The International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) announced 22 December the complete schedule and anticipated speakers for its upcoming annual conference.
Scheduled for 9 February 2026, the 10th IFAR Conference will be held in conjunction with the 41st Asian Racing Conference (ARC), which is scheduled to take place 9 – 14 February 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.
The 10th IFAR conference will feature a tour of the JCSA’s Retraining & Riding Academy followed by a lineup of international speakers who will address a wide range of topics relating to the aftercare of racehorses. HRH Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, Chairman of JCSA, will officially open the conference.
The keynote address will be delivered by HRH Princess Nanda-Devi Norodom, the President of the Cambodian Equestrian Federation, who will speak on advocating for Thoroughbreds in emerging equestrian nations.
“Retrained ex-racehorses serve as the vital bridge between global equine welfare best practices and the ambitions of an emerging equestrian nation,” she said. “They are high-calibre assets that enhance our competitive sport while simultaneously establishing a foundation for the next generation of riders and grooms.”
Through a mix of presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities, the annual conference fosters global collaboration and encourages practical, forward-thinking approaches to aftercare. Renowned broadcaster David Eades will serve as moderator for the 2026 IFAR Conference.
The first panel, Industry Leaders – Future Vision for Aftercare, will feature Andrew Harding, ARF Secretary General and Executive Director of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA); Paull Khan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF); Aaron Morrison, CEO of Racing Victoria; and Salem Saeed Binmahfooz, Chairman Advisor and Technical Committee member of the JCSA. The second panel, Industry Wide Responsibility, includes Rob Dauth of MyRacehorse, Lisa-Jane Graffard of Au-Delà des Pistes (ADDP) and Dr. Alan Lai of Champs Legacy.
There will also be three presentations. Abdullah A. AlAseeri, Secretary-General of the Saudi Equestrian Authority, will discuss aftercare in Riyadh. Grace Muir will present on HEROS, which combines retraining and rehoming with children’s education, veterinary education, and owner development. Melissa Ware of Racing Victoria will cover traceability and measuring the success of post-racing programs.
“We are thrilled to welcome an incredible lineup of speakers who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the 2026 IFAR Conference,” said Natasha Rose, chair of the IFAR Conference Committee and the Executive Manager, Equestrian Affairs Projects, at The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC). “Their insights and forward thinking on the aftercare industry will not only be compelling but also poised to inspire and ignite meaningful conversations among attendees. This conference is a unique opportunity to engage and delve deeper into the future of our industry.”
IFAR is free to attend. Interested parties can register here.
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.
IFAR has a long history of collaboration with the ARF, and this is the fifth time it will be held in conjunction with the ARC. The 2026 IFAR Conference will be presented in association with, and with the support of, the JCSA. It will also be proudly supported by the Japan Racing Association, which has entered into a multi-year sponsorship agreement to support IFAR’s activities around the world.
For more information on IFAR, visit https://www.internationalracehorseaftercare.com and follow @IFARnews across social media.
International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses