Executive Council to serve through 2018
3 June 2015, New York, USA ~ During its meeting at the 2015 Pan American Conference, the Executive Council of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) re-elected for a term of three years incumbent Chairman Louis Romanet and current Vice-Chairmen Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (Asia), Jim Gagliano (Americas), and Brian Kavanagh (Europe). The term will encompass October 2015 through October 2018.
Following the election, Romanet expressed his core objectives for his eighth mandate as Chairman of the Federation. “In an increasingly globalized industry, the IFHA must remain focused on its mission as a conduit of good regulation and practices on international matters,” said Romanet. “With the newly re-elected Vice-Chairmen we will develop an action plan in order to meet the Federation’s goals for the next three years.”
Romanet detailed the main strategic aims for the IFHA. He would like to see the organization:
Implement a global anti-doping policy through the certification of labs, harmonization of drug control, and out-of-competition testing. The foundations of such a policy have already been built with Article 6 of the IABRW extensively reorganized and 5 laboratories across all regions selected for initial performance capability assessment and certification.
Achieve a no medication on race-day policy for all IFHA member countries
Advance measures to protect the welfare and safety of horse and rider while working with industry stakeholders to understand the current situation in individual countries and regions.
Realize greater uniformity in the race-day rules of IFHA members in order to support the development of an international fan base for racing, reduce the risk of controversy, and foster simulcasting and commingling arrangements which improve the revenues of the sport. This will build on the major progress already achieved in connection with the “protest” rule.
Apply rules and regulations that ease movement of horses to facilitate international competition while allowing for disease control. The 5-year Collaboration Agreement with the OIE (World Animal Health Organization) and the partnership with the FEI in the International Horse Sports Confederation will be major vehicles for progressing these matters.
Foster the development of robust legal protection of racing’s intellectual property rights against unauthorized use by wagering operators. The principles first articulated by the IFHA in Art.28 IABRW are now capable of being crystalised in a new statutory racing right and the IFHA will actively promote this and other legal protections of racing’s intellectual property rights.
Develop and execute a robust communication strategy in conjunction with its members, focusing on promoting the best of global racing through traditional and new media.
Continue to grow the federation’s partnership with Longines, building awareness of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, the Longines World’s Best Jockey, and corresponding awards and ceremonies.
Further employ quality control of graded and black-type races through the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee and the regional pattern committees.
International racing executives Jorge Luis Batlle Ibañez, Louis Romanet, and Frank Stronach have joined the list of speakers at the Pan American Conference June 3-6 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City.
Romanet
When France Galop was created in May 1995, Romanet was appointed France Galop director of Organisation and International Affairs. He later served as director general from 1998 through December 2007, when he retired from that position. He has held the title of chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities since its creation in 1994.