Conferences - 58th International Conference Agenda


10.30 am

Opening by IFHA Chair   

IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges will welcome members, key stakeholders, and media, and begin to spotlight the work undertaken by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).

 

Master of Ceremonies  

Rishi Persad is one of the most recognised and well-established broadcasters in the UK. He has covered a number of major international events across many sports including golf, tennis, cricket, snooker and horse racing.

He has represented major television networks at The US Masters, The Open Championship, The Ryder Cup, Wimbledon Tennis Championships, Commonwealth Games, the World Snooker Championship and recently appeared at his sixth consecutive Olympic Games for the BBC in Paris.

10.45 am

Session 1: The Importance of Integrity, and The Need for Robust Systems to Support It  

  • Andrew Harding
    Executive Director, International Federation of Horseracing Authorities
    Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club
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  • Justice Frank Clarke
    Director, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board
    Former Chief Justice of Ireland
This session will begin with introductory remarks by the Federation’s Executive Director, which will set a strong foundation for the Business Programme. Justice Frank Clarke, Director of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board and former Chief Justice of Ireland, will deliver a keynote speech regarding the importance of integrity in sport, and the need for robust systems that protect the integrity of the sport and protect the sport against legal challenges.

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11.20 am

Session 2: Lessons Learned from Major Racing Integrity Cases 

  • Marc Van Gestel
    Chief Stipendiary Steward, The Hong Kong Jockey Club
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  • Cliodhna Guy
    Head of Governance and Legal, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board
  •  
  • Jamie Stier
    Executive General Manager, Integrity Services, Racing Victoria
  •  
  • Brant Dunshea
    Chief Regulatory Officer, British Horseracing Authority
This session will examine the lessons learnt from major racing integrity-related cases.  We will hear from the people who investigated these matters, and those who prosecuted the perpetrators, illustrating why racing must continue its full commitment to upholding the highest integrity standards.
It will comprise short presentations followed by a panel discussion / Q&A session.

12.20 pm

Lunch

1.30 pm

Session 2 (con’t): Lessons Learned From Major Racing Integrity Cases

  • Andrew Adams
    Partner, Steptoe LLP

 

1.40 pm

Session 3: Creation of the IFHA Council on Anti-Illegal Betting and Related Crim

  • Martin Purbrick
    Chair, IFHA Council on Anti-illegal Betting and Related Crime
The Asian Racing Federation (ARF) Council on Anti-illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime (the Council) was established in 2017 to foster and enhance international cooperation among horse racing operators, regulators, intergovernmental organisations, governments and international organisations in order to better combat the threat of illegal betting and related financial crime risks to horse racing integrity in particular, and sport in general.


The Council has become an established racing think tank, representing horse racing as a sport and the ARF as a leading sports federation. The purpose, objectives, and impact of the Council have become global and, as such, have outgrown the original regional role. As a result, it has been decided that the Council will transition from the ARF to the IFHA. Martin Purbrick, Chair of the Council, will discuss the history, developments and future strategic goals of the Council as a global think tank for racing in support of the integrity objectives of the IFHA. 

2.40 pm

Coffee

3.00 pm

Session 4: Cutting Edge Approaches and Techniques – How Other Sports Tackle Integrity Threats

  • Jenni Kennedy
    Senior Director, Investigations, International Tennis Integrity Agency

  • Brett Clothier
    Head of the Athletics Integrity Unit
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  • Susan Ahern
    Barrister, Arbitrator
    Independent Vice Chair, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Disciplinary Panel

This session will examine cutting edge approaches to intelligence gathering, investigations, and integrity programmes which are used by other sports to tackle current and future threats to integrity, as well as the application of governance standards in other sports to protect their integrity.

It will comprise short presentations followed by a panel discussion / Q&A session.   

4.15 pm

Session 5: Release of the IFHA Racing Integrity Handbook

  • Andrew Harding
    Executive Director, International Federation of Horseracing Authorities
    Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club
The IFHA Executive Director will deliver a presentation on the IFHA’s development of a Racing Integrity Handbook – the first of its kind in racing – which seeks to assist its members and other stakeholders address threats to the integrity of racing.

4:20 pm

Closing by IFHA Chair

The conference will conclude with a short speech thanking speakers, members and other stakeholders for their participation in the Conference. It will also outline the key themes explored in this Conference, and look ahead at staying connected until the next conference.
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