International Role

The IHRB is the internationally recognised horseracing authority for Ireland in respect of its functions and will take over the International roles of both the Turf Club and the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee which are listed below:

1. International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA)

The Turf Club is a founder member of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, which was established in 1993 together with the Jockey Club of Great Britain, the Jockey Club of the United States and the Société d'Encouragement pour l'Amélioration des Races de Chevaux de Galop en France/France-Galop. The main aim of the Federation is to promote horse racing and breeding, and the integrity and prestige thereof, throughout the world. The Federation replaced the International Joint Secretarial Liaison Committee which was established in 1961 where the Chief Executives of Horseracing Authorities Great Britain, Ireland (The Turf Club), United States and France met and discussed subjects of common interest. This Committee played an essential role in the development of international relations and the harmonisation of rules of racing.

2. European Horserace Scientific Liaison Committee

The Turf Club is a founder member of the European Horserace Scientific Liaison Committee (EHSLC), which was set up in 1992 following discussions between France, Britain and Ireland. The aim of the Committee is to work towards greater harmonisation in doping control and to encourage co-operation in research so as to face future challenges concerning the illegal use of prohibited substances in racing.

In recent years the racing authorities of Germany, Italy and the Scandinavian countries joined the EHSLC.

3. International Conference for the Health, Safety and Welfare of Jockeys

The Turf Club is one of the founder members of the International Conference for the Health, Safety and Welfare of Jockeys. A conference takes place every two years, which deals with jockeys’ health and welfare issues attended by representatives of 15 international racing jurisdictions. The Turf Club currently holds the chairmanship of the conference and has done so since its inception.

4. European Medical Officers Group

The Turf Club is a founder member of the European Medical Officers group together with the chief medical officers of France, Britain and Germany. The main objective of this group is to set uniform medical standards for riders in Europe. The Turf Club currently holds the chairmanship of this group.

5. World Thoroughbred Rankings Conference

The Turf Club is a member of the World Thoroughbred Rankings Conference, which prepares the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities’ official end of year assessment of the top thoroughbred flat racehorses. The rankings comprise all horses which have run during the calendar year, and which have been rated above a certain standard by the World Thoroughbred Rankings Conference.

6. Anglo-Irish Classifications

The Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee is a founder member of the Anglo-Irish Classifications, which is responsible for the publication of the official end of year assessment of the top National Hunt horses in Ireland and Britain.

7. International Committee for the Harmonisation of Raceday Rules

The Turf Club is a member of the International Committee for the Harmonisation of Raceday Rules, which is the committee that has been charged by the IFHA with the harmonisation of Rules of Racing internationally.