Princess Zahra Addresses 60th IFHA Conference in Paris
Princess Zahra Addresses 60th IFHA Conference in Paris
More than 150 delegates from approximately 40 countries gathered in Paris for the 60th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities. The event reviewed the IFHA’s progress over six decades and examined current challenges and opportunities in global racing.
Keynote Address Highlights
Princess Zahra Aga Khan delivered the keynote address, receiving a standing ovation. She spoke the day after Daryz achieved a second consecutive victory in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
“That horse represents what we do as breeders,” she said of Daryz. “We are trying to preserve the genetic diversity of the families. A horse like Calandagan is probably not something everyone wants to breed at this point in time. It is not necessarily fashionable, but it is necessary.”
She also stressed the need to make racing more accessible to new audiences and to communicate the extensive care and preparation that horses receive before reaching the racecourse.
“It’s important for the people in this room to solve the misconceptions in racing,” she said. “Everyone sees the racing part of things, but they don’t see the industry, the number of people employed, and every link in the chain.”
Reflecting on Six Decades
IFHA Executive Director Andrew Harding reviewed the organisation’s evolution, emphasising its contributions to anti-doping efforts, international regulation, and the application of science and technology to enhance equine welfare.
A panel later examined the IFHA’s historical influence on international racing, featuring leaders from The Jockey Club, The Curragh, the International Stud Book Committee, and Racing Australia.
Looking Ahead
IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges shifted the discussion to the future, highlighting the importance of expanding the sport’s fanbase, ensuring the sustainability of the Thoroughbred, and addressing threats to racing’s funding structure.
“The future of horse racing can only be secured by working together to address the key challenges that we face, and the IFHA is at the heart of that coordinated, collective action that we must pursue,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said.
A second panel explored these themes, bringing together representatives from the Japan Racing Association, France Galop, The Jockey Club, Horse Racing Ireland, Ascot, the International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation, and the National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa.
Competition from Other Wagering Products
The conference also noted the growing competition racing faces from alternative wagering options. U.S. Thoroughbred racing handle declined 2.1 percent from 2024 to 2025, while sports betting handle rose 11 percent and iGaming revenue increased 27.6 percent. Prediction markets saw particularly rapid growth, with combined monthly trading volume at two major platforms rising sharply between June 2025 and June 2026.
Honouring a Legacy
Engelbrecht-Bresges concluded the event by paying tribute to the late Louis Romanet, Chairman Emeritus of the IFHA, who died in March. He reiterated that the future of the sport remains a shared responsibility across jurisdictions.
A replay of the conference’s live stream and presentations will be made available in the coming days.
Source: thoroughbreddailynews.com
Photo: End of conference by kevin dooley, CC BY 2.0. Freely licensed picture matched to this story. It is not a photograph of the event.
