Following the election, Romanet expressed his core objectives for his eighth mandate as Chairman of the Federation. “In an increasingly globalized industry, the IFHA must remain focused on its mission as a conduit of good regulation and practices on international matters,” said Romanet. “With the newly re-elected Vice-Chairmen we will develop an action plan in order to meet the Federation’s goals for the next three years.”

Romanet detailed the main strategic aims for the IFHA. He would like to see the organization:

• Implement a global anti-doping policy through the certification of labs, harmonization of drug control, and out-of-competition testing. The foundations of such a policy have already been built with Article 6 of the IABRW extensively reorganized and 5 laboratories across all regions selected for initial performance capability assessment and certification.

• Achieve a no medication on race-day policy for all IFHA member countries

• Advance measures to protect the welfare and safety of horse and rider while working with industry stakeholders to understand the current situation in individual countries and regions.

• Realize greater uniformity in the race-day rules of IFHA members in order to support the development of an international fan base for racing, reduce the risk of controversy, and foster simulcasting and commingling arrangements which improve the revenues of the sport. This will build on the major progress already achieved in connection with the “protest” rule.

• Apply rules and regulations that ease movement of horses to facilitate international competition while allowing for disease control. The 5-year Collaboration Agreement with the OIE (World Animal Health Organization) and the partnership with the FEI in the International Horse Sports Confederation will be major vehicles for progressing these matters.

• Foster the development of robust legal protection of racing’s intellectual property rights against unauthorized use by wagering operators. The principles first articulated by the IFHA in Art.28 IABRW are now capable of being crystalised in a new statutory racing right and the IFHA will actively promote this and other legal protections of racing’s intellectual property rights.

• Develop and execute a robust communication strategy in conjunction with its members, focusing on promoting the best of global racing through traditional and new media.

• Continue to grow the federation’s partnership with Longines, building awareness of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, the Longines World’s Best Jockey, and corresponding awards and ceremonies.

• Further employ quality control of graded and black-type races through the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee and the regional pattern committees.

Louis Romanet
The Romanet family is synonymous with Thoroughbred racing in France, and Louis Romanet is the fourth person in his family, over three generations, to work for the Société d’Encouragement. He joined this organization in 1968 and was appointed Director General in 1986.

When France Galop was created in May 1995, Romanet was appointed France Galop Director of Organisation and International Affairs. He later served as Director General from 1998 through December 2007, when he retired from that position. He has held the title of Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities since its creation in 1994 and will start his eighth mandate of three years in October 2015.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges
Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges has been Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club since February 2007. He is also the Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), which comprises over 20 member racing jurisdictions in promoting horse racing within Asia. Engelbrecht-Bresges is also a member of the Advisory Board of Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V., organiser of the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen.

Engelbrecht-Bresges joined the Club in 1998 as Director of Racing and was appointed Executive Director, Racing, in 2000, at which time his portfolio was extended to include responsibility for the Property Department. During this period he played a significant role in uplifting the quality and profile of Hong Kong horse racing to world-class standards.

Prior to joining the Club, Engelbrecht-Bresges spent six years as CEO of the governing body of German horse racing and breeding, whose members include the representatives of racecourses, the Trainers and Jockeys Association and the German Breeders and Owners Association.

Jim Gagliano
Jim Gagliano became President and Chief Operating Officer of The Jockey Club, the breed registry for all Thoroughbred horses in North America, on January 1, 2010. He had served as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for The Jockey Club since June 2005.

Prior to joining The Jockey Club’s management team, Gagliano served as Executive Vice President of Magna Entertainment Corporation’s Maryland racing operations, where he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Maryland Jockey Club. He also served as President, MEC OTB, and Group Vice President, MEC Northern Group.

Before that, Gagliano served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Greenwood Racing Inc. and worked in various roles during a 10-year stint with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. In January 2013, he was elected to the American Horse Council board of trustees.

Brian Kavanagh
Brian Kavanagh is Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) which is the governing authority for racing in that country with responsibility for its development promotion and administration. Horse Racing Ireland also owns four racecourses, owns and operates Tote Ireland and the bloodstock promotion company Irish Thoroughbred Marketing. Brian has also served as Chairman of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation since 2011 and Chairman of the European Pattern Race Committee since 2005.

Prior to taking on the role in HRI, Kavanagh was Chief Executive of the Irish Turf Club for two years and Manager of The Curragh Racecourse and Training Centre for five years. Previously he was employed as Financial Controller of the Irish Turf Club from 1985 to 1989. Kavanagh also spent four years working as an accountant for KPMG, after graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.), Accounting and Finance and a Diploma in Professional Accountancy from University College Dublin.

Ownership and Horses-in-Training Remain a Challenge

2014 was another successful year for the Irish bloodstock industry, with sales of €147.4 million representing double-digit growth for the fourth year in a row, according to Horse Racing Ireland’s (HRI) annual statistics.

Other highlights:

• Tote Ireland posted increases for the fourth consecutive year

• Racecourse attendances grew by 4% for the second year in succession.

• Commercial sponsorship, a key marker of business confidence in racing, grew by over 6%.

• On-course betting recovered marginally, delivering the first improvement since 2007.

• The total value of Irish-bred horses exported through sale at public auction worldwide amounted to €229.4m, up 11.7% on the previous year, with Irish horses exported to 34 different countries.

While these were the highlights of the year-end industry figures, significant challenges remain, as seen in the decline in horses-in-training, race entries and ownership, although recruitment of new owners improved slightly.

2014 Sales:

• Bloodstock Sales up 10.5% from €133.4m to €147.4m
• Export Sales up 11.7% from €205.4m to €229.4m

HRI Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh said: “This is the fourth consecutive year of dynamic growth in bloodstock sales at public auction in Ireland which is a testament to the enduring appeal of Irish thoroughbreds, based on their racing success at home and overseas.’’

Horses in Training and Ownership:

• Horses in Training down 6.4% from 9,199 to 8,613
• Owners down 6.2% from 3,953 to 3,706
• New Owners up 4% from 635 to 660
• Entries down 11.9% from 63,524 to 55,991
• Field Sizes down from 11.6 to 11.0

Brian Kavanagh commented: “We are now seeing the full effect of the dramatic declines in foal crops in 2009 and 2010 and ownership is an area that needs continued focus. While the overall number of owners has fallen again, the increase in new owners is welcome and our field sizes bear favourable comparison with other racing jurisdictions.”

2014 Betting:

• Total Tote Betting up 10.8% from €55.6m to €61.6m

On-Course Betting

• Bookmaker Betting (ring) down 0.7% from €70.8m to €70.3m
• On-Course SP Shops up 11.5% from €8.7m to €9.7m
• On-Course Tote Betting level at €14.2m
• Total On-Course Betting up 0.5% from €93.7m to €94.2m

Tote Ireland’s revenue increase was driven mainly by growth in betting on Irish racing from international markets, along with growth in its business with UK Totepool. Tote Ireland partners with many international operators to sell tote betting on Irish racing and the increase in 2014 reflects continued success in this area.

Bookmaker betting on-course has finally seen a tapering-off of the steep declines registered in each of the last seven years, amounting to a cumulative drop in turnover of €135 million. With a €1 million increase in on-course SP shop turnover, overall on-course betting has seen its first increase since 2007.

2014 Attendances and Fixtures:

• Total Attendances up 4% from 1.24m to 1.29m
• Average Attendances up 4% from 3,548 to 3,705
• Fixtures down 0.6% from 349 to 347

Attendance growth of 4% was recorded for both total attendances and average attendance per meeting for the second consecutive year. The racing festivals were particularly strong, with the inaugural Irish Champions Weekend significantly increasing numbers at Leopardstown and the Curragh.

Brian Kavanagh commented: “We are confident that racing has retained its popularity with the sporting public and is in a strong position to benefit from the improving economy. Irish Champions Weekend showed that innovation and a team approach can deliver long-lasting benefits for everyone in the sport.’’

2014 Prize-money and sponsorship:

• Prize-money up 6.1% from €45.9m to €48.6m
• Commercial Sponsorship up 6.3% from €3.7m to €4m

In order to stay competitive internationally, improve returns to existing owners and attract new owners, HRI made improvements in prize-money a priority for 2014 with an increase of 6.1% to €48.6 million, including a rise in the minimum race value from €7,000 to €7,500. Prize-money will increase by a further €5 million, or 10%, in 2015, to a projected €53.9 million.

Brian Kavanagh: “Despite signs of growth across many key areas we still face the challenge of retaining and attracting racehorse owners. To address this, we are committed to increased prize-money and reduced costs of ownership because owners are the foundation on which this industry is built. Our increased race values, coupled with the further reductions in administrative charges, will hopefully encourage new owners into the sport and existing owners to reinvest. Increasing the number of horses in training is an absolute priority to maintain the competitiveness of Irish racing and generate increased employment in our vital rural industry.

Brian Kavanagh continued:
“In 2014 Irish-bred and trained horses enjoyed tremendous global success. At Cheltenham in 2014, there were 16 Irish-bred and 12 Irish-trained winners. Irish trainers equalled the record of eight wins at Royal Ascot and at the prestigious York Ebor festival each of the feature races was won by an Irish-trained horse. Irish sprinters dominated the world sprints with Tom Hogan’s Gordon Lord Byron beating the top Australian sprinters in Rosehill in March and winning on QIPCO British Champions Day in October. Irish-trained and bred Adelaide (IRE) became the first non-Australasian horse to win Australia’s premier weight- for-age race, The Cox Plate, for Aidan O’Brien. Eddie Lynam won four of the five British Group 1 all-aged sprint races with his star sprinters Sole Power and Slade Power.”

2014 Irish Thoroughbred Racing Industry Statistics

The Outstanding Achievement category of the Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Awards is open to public vote through a dedicated awards app which is now available to download through iTunes or Google Play. Each voter will be entered into a draw for two people to attend the Awards at Leopardstown Racecourse on December 8th.

The Outstanding Achievement Award nominees for 2014, selected by the Irish racing media, are : trainers Jim Culloty, Tom Hogan and Willie McCreery; jockeys Wayne Lordan and Davy Russell and six-time OLBG Mares’ Hurdle winner Quevega. To assist voters, the app contains profiles of each of the nominees.

The profiles of nominees for the other categories of National Hunt, Flat, Point-to-Point and Horse of the Year categories, which are decided by ballot of the Irish racing media, are also provided.

Along with a live countdown, an image gallery and all the latest news, the app will allow users to watch the HRI Awards ceremony live on December 8th.

Commenting on the HRI Awards App, Michael O’Rourke, Director of Marketing and Communications said: “We were very pleased with the level of public voting through the app last year and the positive reaction to making the HRI Awards accessible. Racing fans can follow the build-up to the awards with all the latest news and updates and can also watch the event live through a tablet or smartphone.”

Voting on the Outstanding Achievement Category closes on Friday December 5th at 2pm and the winner of the draw will be notified the same day. Votes will be limited to one per email address.

The Horse Racing Ireland Awards App is available to download from iTunes and Google Play.

Download for iPhones on iTunes
Download for Android on Google Play

Brian Hamilton was previously a well-known and successful amateur rider, riding for many top trainers including Paddy Mullins, Martin Pipe and Aiden O’Brien. As a trainer, Hamilton has excelled with much success both on the track and at point-to-points and last season, he trained eight winners from just 39 runners. His handling of Warne since he arrived in his yard has been exceptional, guiding his gelding to victory in the Foxhunters Chase at Aintree in April.

Jockey James Smyth realised his dream this year when steering Tammys Hill to victory in the Cheltenham Foxhunters Chase. This was a wonderful family story as Tammys Hill was bred by his father Patsy and owned by his uncle Seamus. Furthermore James was a significant part of this horses training programme with trainer Liam Lennon.

Tammys Hill won ten of his fifteen point-to-points and was second three times. On the track he has also won eight more races. At Cheltenham, James got everything right and once jumping to the front at the top of the hill he led home a famous one-two for Northern Ireland-trained runners with Carsonstown Boy second for Colin McBratney.

Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of HRI said: “The HRI Awards will give us the chance to celebrate and acknowledge the extremely high standards across all sectors of Irish racing. Each of the nominees announced today deserve to be recognised for their achievements throughout the year and all categories are very competitive.”

Once again, members of the public will again have an opportunity to vote on the ‘Outstanding Achievement’ category, through the HRI Awards app, which will be available for download from iTunes and Google Play next week. Forms will be available at Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) reception for those without a smart phone.

The Awards App contains information about the awards and each of the nominees, an image gallery, all the latest news and will also allow members of the public to watch the awards live.