LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association have announced that the International Thoroughbred Breeders Federation Conference (ITBF) will be held in Lexington, Ky. from October 30 to November 5, 2018. The conference was held most recently in Cape Town, South Africa in 2017.
Originally formed by Britain and Ireland, then later joined by France and the United States, the purpose of ITBF is to discuss common problems and exchange information on equine diseases, to attempt to bring in uniform cataloging standards, horse identity documentation, and generally to obtain a better understanding of the breeding industry in each country.
In recent times the achievements of the ITBF are the establishment of the International Collating Centre in Newmarket; direct representation on the International Movement of Horses Committee and the successful appeal to International Air Transport Association (IATA) to revise the conditions of air transport of pregnant mares.
“We are honored to be hosting the ITBF meetings for the first time in nearly 20 years,” said Dan Metzger, president of TOBA. “It’s a remarkable gathering of representatives from national breeders associations from around the world, sharing with each other the challenges and opportunities facing the Thoroughbred industry both in their countries and from a global perspective.”
Kirsten Rausing, ITBF’s chairman, said, “At present, Thoroughbred markets are developing in disparate and diverging ways, reflecting the international economic environment. It is of great importance for ITBF’s members to regularly meet, to exchange information and learn from each other. Our veterinary meeting addresses emerging equine diseases and other topical issues of worldwide interest.”
Throughout the duration of the conference the ITBF delegates will participate in a variety of educational and cultural experiences, including trips to several Thoroughbred farms across the Bluegrass, including Claiborne Farm, Darby Dan Farm, Lane’s End, Taylor Made Farm and WinStar Farm. The delegates will also experience bourbon distillery tours, the Breeders’ Cup Championship races and the breeding stock sales at Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland.
On October 31, ITBF will host the Veterinary Meeting of the conference which qualifies for Continuing Education Credits and registration is open to anyone in the Thoroughbred community who would like to attend. Topics and speakers to the Veterinary Meeting and registration information can be found online at https://toba.org/itbf2018/. Seating is limited.
ITBF Conference sponsors include Taylor Made Farm, Darby Dan Farm, Fasig-Tipton, Keeneland, Breeders’ Cup Limited, The Jockey Club, Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, Inc, The Horse and UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. For sponsorship information on the 2018 ITBF, please contact Meredith Downey at [email protected] or (859) 276-6793.
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