The International Thoroughbred Breeders' Federation has expressed its delight at Keeneland becoming the latest sponsor of the federation. ITBF, which serves the members of Thoroughbred breeding associations in some 26 countries that produce approximately 80,000 foals annually, provides an essential role within the wider Thoroughbred industry.
Kentucky-based Keeneland needs little or no introduction as the world's largest Thoroughbred auction house, which hosts two major world-class race meetings annually in April and October.
Sarah Carmichael, CEO of ITBF, stated "We are enormously grateful to Keeneland for their support and welcome them as an ITBF sponsor. As a not-for-profit organization, ITBF has to look to the industry for ongoing financial assistance to facilitate the essential service that we provide to the international breeding industry. Our role is a continually expanding one, and without our sponsors we would not be able to deliver and further develop, as we do."
"Keeneland is pleased to become an ITBF sponsor in support of the federation's important work in the global Thoroughbred community," Keeneland president and CEO Shannon Arvin said. "Though an international industry, breeders worldwide are interconnected by similar needs and issues. ITBF plays a critical role in helping breeders achieve their goals."
ITBF is dedicated to providing a worldwide platform for the voice of breeders. Its role and remit is far-reaching, with all elements leading back to safeguarding the integrity of the Thoroughbred breed, and the global production of responsibly bred and reared, healthy, capable future athletes of the racetrack.
In a significant development in November 2023, ITBF and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities signed a collaborative agreement, ensuring all breeding-related matters and policy decisions are now worked on together from the outset, in a harmonization between breeding and racing. Crucially, the relationship extends further in the mutual undertaking of tackling together the extensive external challenges of social license, welfare, sustainability, and economics. The two organizations are uniformly committed to ensuring the future existence of this historic breed and the continuation of our noble sport, amidst these challenging times.
Keeneland joins existing ITBF partners which include fellow auction houses Tattersalls, Goffs, Hokkaido Sales, New Zealand Bloodstock, and Fasig-Tipton, as well as bloodstock insurance firm Gallagher.
