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Veterinary Conference & General Meeting Speakers
Veterinary Conference
Dr Des Leadon
MA, MVB, MSc, FRCVS, DipECEIM,
RCVS and European College registered Consultant in Equine Medicine.
Chair – ITBF Veterinary Advisory Committee
Dr Des Leadon is a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons with more than 40 years of clinical veterinary experience, and Diplomate of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine. He is a Registered Consultant in Equine Medicine from both the RCVS and the European College of Equine Internal Medicine. Des has been Head of Equine Clinical Pathology at the Irish Equine Centre for 30 years and his current positions there also include that of Clinical Consultant.
Des is a Past President of British Equine Veterinary Association, a former President of the World Equine Veterinary Association, a Founding Diplomate and former Vice-President of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine, he also served two terms as International Director of the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
He is a Member of the International Movement of Horses Committee of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities and in addition to his role as Deputy Chairman of the ITBF, he is Chairman of the ITBF Veterinary Advisory Committee and Chairman of the Veterinary Advisory Committee of EFTBA, the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders Associations.
Des has published text book chapters and been the author and co author of more than 80 publications in the scientific literature. His range of interests extend from equine neonatology, infectious diseases and sub-fertility, through to recovery from fast exercise and clinical laboratory diagnostics. His current interests include the impact of major infrastructure development on adjoining studfarms.
Des rode as an amateur jockey in both the UK and Ireland and he and his wife Dr Mariann Klay own and breed Thoroughbred racehorses on their stud farm “Swordlestown Little” near Naas in Co Kildare in Ireland. They have bred Black Type and other winners of important races in Ireland, England, France, Switzerland, the USA, Canada, Hong Kong and Australia.
Des was presented with the “Outstanding Contribution to the Thoroughbred industry” award by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association in 2011.
Jean-Marc BETSCH, DVM
National Veterinary School of Alfort 1986
Military National Service, Saumur ENE 1987
Thoroughbred Stud Farm Manager 1988
Internship at New Bolton Centre 1989
Partner at MB VET Equine Veterinary Hospital (32 vets) 1990–2026
Head of the Equine Reproduction Centre 1991
Iselp certified 2014
State Diploma in Equine Physiotherapy 2017
University Diploma in Equine Law 2023
Vice-President of the French Equine Veterinary Association (AVEF)
President of RESPE
Anne Couroucé
Professor of Equine Internal Medicine at Oniris (Nantes Vet School)
Anne Couroucé is a Professor of Equine Internal Medicine at Oniris (Nantes, France), where she has been a faculty member since 2001. She is a Diplomate of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine (ECEIM) and has played a key role in structuring equine clinical training from undergraduate to specialist level, developing an integrated curriculum combining academic teaching, clinical immersion, and mentorship.
Her clinical and research work focuses on the determinants of poor performance in the equine athlete, with particular emphasis on respiratory and cardio-respiratory disorders. Her research follows a translational “One Health” approach, using the horse as both a patient and a model to advance understanding of respiratory diseases.
Professor Couroucé has led and contributed to numerous national and international research projects and has authored many scientific publications and communications. She is actively involved in postgraduate training, supervising interns, residents, and doctoral students, and contributes extensively to continuing education for equine practitioners.
Internationally recognized, she has held major leadership roles, including President of the ECEIM and scientific leadership positions within professional organizations such as RESPE and the FEI. She has also played key roles in veterinary coordination for major international equestrian events, including the World Equestrian Games and the Olympic Games.
James Crowhurst
MA, Vet MB, MRCVS, Veterinary Advisor to the British TBA, EIDS Committee Member and Consultant at Newmarket Equine Hospital
James Crowhurst graduated from Cambridge University in 1978, having accompanied a boat load of 170 horses from England to New Zealand in his gap year, and went straight into general practice in Queensland, Australia, with Reg Pascoe. Next was a spell in Kentucky, USA, with Hagyards, returning to Scone, New South Wales for another Thoroughbred breeding season with Bill Howie and Partners.
Following this, he joined Twink Allen at the Animal Research Unit in Cambridge before joining Greenwood Ellis and Partners in Newmarket in 1981. He became Partner in 1984, doing both horses in training and stud medicine initially, gradually concentrating on the latter. He joined the board of BEVA (British Equine Veterinary Association) and was Chairman of the Newmarket Stud Farmers
Association. He also became a Trustee of the Animal Health Trust and a member of the British Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s Veterinary Committee. Currently he is a Chairman of the
latter, and a Trustee of the TBA, together with being elected to the Newmarket Charitable Trust. Other duties include membership of the International Code of Practice and EIDS (Equine Infectious
Disease Surveillance) Committees. He and his wife Tessa manage a small stud in Newmarket for 30 years and enjoy horse riding for pleasure.
Guillaume FORTIER
DVM, Msc., PhD, Dip. Inst.Pasteur, HDR Univ.Caen Normandy (Assoc.Prof.)
Veterinary Advisor for the French Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association
Dr Guillaume Fortier first worked as a veterinary surgeon for 6 years in mixed practice, before turning to biology and then research via a university thesis defended at the University of Liège in Belgium (2009).
Then he defended an Associate professor title in University of Caen Normandy (2011)
Today, he runs the LABÉO laboratories in Normandy, with a major equine biology and research activity in France and numerous partnerships in Europe and around the world.
LABÉO recently celebrated its official twinning with the Irish Equine Centre after more than 20 years of mutual collaboration, notably on infectious diseases.
A nascent collaboration with the JRA and Dr Hiroshi BANAI has also started in 2022 and now LABÉO is also twinned with the Equine Research Institute of the JRA regarding various aspects of equine infectious diseases.
Since 2012, Guillaume Fortier has been the veterinary consultant to the French Thoroughbred breeders Federation.
Among this annual mission for the FTBA, Guillaume is a member of the Equine Industry Committee and the international Codes of practice.
In France, he also works monthly with France Galop veterinarian to check the sanitary situation for thoroughbreds and any issues regarding breeding, races and sales on the infectious diseases point of view.
His role involves liaising with breeders on the Board of FTBA as well as the European authorities and federations, with whom he works as a member of the EFTBA Veterinary Committee.
Current challenges include a major 5-year genomics programme, as well as topical health issues such as viral arteritis, the threat of West Nile disease and vaccination programmes against influenza and rhinopneumonitis.
In his spare time, Guillaume enjoys sailing, gastronomy and Brittany, not forgetting rugby and his many exchanges with Dr Des Leadon on this subject!
Dr. Gaëlle Gonzalez
PhD, Dip University Claude Bernard Lyon 1,
HDR University Paris Est Créteil
Gaëlle Gonzalez is Deputy Director of the European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) for equine diseases, where she leads activities related to arthropod-borne equine encephalitis viruses. She also heads the French National Reference Laboratory for West Nile virus and currently leads the Zoonoses and Equine Neurovirology team within the Joint Research Unit in Virology, Animal Health laboratory of ANSES, located at the National Veterinary School of Maisons-Alfort.
She obtained her PhD in 2011, after which she undertook a postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Virus Research at the University of Glasgow, focusing on equine influenza and mechanisms of host species jump.
In 2016, she returned to France to join the Joint Research Unit in Virology, where she has since specialized in flaviviruses, with a particular focus on West Nile virus.
Stéphane Pronost
Ing. MSc, PhD, HDR (D.Sc/habil. Equiv.)
Researcher LABEO France & Principal Investigator BIOTARGEN, University of Caen France
IEIDC: International Committee Member ; WOAH french representative for Equine Influenza ; EFSA expert & Virology French Society Scientific Committee Member.
As a Principal Investigator, my main topic focused on equine viruses, mainly herpesviruses, EIV and hepaciviruses. My research work aims to diagnose and characterise at the epidemiological level these equine viruses and, more recently, to promote the control of these pathogens by identifying antiviral molecules and improving vaccine protocols. I supervise a screening platform (IMPEDANCELL) of antiviral molecules adapted to several animal species. I have also trained and mentored numerous undergraduate and post-graduate students, supervised 8 PhD students and teach at the university of Caen since 1992. I’m also an expert in molecular biology and virology in veterinary area for the COFRAC (French Accreditation Committee) since 2014.
General Meeting
Kirsten Rausing
ITBF Chairman and Owner Manager of Lanwades
Industrialist, Philanthropist and Thoroughbred Breeder
Kirsten Rausing has been an active TB breeder for well over 50 years in Scandinavia, Ireland, France, the USA, South Africa and the United Kingdom, where she is based in Newmarket. Owner of Lanwades and St Simon Studs in Newmarket (started 1980 and 1982) and Staffordstown Stud in Ireland.
Breeding Industry Appointments:
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Chairman, British Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, 2006 – 2012
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Chairman, European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders’ Associations (Paris), 2002 – 2005
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Chairman, International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation (ITBF) since 2017.
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Member, The Jockey Club 1992 – present
Other TB Industry Appointments:
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British Bloodstock Agency plc, Board Member 1990 – 2000
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The National Stud, Newmarket, Board Member 1998 – 2004
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Jockey Club Estates, Board Member 1994 – 2009
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Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Trustee 1995 – 2012
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Honorary Associate, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, 2013
Kirsten Rausing has as a breeder and consignor – of exclusively homebred breeding and racing stock- topped ALL of Tattersalls Sales (December, February, July, Highflyer/October) over the years; she has also sold the highest-priced yearling at Goffs Orby Sales in Ireland on four separate occasions.
In the period from 1984 – 14th April 2026, Kirsten Rausing has bred the winners of more than 2,400 races worldwide; this includes 17 individual Gr.1 winners of 35 Gr.1 races; including World Champions ALPINISTA and ALBORADA, Horse-of-the-Year ALBANOVA, Australian Champion ZAAKI and numerous Classic winners. (Statistics prior to 1984 are not included, as incomplete)
Awards & Recognition:
Amongst the numerous breeding and racing industry awards received, Kirsten Rausing was the recipient of the 2022 Cartier Award of Merit, in honour of her lifelong involvement in the racing industry.
Sarah Carmichael
Chief Executive Officer, ITBF
Sarah Carmichael joined ITBF in 2019 as Secretariat. Working alongside the Executive Committee, her focus has been in expanding the membership and highly developing ITBF’s role and remit within the wider Thoroughbred industry, to best serve international breeders.
The ITBF and IFHA, in 2023, formalised a collaborative agreement creating the foundation stone for breeding and racing to work together into the future. Sarah was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of ITBF in early 2024. She sits on the IFHA ITBF Working Group and the IFHA Horse Welfare Committee.
Sarah has a 30-year background in the Thoroughbred industry. She held the position of Marketing Manager at the National Stud in Newmarket, responsible for the promotion of the six-strong Group 1 stallion roster, boarding mares and foaling services, yearling preparation, quarantine services, the stud farming education courses, corporate hospitality and the Stud’s public tours. She was also involved in the organisation and running of an annual Thoroughbred breeding and racing trade fair.
Under her own company, she has provided design, marketing and stallion advertising services to stud farms and bloodstock agencies, producing printed and online annual stud brochures.
Sarah has held a lifelong passion for horses, and continues to be hands-on in looking after, training, and competing her own horses, including her homebreds.
Dr Des Leadon is a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons with more than 40 years of clinical veterinary experience, and Diplomate of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine. He is a Registered Consultant in Equine Medicine from both the RCVS and the European College of Equine Internal Medicine. Des has been Head of Equine Clinical Pathology at the Irish Equine Centre for 30 years and his current positions there also include that of Clinical Consultant.
Des is a Past President of British Equine Veterinary Association, a former President of the World Equine Veterinary Association, a Founding Diplomate and former Vice-President of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine, he also served two terms as International Director of the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
He is a Member of the International Movement of Horses Committee of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities and in addition to his role as Deputy Chairman of the ITBF, he is Chairman of the ITBF Veterinary Advisory Committee and Chairman of the Veterinary Advisory Committee of EFTBA, the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders Associations.
Des has published text book chapters and been the author and co author of more than 80 publications in the scientific literature. His range of interests extend from equine neonatology, infectious diseases and sub-fertility, through to recovery from fast exercise and clinical laboratory diagnostics. His current interests include the impact of major infrastructure development on adjoining studfarms.
Des rode as an amateur jockey in both the UK and Ireland and he and his wife Dr Mariann Klay own and breed Thoroughbred racehorses on their stud farm “Swordlestown Little” near Naas in Co Kildare in Ireland. They have bred Black Type and other winners of important races in Ireland, England, France, Switzerland, the USA, Canada, Hong Kong and Australia.
Des was presented with the “Outstanding Contribution to the Thoroughbred industry” award by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association in 2011.
Dr Des Leadon
MA, MVB, MSc, FRCVS, DipECEIM,
RCVS and European College registered Consultant in Equine Medicine.
Chair – ITBF Veterinary Advisory Committee
James Crowhurst
MA, Vet MB, MRCVS, Veterinary Advisor to the British TBA, EIDS Committee Member and Consultant at Newmarket Equine Hospital
James Crowhurst graduated from Cambridge University in 1978, having accompanied a boat load of 170 horses from England to New Zealand in his gap year, and went straight into general practice in Queensland, Australia, with Reg Pascoe. Next was a spell in Kentucky, USA, with Hagyards, returning to Scone, New South Wales for another Thoroughbred breeding season with Bill Howie and Partners.
Following this, he joined Twink Allen at the Animal Research Unit in Cambridge before joining Greenwood Ellis and Partners in Newmarket in 1981. He became Partner in 1984, doing both horses in training and stud medicine initially, gradually concentrating on the latter. He joined the board of BEVA (British Equine Veterinary Association) and was Chairman of the Newmarket Stud Farmers
Association. He also became a Trustee of the Animal Health Trust and a member of the British Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s Veterinary Committee. Currently he is a Chairman of the
latter, and a Trustee of the TBA, together with being elected to the Newmarket Charitable Trust. Other duties include membership of the International Code of Practice and EIDS (Equine Infectious
Disease Surveillance) Committees. He and his wife Tessa manage a small stud in Newmarket for 30 years and enjoy horse riding for pleasure.
Philip Newton
Chair, Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA)
Philip Newton has been an owner-breeder in Great Britain for more than 40 years, breeding and racing Group winners in GB as well as having runners in both the Breeders’ Cup and Melbourne Cup.
His commercial career was spent in the British PLC sector, where he served as Chief Executive of an international retail chain playing a leading role in the company’s growth and development. In addition to his business career, Philip has worked in the charity sector and has held a number of non-executive director roles.
Philip has been a Trustee of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association for over 12 years. During this time, he has been closely involved in developing several major industry initiatives, including initiating and overseeing the TBA’s four-year cycle of an Economic Impact Study for the sector, along with the development of the Great British Bonus
Naomi Mellor
Chief Executive Officer of the British Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association
Naomi Mellor is the Chief Executive of the British Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, as well as a qualified veterinary surgeon with over 18 years of equine veterinary experience across the UK, Australia, and the South Pacific.
As well as working in racing, stud and general practice as a vet, she previously served as a Veterinary Officer at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), where she played a role in regulatory compliance and animal welfare at major racing events, including Royal Ascot and the Cheltenham Festival.
In addition to her veterinary expertise, Naomi also founded an audio production company, Everybody Media, and the International Women’s Podcast Awards, where she demonstrated proven commercial acumen, event leadership, and brand-building skills, growing a global platform from inception to worldwide recognition. This broad international experience in the equine world and beyond gives her a unique perspective on global standards, challenges, and opportunities for the Thoroughbred industry.
Simon has worked in the UK, Hong Kong and New Zealand, predominantly within horseracing-related businesses. He has worked for Weatherbys since 2016 in the role of Director, The General Stud Book and Company Secretary. His international roles have included Vice-Chairman, International Stud Book Committee (ISBC); Co-chairman, European and African Stud Book Committee; and Member of Executive Council, International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. He currently sits on the ISBC Inbreeding Working Group.
Before joining Weatherbys Simon worked for New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Inc. (2004 to 2016) in the role of Company Secretary and Member of the Senior Management Team. Other roles in New Zealand included Board member of the NZ Equine Health Association & Board member of the NZ Equine Research Foundation. Prior to New Zealand, he worked for Attheraces PLC in London (2001-2004) as it’s Communications Director; and before that as Corporate Affairs Secretary and Head of the International Department & Secretary-General, Asian Racing Federation, at the Hong Kong Jockey Club (1994-2001).
Simon is a Fellow of the Corporate Governance Institute & has a Diploma in Business Administration from Henley Business School.
Simon Cooper
Director, Weatherbys General Stud Book and Company Secretary Weatherbys Ltd
Cathy Grassick
Director and principal agent of Brian Grassick Bloodstock
Cathy Grassick is a director and principal agent of Brian Grassick Bloodstock. Having previously worked as assistant to her father Brian, as well as for Lycetts Bloodstock Insurance and Magic Millions Bloodstock Sales, Cathy also has a degree in Business and Law from UCD and a postgraduate in Marketing.
In recent years she has been responsible for purchasing such horses as Klassique, Grandeur, Majestic Queen and Appealing as well as the dams of Phoenix of Spain, Stylistique, Flotus as well a many others under the Brian Grassick Bloodstock banner.
She is now a director of the family farm Newtown Stud alongside her mother Sheila and her husband Jamie Lowry. Newtown Stud has been responsible for producing or consigning many top-class horses such as Phoenix of Spain, Flotus, Approve, Rockaway Valley, Three Sea Captains and Dress Rehearsal to name but a few.
Cathy was Chairman of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association from 2022 until 2025 and remains a board member of the association. She currently represents Ireland on the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders.
Leigh Wills
Founder and Director Foal NZ and Winning FORM
Based in New Zealand, is an Equine Specialist and founder of Foal NZ and Winning FORM, advancing Thoroughbred foal education and racehorse welfare, through science-based practice, encompassing the 10 ISES Principles and the Five Domains.
Equine behavioural specialist Leigh began Foal NZ (formerly Equus Education) in 2003 to champion the process of champion behaviour beginning in a horse’s very early life. She has since become a leader in her field, having created the Foal NZ foal education programmes and presented her research worldwide.
Leigh was the first student to become a Monty Roberts Instructor worldwide (receiving her certification at Windsor Castle from Terry Pendry) and the first to measure mental states of mares and foals. She has successfully introduced an elephant to a horse at Auckland Zoo, working from equine behavioural theory.
As a two-time national eventing title holder, Leigh has always loved, appreciated and championed horses. Alongside Foal NZ, Leigh continues to provide teachings for both people and horses.
Professor Natalie (Nat) Waran OBE, BSc (Hons), PhD (Cantab)
International Animal Welfare Consultant (NavigateWelfare)
Nat is an international animal behaviour and welfare scientist and educator with specific expertise in equine welfare.
Professor of Animal Welfare, the Jeanne Marchig Animal Welfare Education Centre Director and International Dean at Edinburgh University’s Veterinary School, before she moved back to NZ in 2016 to take up the role of Professor of One Welfare and Executive Dean at EIT where she was based for 7 years. She was until recently Director of a new ‘A Good Life for Animals Centre’ – a Research and Human Behaviour Change initiative in New Zealand.
She is now Director of NavigateWelfare, an international animal welfare consultancy working with various organisations to develop and evaluate strategies and approaches to advance equine welfare, whilst also maintaining her academic work as a Hon Professor at Edinburgh, Hartpury, and Charles Sturt Universities.
Over the past 30+ years, she has researched and published across a range of species, but her special interest in equine welfare has led to her working on a variety of topics including; horse transport, indicators of equine stress and pain, equine problem behavior, equine quality of life and welfare assessment as well as editing a book ‘The Welfare of Horses’ published by Springer.
Her most recent research collaborations involve colleagues in Australia, UK, Brazil, UK, Sweden and Denmark, all with the central objective of developing methods and understanding about positive horse welfare. She has been a trustee for a number of international equine charities including; The Brooke (working equids) and International Fund for Animal Welfare and works closely with others such as World Horse Welfare. A co-founder of the International Society for Equitation Science (ISES), she is a Honorary Fellow and former Trustee for the organisation. As the invited chairperson of the FEI Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission, she led the development of an ambitious report proposing a new ‘Good Life’ Vision, Charter and 30 Recommendations to address critical issues related to the involvement of horses in sport, and in 2024, she co-authored a white paper (Good Equine Welfare) for Eurogroup for Animal Welfare. In 2025 she was awarded an OBE for her services to equine welfare, research and education.
When at home in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, Nat enjoys training and riding her own horses, coaching and trying to teach her naughty donkeys and Pickles the (very) feral goat, new tricks.
Andrew Hore-Lacy
Chief Executive Officer of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse
Andrew Hore-Lacy is the Chief Executive Officer of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse, leading the national peak bodies representing Australia’s thoroughbred breeding industry and its international promotion.
He brings deep industry knowledge, strong stakeholder relationships and a proven background in communications, leadership and managing high-performing teams. Prior to joining TBA and Aushorse, Andrew spent 15 years with the Seven Network, most recently as Head of Horse Racing, leading a national team responsible for the creation, development and production of all racing content and programming. Earlier in his career, he worked as a senior producer across international sporting events including the Melbourne Cup Carnival, Australian Open and the Olympic Games.
Andrew has a lifelong connection to thoroughbred breeding and racing, shaped through his family’s participation in the sport. This background underpins his understanding of the professionalism, investment and long-term commitment required to operate in this industry.
As CEO, Andrew is focused on strengthening the sustainability, reputation and global standing of the Australian breeding industry. His priorities include improving governance and integrity frameworks, advocating for internationally aligned standards, supporting workforce development, and promoting positive equine welfare practices to maintain public trust.
International engagement remains central to his agenda, with a focus on attracting investment, strengthening trade and showcasing Australian bloodstock and expertise through coordinated global promotion and partnerships. Andrew is committed to delivering practical outcomes for breeders and strengthening collaboration across the racing and breeding sectors to position the industry for sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving environment.
Guillaume Herrnberger
Deputy CEO of France Galop and President, AFASEC.
Guillaume Herrnberger, 40, graduated from EM Lyon in 2009. That same year, he joined the global management consulting firm Kearney as a Senior Strategy Consultant.
Guillaume remained in that role until 2011, he then joined Adecco Group France as Vice President of Strategy and Transformation, before moving to the global headquarters of The Adecco Group to lead Digital Strategy.
In 2017, he founded his own digital freelancing platform, YOSS, a start-up serving freelancers and large corporations, which he later sold to Adecco and Microsoft.
Guillaume Hernnberger has been the Managing Director of the AFASEC since 2021.
Matt Orr
Executive Manager – International, Racing Policy and Regulation at The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Matt is currently the Executive Manager – International, Racing Policy and Regulation at The Hong Kong Jockey Club. He is also the Executive Manager at the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and a Director at the Asian Racing Federation (ARF). In these roles, he is responsible for developing and implementing regulatory policy at the domestic, regional and international level to enhance the integrity, welfare and sustainability of thoroughbred racing.
Prior to this, Matt was the General Counsel and Company Secretary at Racing Australia and previously Legal Counsel at Racing NSW.
He holds degrees in law, economics and business (sport management).
Juan de la Cruz Ramallo
Executive Committee of the International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation (ITBF) and
Prominent figure in the Argentine Thoroughbred industry
A prominent figure in the Argentine Thoroughbred industry, combining deep-rooted passion with over two decades of institutional leadership. A business administrator by profession, Juan currently serves as the Commercial Manager for Company well known in Argentina, where he oversees regional operations and licensing negotiations for international brands.
Breeding & Pedigree Expertise
Inheriting a legacy from his grandfather—a distinguished businessman and breeder—Juan has dedicated his life to the study of pedigrees and equine genetics.
Institutional Leadership & Global Representation
Juan’s commitment to the sport is reflected in his extensive ad honorem service across the most prestigious institutions in South American racing:
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Jockey Club (Argentina): Board Member (Vocal) from 2017 to 2025.
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San Isidro Racecourse: President of the Racing Committee (2021–2024).
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Argentine Thoroughbred Breeders Association: Board Member from 2004 to the present.
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Palermo Racecourse: Member of the Racing Committee (2005–2008).
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Equine Foundation: Board Director (2006–2018).
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On the international stage, Juan plays a pivotal role in global racing governance. He represents South America on the Executive Committee of the International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation (ITBF) and has contributed his technical expertise to the International Relations and Past Performances Advisory Committee (IRPAC), focusing on regional collaboration and international standards.
Bradley Ralph
Chairman, Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of South Africa
Bradley has worked in the financial services sector for the past 28 years. He started his “career” in horse racing as an avid racing fan and became an owner in his early twenties. Ownership progressed over time to buying fillies for stud and soon become a breeder in partnership with Ndoro Stud in South Africa.
He joined the South African Thoroughbred Breeders Association Council in 2020 and was appointed Chairman in 2024. Bradley has also been involved in the administration of horse racing in South Africa as the previous Chairman of Kenilworth Racing (now Race Coast), Chairman of the Thoroughbred Horse Racing Trust and is currently a director on the board of local racing operator 4Racing.