ITBF general meeting falls victim to coronavirus outbreak

The International Thoroughbred Breeders' Federation's (ITBF) general meeting, which was due to take place in Paris on June 12-14, has been cancelled because of the global coronavirus pandemic.

The ITBF executive committee is working on finding replacement dates and will advise its members as soon as possible. The corresponding dates in June in 2021 have been suggested as the most likely replacement.

Despite the cancellation of the general meeting, a message on the ITBF's website urged breeders to contact the organisation with information on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, saying: "As an International Federation we are here to aid communication between our member countries and we do encourage you to send us updates on how the coronavirus is effecting your breeding operations and how it is being managed.

"With this information we can keep our website current with global Thoroughbred Breeding Industry news and valuable information."

The ITBF comprises 21 members from around the world, including Australia, Chile, Britain, France, Ireland, Jamaica and the US. Kirsten Rausing, owner and manager of Lanwades Stud in Newmarket, is the organisation's chairman.

More Coronavirus news:

Vendors left to make new plans after cancellation of Ascot March Sale

Italian industry adapting to the strictest measures during national lockdown

Haras de Bouquetot to temporarily suspend stallion activity from Monday