Asian Racing Federation

The Asian Racing Federation (ARF) is a regional federation comprising 28 national racing authorities and racing-related organisations from across Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East.

The Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, is currently ARF Chair and together with the Executive Council and its Members works to advance thoroughbred racing throughout ARF jurisdictions. The ARF Secretary-General is the Club’s Executive Director of Racing, Andrew Harding.

The objectives of the Federation are to:

1. Promote and advance horse racing and breeding within the Federation footprint.
2. Drive ongoing improvements to racing integrity standards, including through dedicated efforts to combat illegal betting and control the use of prohibited substances and practices.
3. Promote measures to protect the welfare of horses and participants.
4. Encourage the sustainable development of racing and breeding operations, including through promoting social contributions and addressing climate change.
5. Regularly and effectively engage with members and other stakeholders.
6. Exchange ideas and information, develop relationships and foster goodwill, amongst members.
7. Encourage and promote education and talent development, and the diversification of pathways for future generations.
8. Contribute to international discussions on key racing issues.
9. Ensure that high standards of race ratings and quality control processes are in place.
10. Promote the internationalisation of horse racing, including by striving for harmonisation of racing rules and regulations amongst members.
11. Maintain and facilitate the international movement of horses.
12. Develop and strengthen the global brand of horse racing as sports entertainment.

The ARF organises the Asian Racing Conference (ARC), a major event on the international racing calendar. The 41st ARC will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2026, hosted by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.

The ARF is formally linked with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). Australia, Hong Kong and Japan have permanent seats representing the ARF on the Executive Council of the IFHA. The ARF also nominates one of two rotational positions on the IFHA Executive Council.

Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges is currently Chair of the IFHA. Mr Andrew Harding is Executive Director of the IFHA and leads its Executive Office.

ARF Secretariat

• Tel : +852 2966 7993
• Fax : +852 2966 1098
• Email: secretariat@asianracing.org

Official Website: www.asianracing.org