KEY POINTS:
There was a time when the Asian Racing Conference was spelled party, party, party. Which restaurant had been booked for dinner in the evening was more important than the keynote speakers.
Things have steadily improved and this week's Dubai-based Asian Racing Conference is exceptional.
Not only is this attracted the widest and most prestigious group of racing people ever, the speakers are from a totally different league than usual.
The address on "Can Racing Learn From Other Sports" was being provided by Malcolm Speed, CEO of the International Cricket Council; Jean-Francois Jeanette, senior marketing director of Sportfive, and Pat Williams, guiding force behind the Orlando Magic basketball team.
The first address on Monday night, New Zealand time, was particularly appropriate for Australia and New Zealand.
The report stated:
"A growing need for uniform medication rules around the world was underlined by officials representing both racing jurisdictions and the International Racing Bureau."
Adrian Beaumont, IRB director of racecourse services, pointed out that the explosion of racing carnivals and important meetings around the globe had raced ahead of government protocols.
After 24 years of working with the Newmarket, England-based IRB, Beaumont said that if he had three wishes that could make international racing and shipment of horses more efficient, the first would be a "level playing field in terms of medication".
Beaumont's comments, made during the second operational session, echoed those made earlier in the day by Mark Player, Hong Kong Jockey Club manager of international races, sale and development.
Player said medication rules should be made uniform around the world if international racing series ultimately were to succeed and help the sport grow.
Differing medication rules have become a major issue this year, with horses being disqualified in major international group one races because they tested positive for medications that were not allowed in the jurisdiction in which they raced. However, reaching a standardised status on medication could be difficult, Beaumont acknowledged.
"When we talk about medication, we're really talking about America," he stated, referring to the fact that drug rules in the United States are viewed as the world's most liberal.
Differing levels of drug testing also are factors in the problems faced by international racing participants.
For example, Beaumont noted that testing in Hong Kong was the most rigorous in the world.
Horses lined up for races there would face different scrutiny than they would elsewhere.
One practical way to deal with differing testing standards was to conduct tests before horses were shipped to international meetings to determine if there were likely to be any problems with medication rules at the overseas tracks.
Another way would involve pre-race testing on the day of the race, Beaumont said.
With those kinds of tests, racing could avoid embarrassing disqualifications following post-race positive tests.
Beaumont said his other two wishes in regard to the conference theme of Racing without Borders' would be:
Shorten the quarantine period for racing in Australia.
Review protocols concerning racehorses' residency outside their country of origin.
In other discussions, Dr Patricia Ellis, secretary to the International Movement of Horses Committee (IMHC) and veterinary adviser to the Australian Racing Board, said, in some cases, governments were restricting the growth of international racing through various rules and policies.
She urged that international standards be developed. Ellis also called for the international horse committee to work more closely with racing authorities and governments to eliminate problems.
Also on Monday, the racing conference held a workshop on racing technology.
It was chaired by Robert de Kock, chief executive of the National Horseracing Authority, and featured some innovations designed to keep racing at the cutting edge of sport.
