Hong Kong passes torch to India as Asian Racing Conference ends with a change of leadership
After four days of meetings, business sessions and other events, including an action-packed race meeting at the iconic Happy Valley Racecourse featuring the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) Trophy race, the final act of the 35th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) took place at an impressive closing ceremony at Sha Tin Racecourse last Thursday, May 8.
The climax of the evening was the ARF flag handover ceremony from The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) to the hosts of the 36th ARC, the Turf Authority of India, with the next event scheduled to take place in Mumbai in early 2016.
Towards the end of the closing ceremony, it was announced that HKJC’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges would take over the Chairmanship of the ARF from Dr Koji Sato.
Presiding over his final ARC in his current role, Dr Sato hailed the success of the 35th ARC, saying: “This has been a tremendous conference with 15 different sessions, all very important to bring racing to new heights. If any conclusion can be drawn from this Conference, it would be to identify the means by which we can create
greater economic value and protect the integrity of the sport we love.”
Widely considered to be the most important and influential event of its type, this year’s Conference in Hong Kong attracted a record attendance of more than 800 delegates from over 40 countries and jurisdictions. The impressive range of meetings and business sessions, which included thought-provoking presentations and some healthy debate, brought together experts from both within and outside the industry around the world.
On behalf of the host city and the organisers, HKJC Chairman T. Brian Stevenson thanked everyone for their
attendance, support and contribution to the success of this year’s ARC.
Referring to the ARC’s reputation as a significant platform and marketplace for new ideas and international co-operation, Stevenson said: “Greater international collaboration is clearly a must for the racing industry to maintain its competitiveness and popular appeal in the face of so many other competing forms of gaming and entertainment today.”