IN line with the country’s membership in the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, the Philippine Racing Commission has launched the rating-based handicapping system modeled after that of IFHA.
Philracom Executive Director Andrew Rovie Buencamino said that last June 20, the Commission held a meeting with horse owners and trainers to introduce the new system.
“Rating-based handicapping,” said Buencamino, “is the system used in almost all progressive racing authorities and is adopted by IFHA for handicapping horses in international invitational races.
“The Philracom will conduct rating-based handicapping races five weekends per racing club and will add to the prizes a total of P1 million per weekend, depending on how the club will formulate its race lineup.
“Philracom is strongly pushing and campaigning for our local industry to adopt this [system] so we can begin to synch with programs abroad.”
Buencamino, a veterinarian, also emphasized that the alignment of local standards with that of IFHA is ongoing in other aspects as well, including drug testing for horses, training programs for trainers and jockeys, and standards for race track infrastructure and maintenance, among others.
“These are some of the matters that we want to spearhead for our industry,” said Buencamino, “and all our efforts in this regard will be synchronized and updated with IFHA.”
Founded in 1993, among IFHA’s main objectives are “to coordinate and harmonize the rules of the member-countries regarding breeding, racing, and wagering” and “to ensure the quality and fairness of racing in the interest of both the breeding [sic] and the public.”
IFHA is also concerned with policies and actions related to the protection and welfare of “horses, jockeys, and the people attending” the races.
Moreover, in line with its mission to “promote good regulation and best practices on international matters” related to racing and breeding, the organization informs its members about the latest statistics and trends in global markets.
Kudos to the present Commission under Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez, ably supported by Executive Director Buencamino, who are all working proactively and innovatively to promote and uplift the industry to international standards.
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Here’s the list of upcoming Philracom and other-sponsored stakes races and racefests. Kareristas, mark your calendars!
July 16: Metro Manila Turf Club, Inc. (MMTCI), Philracom 6th leg Imported/Local; July 30: Philippine Racing Club, Inc. (PRCI), 3rd leg Triple Crown, Hopeful S., 3YO Local-bred S.
Aug. 6: MMTCI, 4th leg Local 4YO and Older; Aug. 13: Manila Jockey Club, Inc. (MJCI), Philracom stakes races; Aug. 27: MMTCI, 7th leg Imported/Local.
Sept. 3: MJCI, Mayor Bagatsing Memorial Racing Festival, Philracom 1st leg Juvenile Fillies, 1st leg Juvenile Colts; Sept. 10: PRCI, Japan Racing Association Racing Festival; Sept. 17: MMTCI, Lakambini S.; Sept. 24: MJCI, 5th leg Local 4YO and Older.
Oct 8: MMTCI, Klub Don Juan de Manila, 2nd leg Juvenile Fillies, 2nd leg Juvenile Colts; Oct 15: MJCI, Philracom stakes race; Oct 22: PRCI, Sampaguita S., 1st leg 3YO Imported Fillies. Nov. 12: PRCI, MARHO Cup Championships, Philracom Amb. Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. Cup, 2nd leg Imported Fillies; Nov 19: MMTCI, Sprint tuneup; Nov 26: MJCI, 3rd leg Juvenile Fillies, 3rd leg Juvenile Colts.
Dec. 3: PRCI, Philtobo Championships, Philracom Chairman’s Cup, 3YO Imported Fillies Championship; Dec 17: PCSO Presidential Gold Cup (venue TBA); Dec 24: PRCI, Juvenile Championship, Philracom stakes races; Dec 31: MMTCI, Philracom Grand Sprint.
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