The growth of racing in the Gulf region was a key feature of a session titled Developments: Big Changes Across The ARF Footprint, on day 2 of the 40th Asian Racing Conference at Sapporo, Japan.

Mr. Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, Vice-Chair, Asian Racing Federation and General Manager and Board Member, Emirates Racing Authority, spoke of the revolution and strength of racing in the United Arab Emirates.

“Dubai has some of the finest races, and racing is a great way to market the country and market the lifestyle of the country,” he said.

Mr. Tom Ryan, Director of Strategy, Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, highlighted that all metrics are pointing in the right direction for racing in the country and the region.

“We are really, really pushing forward in all points which benefits horses all year round.”

Mr. Ryan said they had done a lot of great things with the Saudi Cup and hoped to spread that across to the regular season to more fully establish racing as a spectator sport. He also spoke of the plan for a new racetrack at Qiddiya.

Mr. Makoto Yoshida, Executive Vice President, National Association of Racing in Japan, spoke of the need to promote international dirt racing in Japan, with a planned implementation from 2028.

“We are trying to internationalise these races,” Mr. Yoshida said.

Mr. Bruce Sharrock, Chief Executive Officer, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, said his country had struggled to attract the wagering dollar for some time, but it was now the strongest it had been for 14 years. He said prizemoney had also increased by 30%.

“We had to do everything we could to grow wagering and renew confidence,” Mr. Sharrock said.

Mr. Adrian Todd, Managing Director, South Africa Equine Health & Protocols NPC, spoke about the long journey towards reinstatement of direct horse exports from South Africa to Europe.

“Today it really gives me great pleasure to be able to stand here and say not we are going to export from South Africa, but we are exporting from South Africa,” he said.

Mr. Todd said South Africa would not be in the position it is today without the vision and support of The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Mr. Gregory Bortz, Chairman, Cape Racing, said he took over Cape Racing when it was at its lowest point.

“Not only was the company broke, but the culture was completely broken,” he said.

Mr. Bortz said a key component of the organisation’s revival was using the assets that existed on their racecourses to generate non-racing related revenues that could be used to sustain racing.

The session was chaired by Mr. Vee Moodley, Chief Executive, The National Horseracing Authority of South Africa.

In an earlier session titled Land Of The Rising Sun, moderator Mr. Naohide Fukuhara interviewed legendary JRA trainer Mr. Yoshito Yahagi and Mishima Stable breeder, Mr Kenichiro Mishima.

Mr. Yahagi spoke of his success. “I think I’m blessed and lucky to have had good wins in other countries too,” he said.

Mr. Mishima said Japan recognised the need some time ago to improve bloodlines to compete against international horses. “I think the Japanese horses are getting better. Japanese body sizes are getting better,” he said.