Asian Racing Federation calls for collaboration to address industry issues
AFR chairman Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges spoke at the 40th Asian Racing Conference.
Hong Kong.- Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, chairman of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) and CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), highlighted issues facing the horse racing industry in a speech at the 40th Asian Racing Conference. He identified industry fragmentation as a major obstacle, noting that the sport “has to think globally.”
He also noted the challenges of social acceptability, the proliferation of illegal and offshore betting and the importance of addressing long-term sustainability in light of an ageing customer base.
During the conference, it was said that the global illegal wagering market is worth an estimated US$1.7tn and is growing at a faster rate than the legal market. Engelbrecht-Bresges called for a unified global strategy to address the challenges, saying that no single jurisdiction could tackle them alone. He urged a prioritisation of science, technology and research to increase safety for horses, and called for innovative solutions, including the use of AI.
After Engelbrecht-Bresges’ keynote presentation, Andrew Harding, secretary general, Asian Racing Federation and HKJC executive director, said fan engagement would determine the sport’s future. He said: “Fan engagement is not a mere buzzword. It will determine our future. It will determine whether we maintain, hopefully, grow or become increasingly marginalised to the point of irrelevance.”
