Romanet Details IFHA Accomplishments

International Horseracing Federation Authorities chairman Louis Romanet outlined a history and achievements of the organization at the International Conference of Horseracing Authorities Oct. 3 in France before emphasizing the areas of focus going forward for the organization.

He outlines those areas of importance in the following excerpt from the speech.

There are many challenges to racing both regionally and internationally. And if we do not acknowledge them, and resolve to change, I can assure you that key metrics that define our success—from turnover, attendance, sponsorship, media coverage, and fan engagement will suffer.

First, we need to continue to work alongside the International Stud Book Committee and stud books around the world to monitor any developments that threaten the Thoroughbred breed such as genetic and cellular manipulation. Racing should also support stud books in their responsibility to maintain their approved status, a measure that was heightened in 2015 by the ISBC through Compliance Document. Any resources, technical support, or coordination that racing can provide is not only welcome but the proper step to take.

I’ve said it before and I will keep saying it so long as I am chairman of the IFHA, we MUST eradicate race-day medication in all continents. The integrity of global racing is at stake if we do not accomplish this. Owners, jockeys, and trainers deserve to participate in a fair sport. The public at large, media, sponsors, and bettors will not tolerate a sport that turns a blind eye to the use of performance-enhancing substances.

In addition, racing authorities must conduct and develop out-of-competition testing. A number of countries have robust out-of-competition testing, however more must be done. We must put in place protocols to collect samples well ahead of race day. As with human sports, a strong out-of-competition testing program will exponentially enhance doping control and deter those who wish to gain unfair advantages.

It’s essential to not simply stop with policy. It is imperative that racing authorities permanently invest in our labs and human resources. Make no mistake, the individuals who wish to cheat in racing are investing in ways to beat the system, therefore we must be proactive. The IFHA certification process is an important step to bringing labs around the world to the highest testing proficiencies possible. I personally believe that once this certification process is complete, international group races—those that are most important to shaping our sport and breed—should be tested by the labs that have reached this certification.  

Another necessary action is to advance progressive horse welfare policies. Primarily because it is the right thing to do. Our equine athletes deserve this. It also makes good business sense. Positive public perception and media coverage are paramount to making horse racing a permanent part of our culture. Sponsors and businesses will only align themselves with partners that will enhance their image, not those that are a distraction. From investment in retirement and adoption programs, developing minimum standards for the care of racehorses, to limiting the use of whip are all objectives that racing authorities can accomplish and must accomplish if we are to have any viable future. You will hear later this afternoon on how the IFHA and its members are looking to achieve this mission.

Racing must also look to facilitate in a responsible and efficient manner, the movement of horses. We are lucky to have 53 countries represented here today. I hope that in a short time we are represented by 65 nations. We must work with the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health), chief veterinary officers, and other stakeholders to examine current regulations and modernize them while protecting against infectious disease such as glanders, African Horse Sickness, and equine influenza. Without taking these steps, we may have already reached our ceiling for expansion around the world. The International Horse Sports Confederation and Movement Committee will be our vehicles to push better policy and I hope individual authorities will hold similar deliberations at home.

Too long ignored at this conference was the marketing and branding of racing. Now it is a permanent discussion point. Racing’s biggest stars, personalities, and races should be the focus of campaigns in traditional and new channels—social media specifically. Content is key and racing must commit to building a robust and diverse approach to grab the eyes of its current customers and new ones. The Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings and related awards are a perfect example of showcasing the very best of the sport and you will see the Federation and Longines grow the content behind our partnership.

Turning to betting, racing is at great risk to losing a large slice of the gambling market, specifically to sports and other forms of casino gaming. Racing authorities should spur conversations among each other to grow the portfolio of races available to international punters and look to large commingled pools as a major component of its wagering marketing.

It’s necessary for racing rules to be in greater synchronization, specifically for interference. It’s not only confusing for jockeys and trainers who compete internationally, but I foresee a day when a major international race is available to a worldwide betting audience, and a disqualification is made, or not made, and an entire betting nation is permanently alienated to another country’s product. In the world of commingled global pools, that is a scenario that we cannot risk and must continue to bring our rules in closer alliance.

And along those same lines I would support racing authorities to further develop cooperation on betting rules. I hope there will be a day when the major international races have similar or the same stipulations that handle scenarios of non-runners. A World Association of Betting Operators would go a long way to solve this.

We must help developing racing nations through solidarity programs and technical seminars which are often best organized at the regional level. The European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation has been a leader on this front, recently holding a trainers’ program in Bratislava. I would encourage all of the regional organizations to examine the feasibility to host such seminars both in person and through digital means.

At the same time we must collectively fight against those who are conducting illegal betting. Illegal or unlicensed bookmakers are able to establish themselves rather quickly, and their activity is a global threat, funding a number of criminal activities, such as fraud, money laundering, and loan-sharking. Racing must work with government authorities to counter this troubling development. I must commend the Hong Kong Jockey Club for their proactive actions on this subject and for drawing it to all of our attention these past years.

There is also a matter that our sport would be strongly advised to examine: the shortage of women in leadership and management positions. We must open our doors to women in racing, from senior executive positions to the stables and studs. The early days of the International Conference held discussions among different countries to examine rules that actually disallowed women to hold jockey’s licenses. Thankfully we have progressed since then, but there is certainly more that can be done. You will hear later today from our keynote speaker, Her Royal Highness Princess Haya, who held the most important job in equestrian sports and skillfully led her sport for eight years. I hope that in the not too distant future, our federation will see female representation at our executive council.

It’s necessary that we modernize our racecourses to compete with leisure parks, other sporting venues, and new entertainment centers. The running of the Arc at Chantilly is a unique and special experience but with a greater purpose due to the rebuilding of Longchamp. Ascot, Tokyo, Meydan, Santa Anita Park are among those racetracks that offer an experience that is pleasing to racegoers, both new and old. Families, young people, and those who have never been to a racetrack, will not visit, or will not return to, a racecourse that is not clean, user friendly, easy to navigate or lacking amenities such as quality food and beverage, wi-fi internet access, or high-definition video display.

With that said, I look forward to 2018 where we will be welcoming each of you to the 52^nd International Conference of Horseracing Authorities and the New Longchamp.

I know that in no uncertain terms, the legacy of our Conference can be found each time a major international race is staged. We were all very lucky to be witness to a historical Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) in Chantilly and many attendees will return to their home countries to shortly welcome international runners and guests to their biggest race days. Our predecessors would be immensely proud to know that we’ve developed and championed international distribution of racing, strong doping control measures, horse and rider welfare policies, and have made the sport of kings an outstanding international sport.

Those 14 individuals who gathered at the first International Conference 50 years ago and those who followed were only able to meet the racing’s challenges by collectively committing their time, resources, and will. None of the realizations I described today could have been achieved alone. The strength of this Conference, of the Federation, and of global horse racing comes from our members and their will to work together. We must continue to defend our sport in the same spirit as our predecessors with great friendship, mutual trust, and a very strong determination to guarantee a level playing field for the general interest of our stakeholders. Thank you for your attention.