Edited release from Asian Racing Conference
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, chief executive officer-designate of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, has been elected chairman of the Asian Racing Federation.
Engelbrecht-Bresges has been a prominent figure in the German and Hong Kong horse racing industries for more than 20 years.
“I am honored to be elected as chairman, and I believe that for Hong Kong to continue to head the ARF after four years of leadership already truly reflects our standing in world racing,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said Jan. 24 at the Asian Racing Conference in Dubai. “The ARF has come a long way as the key driver of major developments in the region’s racing industry, and I have no doubt that our concerted efforts will further enhance our importance in the international racing arena.
“It will be our role to assist up-and-coming racing jurisdictions in the region, focusing especially on the training and accreditation of racing professionals and administrators. In order to solicit more support from the governments of each member jurisdiction, I believe we should proactively approach our respective authorities with a view to broadening their views and perspectives towards racing and its future developments.”
Lawrence Wong, in his farewell speech as ARF chairman, said the profile of Asian racing continues to grow at a rapid pace, and that he believes the conference was productive.
“As has been reflected in our conference theme ‘Racing without Borders,’ we are clearly moving towards a globalized racing environment,” he said. “Although obstacles and challenges remain in the racing industry, our momentum toward borderless--and responsible--racing is unstoppable.”
The next Asian Racing Conference would be held in Japan in November 2008, officials said. The conference brings together 20 racing jurisdictions from across the region in an attempt to foster goodwill and improve the standards of racing in Asia.