On behalf of the Japan Racing Association, it gives me great pleasure to invite delegates and visitors from racing nations around the world to the 32nd Asian Racing Conference to be held in Tokyo, Japan from 9th to 14th November, 2008.

The 32nd Asian Racing Conference will be held in Tokyo for the fourth time and I feel a great sense of affinity with the Asian Racing Federation, as together with the Japan Racing Association we have gone forward into the modern era.

The history of horseracing in Japan dates back to as early as the eighth century. However, the first western style races were introduced in Yokohama in 1862, with the Japan Racing Association being established in 1954. The inaugural ARC was held in Tokyo six years later in 1960.

In 1981, the Japan Cup was launched with the aim of building thoroughbred racing in Japan to a sports entertainment at the international level. Since then, we have always strived to raise the caliber of Japanese horses to enable them to compete with top-level horses from around the world.

The first Japan Cup brought international participants from Canada, India, Turkey and the USA and finished with shattering defeats for the Japanese horses. Since then, the JRA has endeavored not only to improve the quality of our thoroughbreds and bring them to a world-class level, but also to internationalize Japanese racing and invigorate thoroughbred racing at the international level through the Asian Racing Federation.

The Asian Mile Challenge, which connects signature mile Group One races in ARF countries, was founded in 2005 and the JRA was promoted to a Part I country of the International Cataloguing Standards in 2007 with the great support and cooperation from the ARF. The Asian Racing Conference, which started with 69 attendees from seven countries, has grown to be one of the leading international thoroughbred conferences in the world, attracting almost 1000 people gathering from 31 countries.

For the 32nd ARC, the slogan is “New Horizons for Racing”. At this conference, eminent persons from the various fields both inside and outside of the racing industry are scheduled to cover a variety of topics on the agenda and vibrant discussions are expected. We hope you will take advantage of this special occasion and join us to exchange valuable ideas and information and foster goodwill between racing nations.

I would also like to inform you of the JRA’s new initiative called “The Japan Autumn International” which as its name suggests takes place in the beautiful season of autumn. The Japan Autumn International is a series of four international Grade 1 races held at the Kyoto, Tokyo and Hanshin Racecourses. I hope this will add another international dimension to Japanese racing.

We look forward to seeing you at the 32nd Asian Racing Conference in Tokyo in November.

On behalf of the Executive Council of the Asian Racing Federation it is my pleasure to invite you to join us for the 32nd Asian Racing Conference in Tokyo from 9th to 14th November 2008.

Building on the success of our last conference in Dubai, where we reflected on the ARF’s continuing efforts to develop its racing within the context of an increasingly globalised sport, the 32nd ARC with its theme of “New Horizons for Racing” will focus on future opportunities for racing and our readiness to excel in the global sports and entertainment arena.

The conference brings together racing and wagering professionals from not only the world’s most progressive, but also its up-and-coming jurisdictions to share their experiences and expert opinions. We have also invited leading entrepreneurs and professionals outside of racing to give additional perspectives and to extend our horizons. There is no better place or time to catch up on the latest developments from across the region and around the world.

This is the fourth time for the conference to be held in Tokyo, and our hosts, the Japan Racing Association, are once again making every effort to put together a truly special event. From a rich and exciting business agenda to a well-thought-out social program, which will take delegates to see both ultra-modern Tokyo and its historic heritage, the JRA will without doubt make Tokyo a most welcoming conference.

The 32nd Asian Racing Conference will be a memorable occasion for Asian racing and it is our pleasure to invite your participation. We look forward to welcoming you to Tokyo.