be discussed by speakers including Fravel, Nader, Kavanagh and Martin Talty of the Dubai Racing Club.