17th November 2008

Attended by Merrick Haydon from Revolution, the 32nd Asian Racing Conference in Tokyo officially got underway with a lavish Opening Ceremony providing the fireworks on Monday evening.

The conference returned to Japan in style after a 23-year absence, with the ceremony spearheading what should be a four days packed with debate and deliberation during six plenary sessions and three selective sessions that will further galvanize thoroughbred racing in Asia—and the rest of the world.

The ARC—the fourth to be held in Japan—came home to its origin where the conference was incepted in 1960, when 69 members from seven nations attended. The ARC has grown leaps and bounds since then, with a delegation of 850 from 33 countries and regions taking part in the highly anticipated meetings this week.

The Minister extended his personal welcome to the audience, and pointed to the strides Japanese racing has taken since the last ARC was organized in 1960. “In the world of racing, 23 years is the equivalent of batting an eyelash,” he said. “But in that time, the international reputation of racing in our country has grown and it is an absolute honor for us to welcome everyone as a Part I nation.”

“The theme of the 32nd conference is “New Horizons,” and indeed we think it’s symbolic that this morning, the management committee voted to its associate membership of our federation the Saigon Racing Club and the Jockey Club of Russia,” he said, referring to the decision sealed and approved by ARF’s Management Committee Meeting to include Vietnam and Russia in the organization.

“There can be no doubt that this conference you have organized this week will be one of the most significant and successful event of world racing.”  Dr. Kenji Tsuchikawa, JRA President CEO and the host of ARC Tokyo 2008, had the last words to a spectacular night—and the start of what should be an intense and fruitful conference.  “I would like to welcome our warm welcome to each and every one of you who traveled from all corners of the world to participate in the 32nd Asian Racing Conference,” he said. “To the Asian Racing Conference itself, I would like to say, ‘Welcome back to Tokyo.’”

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