The International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR), which is the leading global platform for bringing together thought leaders, advocates, and stakeholders to share ideas and advance best practices in this vital area, is scheduled to hold its 10th annual conference on 9 February 2026.
It will be held in conjunction with the 41st Asian Racing Conference (ARC), which is scheduled to take place 9 – 14 February 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 41st ARC is presented by the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) and the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA), which is the host of this conference.
“Our 10th IFAR conference represents a major milestone for the global aftercare community, and we are honoured to convene here for the first time in 2026 on the Arabian Peninsula, a revered place in the history of the Thoroughbred,” said IFAR Chair Eliot Forbes. “Hosting IFAR alongside the 41st Asian Racing Conference offers a unique opportunity to honour the roots of our industry while shaping its future. We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia and the Asian Racing Federation to continue driving global collaboration and progress in Thoroughbred aftercare.”
IFAR 2026 will feature a lineup of international speakers who will address a wide range of topics relating to the aftercare of racehorses. Attendance at the IFAR event is complimentary for ARC delegates.
Attendees of the IFAR conference can expect a thought-provoking programme led by experts and industry leaders, exploring key themes in Thoroughbred aftercare. Through a mix of presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, the annual conference fosters global collaboration and encourages practical, forward-thinking approaches to aftercare. It’s a chance for delegates to engage with fresh ideas, share experiences, and take away insights that can help strengthen aftercare practices in their own jurisdictions.
“The IFAR conference represents the global aftercare community uniting in our commitment to ensuring the welfare of retired racehorses,” said Natasha Rose, chair of the IFAR Conference Committee and the executive manager, equestrian affairs projects, at The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC). “As we gather in this vibrant and culturally rich nation, we aim to foster dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders from various sectors, including racing organisations and equine professionals. By exchanging knowledge and experiences, we can inspire actionable change that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of retired racehorses long after their racing days are over.”
Established in 2016, IFAR works to advocate for the lifetime care of retired racehorses, to increase awareness within the international racing community of this important responsibility, and to increase awareness in the sport horse world regarding the versatility of the Thoroughbred horse.
The 2026 IFAR conference will also be receiving assistance from the Japan Racing Association (JRA), which has entered into a multi-year sponsorship agreement to support the activities of the organisation.
IFAR 2025 was held in Lexington, Kentucky, where the keynote speaker was four-time Olympian Boyd Martin. IFAR has also previously conducted forums in conjunction with the 40th ARC in Sapporo, Japan in August 2024; the 39th ARC in Melbourne, Australia in February 2023; the 38th ARC in Cape Town, South Africa, in February 2020; the European & Mediterranean Horseracing Federation’s General Assembly in Oslo, Norway, in May 2019; the 37th ARC in Seoul, South Korea, in May 2018; and the Pan American Conference in Washington, D.C., in May 2017. Virtual conferences were held in 2021 and 2022.
For more information about the 41st ARC and how to register, please visit https://www.arcriyadh2026.com.
IFAR is an independent forum that recognizes geographical and industry differences among racing countries and is designed to enhance Thoroughbred aftercare worldwide. For more information on IFAR, visit https://www.internationalracehorseaftercare.com and follow @IFARnews across social media.
International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses