There was a sense of pride and anticipation across Asian racing circles on Monday as the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA) unveiled a unique initiative aimed at shaping the next generation of industry leaders. Employees from Asian Racing Federation (ARF) member organisations are being given the rare chance to attend the 41st Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Riyadh next February — a fully funded opportunity that could mark a turning point in many young careers.
The programme, announced on September 29, 2025, will see successful applicants flown to Riyadh with accommodation provided to join the conference, which runs from February 9–14, 2026. Not only will they participate in all open business sessions, but they will also experience the world-class Saudi Cup race day on February 14, an occasion widely recognised as one of global racing’s premier events.
A Gateway for Emerging Talent
Each ARF member jurisdiction is invited to nominate one representative to apply, with candidates reviewed by the JCSA and the ARF Secretariat. The opportunity is aimed squarely at rising professionals: applicants must be 35 or under, employed full-time within an ARF member organisation, and have at least three years of experience in racing.
Those chosen will become ARC scholars, gaining direct access to international leaders and industry thinkers, as well as invitations to the conference’s social programme — a setting where many of racing’s most influential partnerships are forged.
Building Racing’s Future Leaders
The JCSA stressed the importance of the initiative in a statement:
“As host of the 41st Asian Racing Conference, the JCSA has been given a unique opportunity to invest in the future of racing, not just in Saudi Arabia, but on an international scale. We are looking forward to working with our fellow ARF member jurisdictions to create an opportunity for racing’s future leaders who may otherwise not have the chance to attend the Asian Racing Conference.”
Applications require a completed form, résumé, and a nomination letter from an ARF member organisation, with the deadline set for October 1, 2025.
Read more about global racing opportunities at RaceBuzz.
