IFHA's Podcasts: Recent Episodes
IFHA
Listen to podcasts released by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), including the the 55th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities (2021), information on Minimum Horse Welfare Standards and the 54th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities (2020).
The 56th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organised by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), featured an interview by Rishi Persad of Tony Parker, who is a former National Basketball Association (NBA) player and current racing enthusiast. Together they delved into Parker’s experiences and insights on how to grow the sport.
The 55th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organised by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), featured a keynote address given by IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, who was recently elected as the new head of the Federation following Louis Romanet’s retirement.
The 55th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organised by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), featured a panel on digitalisation, which examined how racing must adapt and integrate new technologies and approaches to connect with the next generation of fans.
FOX Sports's Executive Vice President, Head of Strategy and Analytics, Michael Mulvihill discussed his experience in the field. He is responsible for scheduling, strategic planning, Nielsen ratings analysis, and advertising sales and communications support within FOX Sports and helped facilitate the successful partnership between his organization and the New York Racing Association (NYRA).
The 55th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organised by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), featured a panel on Equine Welfare, with a particular focus on the need for comprehensive traceability as well as retirement systems and pathways.
Jamie Stier and Di Arbuthnot discussed the progress of equine welfare in these areas around the world. Stier serves as Racing Victoria’s executive manager, integrity services, and in this role, he is responsible for equine welfare, veterinary services, stewarding, investigations and compliance, licensing, and prosecution of cases for integrity services. He was appointed Chair of the IFHA Horse Welfare Committee in 2015. Arbuthnot is the chief executive for Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), Great Britain’s official charity concerning the welfare of retired racehorses. She also is the Chair of the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) and has been instrumental in the formation of the forum in order to share best practices globally.
The 55th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organised by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), featured a discussion on climate change and sustainability, with a look at the threat posed by climate change to all industries, including racing and sport, and the expected opportunities and challenges to racing and breeding in achieving net zero emission.
Allen Hershkowitz, a Founding Director and Chairman of Sport and Sustainability International and Environmental Science Advisor to the New York Yankees, was the featured speaker.
The Horse Welfare Committee of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) has produced guidance on standards for the care and welfare of horses at different times of their life, which is in line with its terms of reference that include promoting best practice, harmonization and information exchange across racing nations. Titled “IFHA Minimum Horse Welfare Standards”, this paper complements recent reforms which will ensure the traceability of horses from their foal stage through into retirement and beyond.
In conjunction with the publication of the IFHA Minimum Horse Welfare Standards, a short video and podcast have been produced, featuring IFHA Horse Welfare Committee Chairman Jamie Stier, who is also the Executive General Manager, Integrity Services, Racing Victoria; Professor Emeritus David Mellor, Foundation Director of the Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre at Massey University, New Zealand; and Dr Lynn Hillyer, Chief Veterinary Officer and Head of Anti-Doping for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. The panel iss moderated by esteemed British racing presenter Rishi Persad.
The 54th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), concluded 14th October 2020 by examining ways the industry can prepare for and sustain racing post-pandemic.
The fourth and final video session was introduced by IFHA Vice-Chairman Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, who is also the CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Rishi Persad then moderated two panels, the first with Victoria Carter (New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing), Engelbrecht-Bresges, and Annamarie Phelps (British Horseracing Authority), and the second with Horacio Esposito (Organización Sudamericana de Fomento del Pura Sangre de Carrera), Drew Fleming (Breeders’ Cup Ltd.), and IFHA Vice-Chairman Brian Kavanagh (Horse Racing Ireland).
The 54th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), continued 12th October 2020 with a discussion on participating and working in racing during the on-going pandemic.
The third session was introduced by IFHA Vice-Chairman Brian Kavanagh, who is the chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland. Rishi Persad then moderated a panel featuring leading trainers and jockeys from around the globe. The pre-recorded Zoom discussion included trainers Charlie Appleby (Great Britain), Ger Lyons (Ireland), and Chris Waller (Australia) as well as jockeys Hollie Doyle (Great Britain) and Zac Purton (Hong Kong).
This international panel of trainers and jockeys talked through their experiences participating in racing during a pandemic, including the challenges surrounding staffing and how they are meeting the needs of owners. In addition, they offered commentary and feedback to racing administrators on concerns they have going forward as well as provided insight on the impact the pandemic and its restrictions have had on the mental health of both humans and horses.
The second of four virtual panels of the 54th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), was released 7th October 2020. It features a discussion on adapting the broadcast, production, and media experience to a COVID-19 racing and sporting landscape.
The second session was introduced by IFHA Vice-Chairman Jim Gagliano, the president and COO of The Jockey Club. Rishi Persad, the moderator for the conference, then talked to an international panel about covering racing in the middle of a pandemic. The pre-recorded Zoom discussion included Francesca Cumani (ITV), Katherine Ford (Equidia/Sky Sports Racing), Rob Hyland (NBC Sports), Jason Richardson (Channel 7/Racing.com), and Shigeru Suzuki (Japan Racing Association).
The 54th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), kicked off 5th of October 2020 in its new virtual format. The first video in a multi-part series begins by focusing on sustaining the business of horseracing, as well as sports in general, in the midst of a pandemic and economic uncertainty.
After IFHA Vice-Chairman Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, who is the CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, read a welcome letter on behalf of IFHA Chairman Louis Romanet, the initial session was introduced by IFHA Vice-Chairman Brian Kavanagh. The first panel, which was moderated by Rishi Persad, featured a pre-recorded Zoom discussion between Shannon Bishop Arvin (Keeneland Association), Stephen Cook, (IMG), Olivier Delloye (France Galop), William Derby (York Racecourse), and Andrew Harding (Hong Kong Jockey Club).