41st Asian Racing Conference opens in Riyadh, marking return to Arabian Peninsula

The 41st Asian Racing Conference (ARC) opened in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, on Monday, marking the event’s return to the Arabian Peninsula for the first time since 2007.

Held at the Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel and Convention Centre, the three-day conference has attracted about 650 delegates from 45 countries. The event is hosted by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.

Asian Racing Federation (ARF) chair and Hong Kong Jockey Club chief executive officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said each Asian Racing Conference has played a role in shaping the future of thoroughbred racing, and that the gathering is particularly significant as the sport faces multiple challenges amid geopolitical tensions.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is home to one of the world’s oldest equine cultures. For thousands of years, horses played a special role in the lives of the people of the Arabian Peninsula — they have been a companion in journey, a partner in survival, and a symbol of nobility, courage and honor,” he said.

Held under the theme “Honoring Tradition, Shaping the Future,” the conference features an interactive three-day program with guest speakers from racing jurisdictions around the world. Discussions cover topics including integrity, wagering, technology, breeding, welfare, and fan engagement.

The 41st ARC comprises nine sessions and also includes key bureau meetings, such as the ARF Executive Council, ARF General Assembly, International Stewards’ Conference, Asian Pattern Committee, Asian and Oceania Stud Book Committee, and the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses.

During the conference, Engelbrecht-Bresges was unanimously re-elected as ARF chair, a position he has held since 2014.

He is scheduled to open the first session of the ARC’s business program on Tuesday with a presentation titled “The Evolving Global Racing and Sporting Landscape,” examining developments shaping the global racing and sports sectors.