July 2010 Vol. 18 No. 3 2・ 7 3 4 ～ 5 6 8 After the 33rd The 2010 Hokkaido Summer Sale Invitation to G1 Race ARC Conference Asia Week Sapporo Results in Sydney Introduction to Hidaka, Racecourse the main breeding area of thoroughbred Grand opening of the newly renovated Hakodate Racecourse After the 33rd ARC Conference The 2010 Asia Week in Sydney Asia Week was established in 1994 to foster friendship (Environment and Challenges Surrounding Horseracing) Summer Sale", breeding farms, and information about and mutual understanding with the horseracing people in some tourist attractions . -Interview with Dr. Koji Sato, the Chairman of ARF- Asian countries through exchange races. We are looking forward to meeting you in Hokkaido. JRA actively holds exchange races between foreign horseracing authorities and racecourses. We each make The 33rd ARC (Asian Racing Conference) was held for one week from April 9 to 15 in Sydney, Australia. Regarding this conference, we had an interview with Dr. Koji Sato, the Chairman of ARF and the JRA Presidential Counselor for the original trophy for the first running, and then Asia Week Schedule Foreign Affairs exchange it. From the following year, we hold the race once a year with a name associated with each country. August 21st 8R Thailand Cup satellite TV while being at home, Conference Overview (Sat.) 9R Malaysia Cup which let new forms of business JRA officers attend the exchange race day held at the 11R Singapore Turf Club Sho The ARC was established for 1. To meet and foster goodwill and mutual more active. Under such situation, racecourse in the overseas host country and hands the understanding through the medium of periodic conferences and other racing some companies sell betting tickets events in the member countries. 2. To promote horseracing and breeding and the without paying the appropriate JRA trophy to the owner of the winning horse. Also repre- Welcome Dinner integrity and prestige thereof by any means that the Federation shall consider expense to the horseracing industry sentatives from each country visit Japan for the exchange appropriate and which are in compliance with all existing laws, rules and to get the “wealth without work.” regulations. 3. To encourage and develop mutually beneficial objectives and This is one of the major factors race and act as the presenter at the winning ceremony of August 22nd 8R Philippines Trophy strategies between racing organizations without discrimination to aid the develop- which interfere with the healthy the exchange race concerned. These races play an impor- (Sun.) 11R Macau Jockey Club Trophy ment of horseracing. 4. To exchange ideas and information on matters connected fund flow of the racing industry as 12R India Trophy with horseracing. 5. To encourage, promote and support international competition the “commerce without morality.” tant role in the exchange of racing people through the for jockeys and horses when conditions permit. In 1960 the first conference was In order to go back to the ideal situation for the industry by removing the factors races. held in Tokyo with 69 delegates attending from seven countries, in 2001 it was which interfere with the horseracing development, becoming a member of ARF is Asia Week had been held at either Kokura Racecourse August 23rd (Mon.) and after renamed and became the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), and this year is the 50th required. And we can’t manage the industry stably and continually without Tour to the “Hokkaido Summer Sale” anniversary. cooperating with all racing organizations and stakeholders in the world and (Fukuoka) or Chukyo Racecourse (Aichi) , but this year From 31 countries including Europe and United States, 676 delegates gathered building up the economy for realizing the happiness of all people involved in the (August 23rd to 27th,JBBA Hokkaido Sales Complex) at this conference. Various fields and industries related to horseracing such as horseracing. we decided to hold it at Sapporo Racecourse in Hokkaido, and breeding farms horseracing authorities and promoters as well as public administration, wagering the center of the breeding in Japan in conjunction with the / broadcast enterprises, farm staffs took part in this conference. The aspect of Environment and Challenges Surrounding the "Hokkaido Summer Sale" in order to deepen the under- having the opportunities to gain insights to technology through the exhibitions by Horseracing Industry the horseracing-related companies and being held on rotational basis among the standing of the entire Japanese horseracing industry. different member countries, led to make the ARC one of the major international Q. What do you think of the current status of the horseracing This year, in addition to attending racing at Sapporo racing conferences in the world of thoroughbred horseracing. world? At this conference, ARF became the international racing organization consist- A. The horseracing industry has been in a stagnant situation for quite a long time. Racecourse, we will provide the tour to the "Hokkaido ing of 21 member countries and regions and one associate member country with Various interests of stakeholders are complexly intertwined compared to the (Racecourse) Mongol approved as associate member and Vietnam as member country, so ARF casino which is our competitor and the growing single enterprise, and it is very Sapporo should play a great part for Asian racing development and international coordina- difficult to make a decision and strategy immediately. Therefore, the urgent New Chitose Airport tion of horseracing. business to keep maintaining and developing the horseracing is that the entire horseracing industry should work together and function as one business entity. In Travel Information Shizunai Q. You experienced as the Japanese first chairman since its order to achieve this, we need to reconsider the whole structure of operation in the (Hokkaido Sales Complex) establishment, didn’t you have a lot of difficulties? areas of Products Offering, Channel of distribution, Marketing, Brand Effort, Urakawa A. No. This time I had a strong support from Japanese Team with highly Customer Satisfaction, Revenue Sharing and so on. (JRA Hidaka experienced 33 members consisting of JRA and affiliated companies, NAR, and Moreover, we need to “find new customers, take in the younger generation and Access to Sapporo city from New Chitose Airport Yearling journalists as well as Mr. Masahiro Araki, the Vice President of JBBA and the expand fan base” for resolving the problems to develop horseracing permanently. Training Farm) President of HBA. For one of the most important themes “Future Customer,” we received various (40km) The Chairman of Racing New South Wales, Mr. Alan Brown and his staffs as topics and suggestions through the Plenary Sessions. The growth of the Internet Mombetsu the host organization also made a great effort for successful conference. I would has rapidly changed the consumers’ trend and their preference for information Racecourse like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to them. acquisition. 36 minutes by JR railway (Airport Rapid Service) (1,040 Japanese yen) In Australia this is the 200th anniversary year since the first horseracing was We participants now have shared awareness the following as the key to solve About 70 minutes by high-way bus (1,000 yen) Hidaka area held at Hyde Park Racecourse in Sydney in 1810. It was an honour to be able to the problems: (1) providing high-quality and immediate service and information (the main Mt.Apoi attend this memorable ARC as the Chairman. continually, (2) selecting marketing method according to generations, (3) About 50 minutes by taxi (12,000 yen) breeding area) providing information and topics using new technologies including social Cape Erimo Q. Could you give us a review on the conference? networking services (for example, Facebook and Twitter), (4) providing betting A. The slogan of the conference was "Racing into the Future.” We had active system and information through the Internet and cell-phone (smartphone), HD/3D Access to Hidaka area from Sapporo city discussions on various matters such as what to do for racing industry’s develop- television and so on. From now on, the entire horseracing industry should build the (Shizunai ; 130km / Urakawa ; 170km) ment to the next 50 or 100 years later. specific strategies based on these keys and work on them. Beginning with Executive Council/Management Committee Meeting, we held We also need to take care of coordination with the general public. At the the special committee sessions, ARF Grading & Race Planning Advisory selective sessions with the theme “Animal Welfare,” we had exchange of opinions Committee (GRPC), Stewards Meeting, and Asian Stud Book Conference, on problems which racing organizations in each country has recently confronted About (150 / 240) minutes by JR railway (4,960 / 5,690 yen) followed by the Plenary Sessions for three days: including “Future Customer,” for the first time. In terms of high interest to the animal welfare and response to ★note; need transfer “Business & Wagering,” “Racing,” “Hypothetical,” and then Selective Sessions the animal protection group, we are now required to work in order not to be Hokkaido including “Animal Welfare,” “Riders’ Safety & Training,” “Racecourse Facilities considered that we have performed abuse against horses. About (150 / 200) minutes by high-way bus (2,340 / 2,850 yen) and Synthetic Track Surfaces,” “Racing in the Region.” As one of these activities, a