From right to left: Louis Romanet, first President of the International Horse Sport Confederation, who has passed away aged 78; FEI Honorary President HRH Princess Haya; and FEI President Ingmar De Vos at the Longines Ladies Awards Ceremony, Hampton Court Palace, London (GBR), 15 June 2015.© Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for Longines

Louis Romanet, the first President of the International Horse Sport Confederation (IHSC), Chairman Emeritus of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), and one of the most influential figures in international horse racing, has passed away at the age of 78.

Throughout his life, Romanet devoted his career to advancing horse racing in France and worldwide. He held numerous leadership roles and played a key part in shaping the modern global racing landscape.

When the IFHA was created in 1994, Romanet became its first Chairman, serving for more than 25 years. Under his leadership, the IFHA grew into the leading forum for cooperation among racing authorities. International racing expanded significantly during this period, with greater trade in bloodstock, growth in simulcasting and betting markets, and increased harmonisation of racing rules.

Romanet helped build the structure that underpins international cooperation in racing today. He brought together global experts and oversaw the creation or development of several key IFHA committees, including those focused on the international movement of horses, race planning and grading, technical standards, horse welfare, and the harmonisation of raceday rules. He also supported the work of established bodies such as the Advisory Council on Equine Prohibited Substances and Practices and the International Stud Book Committee.

A strong advocate for integrity and welfare, Romanet championed doping control and the health and safety of both horses and riders. He was a leading supporter of strict, harmonised anti-doping standards and played an important role in advancing the IFHA Reference Laboratories programme, ensuring major races are supported by laboratories meeting recognised scientific standards.

Romanet also strengthened racing’s global partnerships. He was instrumental in securing the IFHA’s landmark sponsorship with Longines, which helped promote international racing and led to the creation of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse, Longines World’s Best Horse Race, and Longines World’s Best Jockey awards.

Beyond racing, he helped secure IFHA affiliation with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and supported cooperation with the FEI through the creation of the International Horse Sports Confederation.

Romanet also led the review that established the IFHA’s current governance structure, strengthening regional representation and global cooperation among racing authorities. Following his retirement as Chairman in 2021, he was named Chairman Emeritus in recognition of his exceptional service to the sport.

“Together with FEI Honorary President HRH Princess Haya, Louis Romanet was a visionary in creating the International Horse Sport Confederation, a cooperation between the FEI and the IFHA aimed at improving the international movement of competition horses in partnership with the World Organisation for Animal Health,” FEI President and current IHSC President Ingmar De Vos said.

“Louis was the first President of the IHSC, and during his tenure many important objectives were achieved, including the recognition by the WOAH of competition horses as athletes with a special High Health, High Performance status, as well as the development of the biosecurity handbook, to name just a few.

“Louis was a great leader and a dear friend. A true gentleman, he possessed extraordinary knowledge and love of horses. I will always remember his warmth, his passion for racing, and his unwavering commitment to the sport. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.”

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chair of the IFHA, said: "Louis Romanet devoted his life to the advancement of horse racing and to bringing the international racing community closer together. Through his vision, leadership, and unwavering dedication, he helped guide our sport into a new era of global cooperation and development.

"Louis was a friend and mentor to me for more than 40 years and he was the most respected and globally recognised figure in international racing for decades. He was a friend to all, a passionate and caring leader, and a mentor to many across our industry. He will be missed dearly, and his legacy will endure throughout the worldwide racing community he worked so tirelessly to unite.”

Romanet’s contributions to the racing industry have been widely recognised around the world. In 2009, he was appointed an Officer of the Legion of Honour in France.

His other honours include the Derby Award from the British Horseracing Writers' Association (formerly the British Association of the Racing Press), the Gold Medal of The Jockey Club in the United States, a Special Sovereign Award from The Jockey Club of Canada, the Gold Medal of the Direktorium für Vollblutzucht und Rennen in Germany, and Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.