‘Under the theme of Innovate, Collaborate, Transform the 37th Asian Racing Conference embraces the soul of South Korea, embodies the values of the Korea Racing Authority and captures what is necessary for racing to be successful in the 21st Century.’
These are the words of Mr Lee Yang ho, Chairman and CEO of the Korea Racing Authority, in announcing that the 37th Asian Racing Conference will be conducted in Seoul on 13 – 18 May this year.
‘Over the recent year, Korea’s racing has developed rapidly, however, the challenges we face are not dissimilar to those of the racing industry world-wide,’ stated Mr Lee in his opening address.
‘The KRA has vigorously sought to develop a fundamental innovation to cope with the challenges and pressures that the changing environments present,’ said Mr Lee. ‘We are delighted to be able to exchange our experiences and knowledge with participants from all over the world, as we seek solutions together.’
‘The 37th Asian Racing Conference will pave a new path for the Asian Racing Industry to become a leading reformer in the international arena. The conference will offer various programs to appeal to participants from around the Asian region and world-wide.’
The Seoul hosted 37th Conference opens on Sunday 13 May at Seoul Racecourse with the ARF Commemorative Race run alongside the prestigious Korean Derby.
The Conference’s formal format commences on Monday 14th May with the ARF Management and Exco Meetings, Asian Stud Book Conference, Asian-African Tote Association, Stipendiary Stewards Meeting and Asian Pattern Committee. The Opening Ceremony and Welcome Dinner will be held that evening.
Business Sessions, Specialists and Exhibitions are conducted over the following three days with the Closing Ceremony and Farewell Dinner on the Wednesday evening.
The Conference concludes with the Jeju Island Post-Conference Tour on Friday 18 May, taking in the KRA National Stud Farm and Training Centre plus visiting the Jeju Race Park.
The first Asian Racing Conference was held in Tokyo in 1960 under the initiative of Count Todamasa Sakai, President of the Japan Racing Association and Mr U Chit Khine of the Rangoon Turf Club.
Sixty-nine delegates from Burma, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaya, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand attended this conference with Indian cancelling due to logistical difficulties. Australia, India, New Zealand and Sarawak joined at the 2nd Conference in 1961.
The Asian Racing Conference expanded rapidly both in delegate numbers and across geographical regions. Korea and Turkey were admitted at the 9th Conference in 1970, followed by Indonesia, Pakistan, Bahrain, Macau, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar, with Vietnam the latest nation to gain full membership the Asian Racing Federation.
Today Mongolia an associate member of the Asian Racing Federation with China, Indonesia, Kuwait and Turkmenistan affiliate members.
In expanding the 37th Conference’s them of innovate, Collaborate, Transform South Korea says that Innovation is a primary driver of its extraordinary economic rise over the past decades. Bloomberg in 2016 ranked South Korea as the world’s most innovative economy.
Collaboration is the outstanding progress the KRA has made towards the establishment and organisation of horse racing in South Korea, including first hosting the international races in 2016. The KRA is at the forefront of shaping tomorrow’s horse racing with the international racing industry.
Globalisation has Transformed the nature of the business environment and the success of the horse racing industry. Racing’s ability to respond to change and transformation is to keep-up with the ever-changing market place.