The curtains came down on the 36^th Asian Racing Conference on Thursday with a taste of ‘Bollywood’ at the sprawling lawns of the Mahalaxmi race course. The efforts of the organizing committee in conducting a successful conference was highly appreciated by all the 600 and odd delegates from across the globe.

“As the 36th ARC draws to a close, I know that I speak for everyone here when I say this – India, you have done a wonderful job,” said Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. “Having hosted the last ARC in Hong Kong, I have first-hand experience of the breadth and scale of what is required to stage a successful conference. The Organising Committee has dealt with every aspect with great success.”

Mr. Engelbrecht-Bresges specially recognized the efforts of the Chairman of the Host Committee, Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla, and Surender Reddy, India’s representative on the ARF Executive Council. “I again congratulate India on a wonderful Conference and being a fantastic host. Your warm hospitality has given us a real taste of the rich Indian culture,” he concluded.

The evening ended with a sizzling musical performance by the famed Shankar Mahadevan and his troupe.

The conference got off to a blazing start on Sunday, the 24^th with a race day at the historic Mahalaxmi race track. The Villoo Poonawalla Indian Oaks Grade I, an Indian Classic for 4 years old and the Asian Racing Conference Trophy, a Terms race for 3 years old only were run along with six other highly competitive programmes with sponsored races.

The bureau sessions and various committee meetings were held on Monday followed by a grand opening ceremony at the National Sports Club of India in the evening. Honourable Governor of Maharashtra Shri  Chennamaneni Vidyasagar Rao declared the conference open. The Guest of Honour, Her Highness Princess Zara Aga Khan addressed the gathering recounting her family’s several triumphs on Indian Turf.

The audience comprising of various delegates from across the racing world and dignitaries were entertained with dance performances and given firsthand experience of the Indian culture through a variety of exotic presentations. The mystic touch was added with the Panchtatva act symbolizing the essence of elements like air, water, fire and space enlightened the delegates. Popular cine star Jacqueline Fernandez took the stage to thrill the local audience with a spectacular performance of her hit songs from her movies.

The serious business and specialist sessions got underway on Tuesday at the prestigious Trident hotel, located on Marine Drive and overlooking the Arabian Sea and the ‘Queen’s Necklace’ by which name the Marine Drive area is known. The sessions covered various topics with presentations made by experts in the field of racing from across the world providing an insight into the complexities that surround the sport of horse racing today. Topics like Breeding, Wagering, Industry Profiles, Race Course Management, Racing Media, Marketing racing, Handicapping, International Horse Movements, Drugging in Racing, Illegal Gambling, Fresh Angles and Racing and Breeding in China were discussed over the three days.

A cultural evening was held at the R.W.I.T.C. on Wednesday. The environs decked up with an exquisite carnival set, the cultural night was an amalgamation of numerous performances. The event was spiced up with an array of art and dance forms representing various Indian states. The evening also saw a rare sit down traditional Parsee dinner. 

While the delegates were busy going through a marathon of business sessions, their spouses and other accompanying persons were treated to sight-seeing trips of the city of Mumbai on all the three days of the conference.

There was a post-conference, Stud Farm Tour of the Poonawalla Stud Farms in Pune on Friday.

Korea was announced as the host for the 37^th Asian Racing Conference to be held in May 2018. The ARF host flag was handed over by India to Mr. Park Yang Tae, Executive Director of Racing, Korea Racing Authority at the closing ceremony.