International Conference Focuses on Integrity in Racing

Upholding integrity in racing was the focus of the 58th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, that took place Oct. 7 in Paris at Saint-Cloud Racecourse.

Over 150 delegates from approximately 40 different countries heard from key leaders from racing and other major sports in a number of presentations and panel discussions. The overall program examined key integrity threats and lessons learned from previous cases in order to demonstrate how racing can utilize cutting-edge approaches and techniques to protect the sport.

"Integrity is the foundation on which our sport is built and therefore protecting integrity is essential for the credibility and popularity of our sport," said IFHA chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, who delivered the conference's opening and closing remarks.

"We have to provide a level-playing field so that our participants feel comfortable to compete. Without the highest standards of integrity, our sport loses the trust and confidence of our customers and other key stakeholders, which then places the existence of our industry at stake. With recent events showing how pervasive integrity threats are nowadays, racing must continue to lead the way in protecting sports integrity."  

Justice Frank Clarke, director of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board and former Chief Justice of Ireland, delivered the keynote speech and discussed the need for robust systems that protect against legal challenges. Clarke highlighted the vital importance of what he believes are the "three pillars" of racing integrity: up-to-date rules of racing, sound processes, and independent decision-makers.

Other speakers from outside of racing included Susan Ahern, arbitrator at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and former Head of Legal and Legislative Affairs at World Rugby; Brett Clothier, head of the Athletics Integrity Unit; Jenni Kennedy, senior director of investigations at the International Tennis Integrity Agency; and Andrew Adams, partner at international law firm Steptoe.

Integrity leaders from within racing who presented included Andrew Harding, executive director of the IFHA; Marc Van Gestel, chief stipendiary steward at The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Jamie Stier, executive general manager integrity services at Racing Victoria; Cliodhna Guy, head of governance and legal of the IHRB; Brant Dunshea, chief regulatory officer at the British Horseracing Authority; and Martin Purbrick, chair of the Asian Racing Federation Council on Anti-illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime.

Key integrity-related developments in racing were also announced during the conference, notably the transition of the ARF Council to the IFHA, as well as the official release of the IFHA Racing Integrity Handbook.

"The release of the Racing Integrity Handbook is a major achievement for the IFHA and its commitment to upholding integrity in our sport," said Harding. "It is the first of its kind in horse racing, and indeed the most comprehensive such document produced for any sport.

"We expect it to be a valuable resource for use by all jurisdictions, and we are grateful for the collective efforts of the 25-plus global regulators and integrity experts that directly contributed to the publishing of the handbook."

See the IFHA Racing Integrity Handbook on the IFHA website

"As racing globalises further, the integrity of racing will be essential to confidence in both the sport itself as well as betting on the outcome, recognising that wagering income is in many cases the principal source of revenue," Harding wrote in the handbook's preface. "To ensure confidence in the management of the running of racing, a handbook that clearly defines good practices within an integrity model is needed.

"The Handbook is advisory—it is for guidance, and not prescriptive. The Handbook explains good practices in a wide range of racing rules, administration, and operations that are provided by recognised leading practitioners from the sport."

The IFHA Council on Anti-illegal Betting and Related Crime is the result of the collaboration between key racing bodies, as it is transferring from the Asian Racing Federation to the IFHA.

"The council has become an established sports integrity think tank, and its impact, purpose and objectives are now global in nature," said Purbrick. "On behalf of the council, I would like to thank both the IFHA and the ARF for their unwavering support of our work, and look forward to contributing to the integrity objectives of the IFHA, horse racing, and sport in general."

Additionally, during the IFHA General Assembly, Brian Kavanagh, the IFHA's vice-chair in Europe, was honored upon the announcement of his retirement from the IFHA.

A replay of the live video stream and presentations will be available in the coming days.