Conferment of Decoration (The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon) Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (Chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities)

 
　On 29^th April 2024, the Government of Japan announced the foreign recipients of the Reiwa 6 Spring Conferment of Decorations. The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, has been conferred on Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, in recognition of his achievements that have contributed to the development of bilateral relations through exchanges and development of the horse racing industries in both Japan and Hong Kong.
 
Conferment: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon
 
Major accomplishment: Contributing to the international development of Japanese horse racing and the promotion of livestock farming in Japan through the breeding of light horses.
 
Recipient’s Name: Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges
 
Main career: Chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities
Chair of the Asian Racing Federation
CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
 
Place of residence (Nationality): Hong Kong (German)
 
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　From the beginning of his tenure as an officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges has been deeply involved in strengthening the relationship between Japan and Hong Kong in horse racing and has contributed to the promotion of horse racing in Japan.
 
　At the same time, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges has developed the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s international races into world-class events and has invited many horses from Japan to compete. Horses from Japan that have participated in these top-class races have increased their international value, not only as racehorses, but also as breeding horses, contributing to the promotion of livestock breeding through the breeding of light horses in Japan.
 
　In addition, as the Chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities and the Asian Racing Federation, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges is committed to improving Japan’s international presence and promoting and developing the Japanese horse racing industry as a whole, together with Japan, the Vice-Chair country.