The Asian Racing Conference in Sapporo kicked off on the 27th. This international conference, established in 1960 at Japan's initiative, aims to promote goodwill among Asian countries and foster the exchange of ideas and horse racing expertise between member nations. Japan is hosting the event for the first time in 16 years, with the last being in 2008. The 'Business Program' running until the 30th will feature lectures and discussions from notable figures such as Yutaka Take, Christophe Lemaire, and trainer Yoshito Yahagi. The event has drawn participation from 40 countries, with approximately 800 attendees.

On the opening day, the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) held a field session at the Sapporo Racecourse Riding Center, where representatives from various countries discussed the second careers of retired racehorses. Japan's efforts in this area were showcased, with speeches from Christophe Lemaire and Hiroshi Kitamura. Lemaire remarked, "In Japan, even top-level racehorses have opportunities for second careers. It's rewarding to see horses I've been involved with succeed in new roles."