About the ITBF

History of the International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation

During the 1950s and 60s, the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Associations of Britain and Ireland (who shared a Stud Book, the G S B) used to meet on a regular basis to discuss mutual issues. France joined them in 1968. This “Tripartite Group” met intermittently until 1973 with the venue alternating between the three countries. A representative from the USA joined shortly afterwards in 1974. The group was then re-named The International Breeders’ Meeting and met intermittently for the next three decades.

The whole purpose of these early meetings was to discuss problems common to all of those countries; to exchange information on equine diseases; to attempt to bring in uniform cataloguing standards, horse identification documents, etc. and generally to obtain a better understanding of the breeding industry in each country. At the 25^th anniversary meeting (in 2012, held in Newmarket, GB) the group had expanded to include member countries from six continents, and it was decided to formalise its structure and re-name it The International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation (ITBF). The ITBF Mission Statement was then also agreed.

ITBF Today

Our Mission

Our Members

Our Partners

Our Mission

Representation

Interacting with Racing Authorities and other International industry bodies, representing the worldwide Thoroughbred breeding industry, within and outside the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry.

Information

To harvest and circulate information pertinent to the worldwide Thoroughbred breeding industry.

Expertise

To represent and disseminate Industry Best Practice

Veterinary

Veterinary matters are of equal importance to all ITBF member countries and our objective is to encourage awareness of matters relating to veterinary research, application and education of breeders, worldwide.

Veterinary News and ICC reports

Promotion

To promote the worldwide Thoroughbred breeding industry

Worldwide Agreement

No artificial breeding methods (which currently include but are not limited to, artificial insemination, embryo transfer, cloning, sexing of sperm and any genetic engineering/ manipulation) are permitted, worldwide, in the breeding of the Thoroughbred horse. ITBF is committed to the continued upholding of this fundamental International studbooks’ rule.

International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA)

ARTICLE 12 of the IFHA International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering (IABRW):

12.1.1 The Thoroughbred must be the result of a Stallion’s mating with a Mare which is the physical mounting of a Mare by a Stallion with intromission of the penis and ejaculation of semen into the reproductive tract.

12.3.1. A natural gestation must take place in, and delivery must be from, the body of the same Mare in which the Foal was conceived. Any Foal resulting from or produced by the processes of Artificial Insemination, Embryo Transfer or Transplant, Cloning or any other form of genetic manipulation not herein specified, shall not be eligible for recording in a Thoroughbred Stud Book approved by the International Stud Book Committee.

12.B The heritable genome of a prospective or registered Thoroughbred must not be modified in any way at any time, including during its conception, gestation or at any stage thereafter in its existence.

ITBF Today

The achievements of the ITBF include the establishment of the International Collating Centre now known as EIDS (Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance); direct representation on the International Movement of Horses Committee; successful appeal to IATA to revise the conditions of air transport of pregnant mares, etc.

In 2020 ITBF played a significant role in the International Sport Horse Confederation (IHSC) Task Force, the result of a unique collaboration that has brought together the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the European Equestrian Federation (EEF), the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) as well as the International Thoroughbred Breeders Federation (ITBF), the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders Association (EFTBA).

The International Sport Horse Confederation (IHSC) Taskforce for Brexit and European Union (EU) Animal Health Law formulated a digital passport solution to ensure the efficient cross-border movement of sport, racing and breeding horses, now adopted by Ireland with other EU members following.

Current ITBF membership stands at 27 members (23 Full members and 4 Associate members) from Thoroughbred producing countries of the world, and the ITBF’s ambition is to have General Meetings every other year, if possible alternating between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. In interim periods, the ITBF is guided by its Chairman, Vice Chairman, CEO and Executive Committee, who frequently meet online and in-person.

In November 2023, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and the International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation (ITBF) announced a new collaboration with an eye toward improving the Thoroughbred industry.

Under a signed Memorandum of Agreement between the IFHA and the ITBF, the global leaders for Thoroughbred racing and breeding will work together on matters of mutual interest which impact the breeding industry.

Through a dedicated working party of senior officials that represents members’ interests from around the world, the two federations meet regularly to discuss ideas, share information, provide expert advice, and develop policy on breeding matters.

“This will prove to be a positive development for the future of Thoroughbred breeding and racing globally,” said IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. “Breeding and racing are intertwined in every aspect of the equine value chain, and with the importance of welfare at every stage of a Thoroughbred’s life, it is important that we work together in harmony. I look forward to everything that we can achieve together in the years ahead.”

ITBF Chair Kirsten Rausing said, “ITBF warmly welcomes this collaborative foundation stone between our two organisations, upon which we can build further. A fully functioning working relationship between our inextricably connected industries is the basis for ensuring a secure and successful future for the Thoroughbred breed and the sport of horse racing.”

ITBF are continually seeking to expand its membership to a greater number of countries and in doing so, strengthen an increasingly united International Thoroughbred Breeding Industry

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