International Federation of Horseracing Authorities - IFHA

24/03/2026

The 20th edition of the IFHA Quarterly remembers Louis Romanet, Chairman Emeritus of the IFHA, whose leadership was instrumental in shaping modern international racing and strengthening global cooperation across the sport.

It also includes access to replays from the 2025 International Conference for the Health, Safety and Welfare of Jockeys (ICHSWJ), coverage of the 2025 Longines World Racing Awards in London, highlights from the 41st Asian Racing Conference in Riyadh and the 10th International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR), and the first edition of the 2026 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings.

Read: https://ifhaonline.org/Default.asp?section=Resources&area=15

12/03/2026

12/03/2026

05/03/2026

Vale Louis Romanet

Mr. Louis Romanet, one of the most influential figures in international horse racing and Chairman Emeritus of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), passed away on 4 March at the age of 78.

Throughout his life, Romanet’s career was devoted to advancing the sport. He dedicated himself to the development of horse racing in France and around the world, holding numerous leadership roles and helping shape the modern global racing landscape.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chair of the IFHA, said: "Louis Romanet devoted his life to the advancement of horse racing and to bringing the international racing community closer together. Through his vision, leadership, and unwavering dedication, he helped guide our sport into a new era of global cooperation and development.

"Louis was a friend and mentor to me for more than 40 years, and he was the most respected and globally recognized figure in international racing for decades. He was a friend to all, a passionate and caring leader, and a mentor to many across our industry. He will be missed dearly, and his legacy will endure throughout the worldwide racing community he worked so tirelessly to unite.”

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22/01/2026

The video replays from the International Conference for the Health, Safety and Welfare of Jockeys (ICHSWJ) can now be found at the YouTube channel of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).

The ICHSWJ was held 11-12 December in Hong Kong. Themed Performance Medicine in Racing – Developing and Protecting the Jockey, the two-day conference took an applied, evidence-based approach featuring presentations and panel discussions with leading experts in the field.

The 2025 ICHSWJ was organised by the Jockeys Health and Wellbeing Committee of the IFHA and proudly supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC).

Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW4iGkH-g0xyxj9xUXw-w8dorAWSWTzn9

30/12/2025

The 19th edition of the IFHA Quarterly announces the upcoming Longines World Racing Awards and features the 2025 International Conference for the Health, Safety and Welfare of Jockeys (ICHSWJ) and the 2025 Longines World’s Best Jockey ceremony.

Read: https://ifhaonline.org/Default.asp?section=Resources&area=15

19/12/2025

IFHA statement on the passing of Sir Johnny Weatherby:

“Johnny Weatherby was a towering figure in the international racing and breeding community, continuing a distinguished family tradition of service to the sport,” said IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. "His leadership and vision were felt most strongly on the global stage through his role as Chairman of the International Stud Book Committee (ISBC), which was established through the International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, with his father, Christopher Weatherby serving as the ISBC’s first Chairman."

"Johnny served the Thoroughbred tirelessly throughout his career, notably as Chairman of Weatherbys and as Her Majesty’s Representative at Ascot. He will be deeply missed by the international racing community, and, on behalf of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), I extend my sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time."

12/12/2025

After dominating the competition throughout the year, James McDonald was honoured on Friday with the 2025 Longines World’s Best Jockey Award. He first took the title in 2022 and was also celebrated last year.

Read: https://www.ifhaonline.org/Default.asp?section=Resources&area=0&story=1213

12/12/2025

The 2025 International Conference for the Health, Safety and Welfare of Jockeys (ICHSWJ) was held 11-12 December in Hong Kong. Themed Performance Medicine in Racing – Developing and Protecting the Jockey, the two-day conference took an applied, evidence-based approach featuring presentations and panel discussions with leading experts in the field.

“This conference represents one of the most important conversations taking place within the racing industry today,” said Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). “For too long, jockey safety and wellbeing have been discussed with admiration for the resilience of the athlete rather than with the structured, systematic, and scientifically informed approach required of a modern, high-performance sport.

“This conference marks another step in changing that, and ensuring that our riders receive nothing less than the highest standards of care, the strongest protections available, and the most rigorous pursuit of knowledge that contemporary sports science and medicine can offer.”

Read: https://www.ifhaonline.org/Default.asp?section=Resources&area=0&story=1212

04/12/2025

The 2025 Longines World Racing Awards will be held on 20 January 2026 in London, England. The event, which is organised by Longines and the IFHA, will once again take place at the famed Savoy Hotel. The ceremony will honour the highest-rated horse in the 2025 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings as well as the Longines World’s Best Horse Race.

Read: https://www.ifhaonline.org/Default.asp?section=Resources&area=0&story=1211

04/12/2025