The video replays from the ninth International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) are now available on the IFAR website. The videos can also be found on IFAR’s YouTube channel.
“We are pleased to make the video replays available for those who were unable to attend the latest IFAR conference,” said IFAR Chair Dr. Eliot Forbes. “This year’s conference featured an exceptional lineup—Olympians, veterinarians, aftercare pioneers, researchers, and leaders from across the racing and equestrian community—whose insights aren’t just relevant, but essential, for anyone committed to the responsible aftercare of racehorses.”
The ninth IFAR conference took place from April 24-26 in Lexington, Kentucky, and welcomed guests from 13 countries representing more than 65 organizations. The first day of the three-day event featured a traditional conference at Spy Coast Farm’s Equine Education Center, while the rest of IFAR 2025 included on-site visits to four aftercare organizations in the area as well as a social outing to the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.
The all-day conference, which focused on aftercare organizations, featured six panels addressing important topics in aftercare with experts from around the world. Aftercare professional Jen Roytz served as the moderator, while four-time Olympian and Thoroughbred advocate Boyd Martin was the keynote speaker.
Following the conclusion of the panels, IFAR delegates departed for New Vocations to attend its Open Barn & BBQ event. The next day, three additional aftercare organizations hosted IFAR: Central Kentucky Riding for Hope (CKRH), Old Friends, the Secretariat Center. The final day featured a social gathering during the cross-country portion of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, one of the world’s premier equestrian 5* events. Artist, a New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred ridden by Monica Spencer, finished in the Top 10, as did all three of Martin’s horses.
The Japan Racing Association (JRA), which has entered into a multi-year sponsorship agreement to support the activities of IFAR, was the presenting sponsor of the 2025 IFAR Conference. The Jockey Club (US) and the NTA were lunch sponsors, ReRun was the breakfast sponsor, and Godolphin was the transportation sponsor. Panel sponsors included Brook Ledge Horse Transportation, Equiscope Performance, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, and Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
Additionally, Godolphin hosted IFAR attendees who arrived early at its Jonabell Farm the day before the conference began. It also partnered with Keeneland to provide a chance to see morning training and attend the races at the track. Dr. Stuart Brown, Keeneland’s Equine Safety Director, met with IFAR attendees during the morning tour.
IFAR has previously conducted forums in conjunction with the 40th Asian Racing Conference (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.
IFAR is an independent forum that recognizes geographical and industry differences among racing countries and is designed to enhance Thoroughbred aftercare worldwide. IFAR will raise awareness of the importance of welfare for Thoroughbreds, improve education on lifetime care, and help increase demand for former racehorses in other equestrian sports. For more information on IFAR, visit https://www.internationalracehorseaftercare.com or follow our socials @IFARnews.
Conference photos for editorial use are available upon request. Please contact ifarconference@gmail.com for more information.
International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses