The 41st Asian Racing Conference (ARC) closed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last night (Thursday, 12 February) at the Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel and Convention Centre, with Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chair, Asian Racing Federation and Chief Executive Officer, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, hailing the Conference as an enduring success which highlighted the sport’s greatest opportunities and also its challenges.

Praising the work of the Conference host, the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia and His Royal Highness Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, and the ARC Organising Committee, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said the ARC’s discussions reiterated the importance of increased collaboration and new technology as key motivators in safeguarding the sport’s future.

“If there is one message that cuts across all our discussions, it is this: the future of horse racing is under threat and can only be secured by working together to address the key challenges we face,” Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said at the ceremony crowned by the official exchange of the ARC flag to New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, host of the 42nd ARC in New Zealand in 2028.

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges continued: “I firmly believe we now have a mandate for change. We must act now. We must think and cooperate globally and implement nationally.”

“At the outset, I highlighted that we are in a critical phase for racing and breeding, and yet fragmentation within our sport is preventing us from tackling the challenges that confront us,” Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said. “I called for global collaboration and the need to make fundamental changes to the way we position, promote and operate our sport.

“Coming back to the Conference itself, we have heard from global experts and leaders, and shared best practices and case studies from around the world, which we hope have been informative.”

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges continued: “We must create heroes, create global competitions where the best meet the best, and create platforms with holistic storytelling to increase our fan base and promote our sport globally. We must use technology to create new digital onsite and online experiences. We must be more agile and embrace global initiatives like the World Pool to better compete against sports betting, iGaming and other entertainment offerings.

“We must continue our investment in science and technology to minimise the risk of catastrophic breakdowns and sudden death. The ARF Secretariat will develop an action plan of key activities for the short and medium term, to be discussed at the next Executive Council meeting. We will then communicate how we take the next steps together.”

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges praised the Conference’s speakers, who attended from all around the world, had provided thought-provoking examinations of the industry’s most pressing issues.

“I would also like to extend my gratitude to our speakers who have generously shared their time, expertise and insights,” he said.

“Staging such a wonderful event would not have been possible without the work done by our host, the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, and the ARC Organising Committee. Thank you, His Royal Highness Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal – your team has done a wonderful job.

“Last not least, my sincere thanks go to our truly outstanding moderator David Eades.  As always, his expertise, poise and ability to guide the discussions and engage the audience over the past three days have been instrumental in making this Conference a huge success. Finally, I would like to wish you all a Kung Hei Fat Choi for the Year of the Horse which begins on Tuesday (17 February). May it be a fantastic year for you and for the sport of horse racing.”

At Monday’s (9 February) opening ceremony, it was announced the Asian Racing Federation has unanimously re-elected Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges as Chair, Asian Racing Federation, a term which runs until the conclusion of the 42nd ARC in New Zealand in 2028.