Former Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Jamie Stier believes greater collaboration between horse racing authorities, scientists and researchers can help the sport overcome equine welfare concerns, which he describes as “the single biggest challenge” facing the industry.

Speaking at the 40th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Sapporo, Japan, Mr Stier said: “Despite our concerted efforts to better understand a range of catastrophic injuries, it remains the case that often we just don’t have enough high-quality evidence to be able to predict when such incidences are likely to occur.

“It is critical that scientific research and data presented to the racing industry is practically capable of leading to tangible improvements in equine safety.

“That is, racing must be supporting researchers – with financial and other resources – to deliver researched-based outcomes that we can use practically to generate and demonstrate change.

“What I would like to see is researchers and scientists playing a more holistic role in the entire process. One that goes beyond conducting research and clinical studies, and sees them involved in racing-specific roles, such as assisting regulators to develop new systems, protocols or policies, or helping trainers implement new training methods that reduce injury risks.

“This requires a commitment from racing authorities to convert the science into concrete outcomes.”

Mr Stier, Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) Horse Welfare Committee and Head of Integrity at Racing Victoria Limited, outlined his concerns in a session titled: Horses: Enhancing Equine Safety & Industry Sustainability.

“As a racing regulator and administrator who has been involved in the sport for almost 40 years across three of the world’s leading racing jurisdictions, I genuinely believe that the threat posed to racing due to horse welfare issues is the single biggest global challenge the industry has faced,” Mr Stier said.

“Each jurisdiction has endured their own individual challenges from time to time, however the deaths of horses in racing or training have been shown to have global reach.

“For a growing number of people, the use of any animal in the sport is no longer acceptable and this means the sport is no longer acceptable and this means that the spotlight will increasingly shine on what our industry is doing to protect our horses.

“These events are highly visible with our coverage on TV and online, are easily distributed via social media and in many cases the topics of conversations in mainstream outlets.

“They are also extremely upsetting for viewers, racegoers, industry participants like and serve as cannon fodder for our sport’s detractors.”

But Mr Stier believes well-funded research, accessible experts, tangible evidence to improve outcomes for horses and communication from an independent scientist at the time of an injury or fatality can help overcome the challenges.

“So, what we would be promoting in times of crisis is an understandable and robust presentation of the data that demonstrates statistically low rates, together with the ongoing studies being pursued to further reduce these events occurring,” Mr Stier said.

“I think that would go a long way to shifting the debate away from the radical hyperbole to a more sustainable impact-based discussion.

“The sway held in the court of public opinion of regulators delivering messages on injuries and fatalities in times of crisis does not match that of an easily understandable message delivered by an independent scientist.”

Mr Stier said clarity of communication will also be vital in getting industry stakeholders, at all levels, to work together to achieve tangible improvements in horse safety.

He advocated for greater international collaboration between different research institutions, equine disciplines and racing authorities, and he said he would be pleased to be involved in facilitating this wherever possible.

“I am hopeful that we are on a new path towards greater collaboration between racing and science in delivering more tangible improvements in horse safety,” Mr Stier said.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges opened the three-day Business Programme with a presentation dubbed Racing: State Of Play on Wednesday (28 August).

Re-elected in a resounding vote of confidence as Asian Racing Federation Chairman, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges delivered an update on key post-pandemic trends in racing, breeding and wagering, while exploring the most pressing issues facing the industry today.

Mr Andrew Harding, Secretary General, Asian Racing Federation and Hong Kong Jockey Club Executive Director, Racing; Mr Michael Fitzsimons, Hong Kong Jockey Club Executive Director, Wagering Products; Mr Dennis Hau, Hong Kong Jockey Club Executive Director, Customer Strategy, Insights and Innovation; Mr Tom Chignell, Hong Kong Jockey Club Executive Manager, Racing Integrity and Betting Analysis and Mr James Porteous, Hong Kong Jockey Club Senior Manager, Due Diligence and Research, also played prominent roles across the business programme.

The ARC was first held in Tokyo in 1960 and, with more than 800 attendees, is now the largest horse racing industry conference in the world.