ITBF – Working tirelessly on behalf of Thoroughbred breeders globally

The International Thoroughbred Breeders Federation, or ITBF as it is best known, is the sole international representative body for Thoroughbred breeders. It has under its wing, the best interests of the memberships of Thoroughbred breeders’ associations for 28 countries, across 6 continents. In equine figures, this amounts to over 110,000 mares, almost 4,000 stallions and around 80,000 foals
born annually.

The ITBF evolved out of the International Breeders’ Meeting – a group of like-minded individuals who gathered intermittently to discuss issues and exchange information. In 2012 the IBM, after 25 years, was restructured and formalised as the ITBF with a clear mission:

• To provide a platform for member countries’ mutual collaboration and assistance
• To address the various external challenges and opportunities faced by the International Thoroughbred Breeding Industry.
• To act as liaison body with racing and allied institutions and authorities, so that the International Thoroughbred Breeding Industry is represented and given space on worldwide forums.
• To uphold the Integrity of the Thoroughbred Breed through the continued global ban of all artificial breeding methods, in alignment with ISBC rules.

ITBF’s achievements, through its consistent work in serving Thoroughbred breeders, are many. Veterinary issues the world over are of course continuous, and increasingly challenging with climate change. The ever-present threat of the spread of equine diseases has been successfully managed largely through ITBF’s inception of the crucial ICC (International Collating Centre) reporting system, which gathers and disseminates disease information across the world.

ITBF is represented on multiple international committees and was forefront in the development of the High Health Breeding Status, now adopted by Ireland, in conjunction with the Digital Passport. Individual horses’ data is updated digitally in real time by vets, laboratories, regulatory bodies etc, allowing for the unrestricted movement in transport of HHB compliant equines. Importantly, ITBF sits on the International Movement of Horses Committee.

A hugely significant step in 2023 was the collaboration between the IFHA and ITBF. In the most challenging of times that the Thoroughbred industry has ever faced, both internally and externally, ITBF’s CEO Sarah Carmichael said

“ITBF is delighted to have harmonised with the IFHA. We are all aiming for the same end goal – the continued existence of the noble sport of racing, and producing high quality, sound, durable athletes to contest that sport”, she added “The joining of forces is crucial in securing the future of what is more than just an industry, it is an historic passion”

Also core to this agreement, is that ITBF is now rightly being fully consulted on all matters breeding related that occur within IFHA’s and IBRAW Agreement remit. The  formed working group, who meet on regular basis, are also finalising a Welfare in Breeding Guidelines, in conjunction with the ISBC.

ITBF holds its General Meeting and Conference every second year, hosted by different member countries. The Conference is an unrivalled opportunity for education, in-depth discussion with a plethora of world expert industry speakers on breeding, racing and veterinary topics. A full programme of events over the course of the week includes stud visits and race meetings, as well as events specific to the culture of the host nations. And, in this era of easy-access cyber meetings, there is still no substitute for face-to-face networking, especially so with key representatives from over 26 nations gathered in one place!

More recently in 2022, the Conference was held in Newmarket, dubbed ‘the home of racing in England’, with visits to two world-leading equine hospitals, the historic gallops, and stud visits to Juddmonte (getting up close and personal with the legendary Frankel), Darley’s Dalham Hall (viewing another icon, Dubawi), Cheveley Park, Lanwades and the National Stud. Hospitality included attending the Epsom Derby, dining in the Queens College Old Hall – steeped in Cambridge University history, to the uniqueness of the Jockey Club Rooms and a wonderfully entertaining evening provided by ITBF’s Chairman Kirsten Rausing, just weeks before the Lanwades’ homegrown Alpinista was victorious in the Gr.1 Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe.

ITBF Tokyo 2024 was hosted in fine style by the JBBA, with delegates attending the Gr.1 Oaks before being flown up to Hokkaido for an extensive two-day tour. This included the JRA Training & Research Center, Northern Farm, Darley Japan and stallion stations JBBA Shizunai and Shadai, meeting freshman sire and reigning World’s Best Racehorse, Equinox. A return to Tokyo for two days of meetings and unrivalled hospitality, was rounded off back at Tokyo racecourse for the Derby, attended by a staggering 80,000 racing fans. ITBF 2026 will be hosted by the French TBA, with more information being released in early 2025.

The evolvement of the ITBF Annual Webinar came about during covid and has become a firmly recognised industry calendar event,  growing in popularity each year. In 2024 the webinar gained over 930 attendees in 44 countries, with a video recording being made available to all registered soon after the live event. This online event has included exclusive and fascinating insights into the history and running of well-known industry operations such as The Aga Khan Studs, alongside a host of world-leading experts presenting on a variety of relevant veterinary subjects – such as EHV neurological form and Equine Grass Sickness. The 2025 webinar will take place on 18th February and this time will take on a different format. An international breeders’ panel, with invited speakers from Europe, USA, South America, Australia, Japan and South Africa will answer questions put to them. The theme will be ‘finding the way forward’ – a discussion on ideas, initiatives and incentives to combat current and future breeding challenges. Registration to attend will open early January via the ITBF website.

As the wider Thoroughbred industry experiences the intense demands put upon it and it becomes a more complex space for Thoroughbred breeding, ITBF too has to widen its remit. As a not-for- profit organisation, ITBF relies upon the generosity of loyal sponsors and continues to seek new partnerships  in order to fulfil its ever-increasing role in successfully serving as the voice of Thoroughbred breeders worldwide.

For further details of country membership and sponsorship opportunities, visit itbf.global or email sarah@itbf.global