SAHorseracing.COM was invited to the Asian Racing  Conference in Istanbul  recently by the host of the event, the Turkish  Jockey Club. The conference not only attracted racing administrators from  different regions  around the world but also technologies and ideas from  other sports. These  included presentations from the former head of the  International Cricket Council  and an NBA representative from the  United States. The highlight for us as a company was the presentation of the saddle cloth  of  Japanese Horse of the Year, Buena Vista, by the Japan Racing  Association (JRA)  to SAHorseracing.COM Managing Director, Ash Maharaj.

 SAHorseracing.COM is the most traveled media company in South African  history  having been traveling to international destinations and  accredited by numerous  racing organisations for the past 10 years.  'Having visited Japan on numerous  occasions including an Asian Racing  Conference in Tokyo in 2008, a Japan Cup and a  major yearling sale in Hokkaido,  we have made many friends in that country over  the years and there is a  close bond with our friends at the JRA,' said Ash  Maharaj. 'We have initiated so many different ideas for South Africa and  international  racing regions, it goes by unnoticed at the best of  times and we do not normally make these announcements public, however this one was special,' he continued.
 The JRA handed over the prized possession and Ash Maharaj had it signed by the  Asian Racing President, Dr Koji Sato,  whom he has a known for many years.  Dr Sato is also a former veterinary surgeon and the international leader for the JRA.

'We decided to hand it over to the TBA museum instead of keeping it  to  ourselves as it is rare to get such an item and signed by the  sitting president  of a body as important as the Asian Racing  Federation,' said Ash Maharaj. It was handed over to Tom Callaghan, the new head of the TBA and he has promised to find it a good home in the museum.