INTERNATIONAL racing consultant Ciaran Kennelly is in town to help the Philippine Racing Commission in its efforts to raise its standards befitting a new member of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.
The Philracom recently achieved a milestone of being formally accepted as a member of the IFHA, whose mission is to promote good regulation and best practices on international matters pertaining to the sport.
Philracom Chairman Andrew Sanchez said Kennelly’s presence and inputs will be a big boost to the local horseracing industry.
“He’s here to help us become worthy of our IFHA membership in terms of handicapping rules and procedure, transfer of technology and the like,” said the Philracom board, which briefed Kennelly on the status of the local horseracing scene at its office in Makati City.
The high-profile IFHA executive is here to review the current structure of the Philracom’s Racing Programme and prepare a draft that will include the possibility of setting up a rating-based handicapping system, the structures that will have to be in place and the maintenance and updating of the ratings and the like.
“In order to achieve these objectives, I would have to review their current structures and racing programme and meet the administrators of racing and personnel involved in the running of racing at their (Philippines’) three races tracks,” said Kennelly.
Kennelly arrived on Tuesday evening and immediately got his feet wet on Wednesday by visiting the Manila Jockey Club in Carmona, Cavite after a briefing with Philracom officials at the Acacia Hotel in Alabang.
In the afternoon, Kennelly presented to racing managers, club handicappers and racing officials his International Handicapping System, before observing the races at the MJCI dedicated in his honor.
After his briefing at the Philracom office on Thursday, he discussed Internal Policies of the Regulatory Function of Handicapping rules and procedures and horse groupings with Moises Cundangan and Ferdinand Diva.
Commissioner Niles said Philracom’s entry into the IFHA membership “will make sure that horseracing in the Philippines is held at the highest level.”
“Race owners are very excited because they know this will open new avenues for them. At the same time, this will ensure that Philippine racing will move towards globalization,” explained Niles, adding the Philippines’ top horses can compete in future races abroad and vice versa.