The International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) is the leading global platform for bringing together thought leaders, advocates and stakeholders to share ideas and advance best practices in this vital area. Attendance at the IFAR event, which is scheduled for Monday, 9 February, is complimentary for delegates.
The 10th IFAR conference will feature a tour of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA)’s Retraining & Riding Academy followed by a line-up of international speakers who will address a wide range of topics relating to the aftercare of racehorses. HRH Prince Bandar Bin Khalid AlFaisal, Chairman of JCSA, will officially open the conference.
The keynote address will be delivered by HRH Princess Nanda-Devi Norodom, the President of the Cambodian Equestrian Federation, who will speak on advocating for Thoroughbreds in emerging equestrian nations. Renowned broadcaster David Eades will serve as moderator for the conference.
Through a mix of presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities, the annual conference fosters global collaboration and encourages practical, forward-thinking approaches to aftercare.
The first panel, Industry Leaders - Future Vision for Aftercare, includes Andrew Harding, ARF Secretary General and Executive Director of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA); Paull Khan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF); Aaron Morrison, CEO of Racing Victoria; and Salem Saeed Binmahfooz, Chairman Advisor and Technical Committee member of the JCSA. The second panel, Industry Wide Responsibility, includes Rob Dauth of MyRacehorse, Lisa-Jane Graffard of Au-Delà des Pistes (ADDP) and Dr. Alan Lai of Champs Legacy.
There will also be three presentations. Abdullah A. AlAseeri, the Secretary General of the Saudi Equestrian Authority, will discuss aftercare in Riyadh. Grace Muir will present on HEROS, which combines retraining and rehoming with children's education, veterinary education and owner development. Melissa Ware of Racing Victoria will cover traceability and measuring the success of post-racing programs.
Transportation will be provided between the Retraining & Riding Academy and the conference venue, Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention Centre. Buses will leave for the onsite visit at 8 a.m., and the conference will begin at 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided for participants.
Established in 2016, IFAR works to advocate for the lifetime care of retired racehorses, to increase awareness within the international racing community of this important responsibility and to increase awareness in the sport horse world regarding the versatility of the Thoroughbred horse.
IFAR has a long history of collaboration with the ARF, and this is the fifth time it will be held in conjunction with the ARC. The 2026 IFAR conference will be presented in association with, and with the support of, the JCSA. It will also be proudly supported by the Japan Racing Association, which has entered into a multi-year sponsorship agreement to support IFAR’s activities around the world.
For more information on IFAR, visit https://www.internationalracehorseaftercare.com and follow @IFARnews across social media.
