Louis Romanet: equine welfare and racing aftercare of paramount importance

Equine welfare and racing aftercare have been placed firmly at the top of the current agenda by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, the worldwide body that sets guidelines for all jurisdictions.

Speaking to the Racing Post after Tuesday’s IFHA executive council meeting, which included a debrief on the impact of a half-day session on horse welfare and public perception at its annual conference in Paris the day before, chairman Louis Romanet said: “Welfare is the number one priority, without any doubt.”

He added: “In recent years there has been a change in the responsibility we have as administrators and now no-one will take the risk of minimising their efforts on equine welfare, which is also closely linked with our second most important priority, to guarantee a level playing field and protect the integrity of the sport, which is fundamental.”