Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chair of the IFHA, pays tribute to Jean Romanet, his predecessor in the role.
Here’s what Engelbrecht-Bresges had to say...
I knew Louis for over 40 years.
He and his father were, when I arrived on the international stage, one of my first contacts and mentors, and Louis became a very close friend.
He became a symbol for international racing and the integrity of the sport, and was one of the most respected and globally recognised figures in international racing for decades.
I think he always had the basics of international racing and the integrity of the sport in mind, be it prohibited substances or the integrity of the breed. He knew how racing organisations across the world work together to ensure the integrity of the sport.
That’s before we get to his work in promoting the sport globally, by creating global championships and ensuring quality control of racing across the world.
That’s where Louis has driven the development of international racing, leading to appreciation of the quality of races around the world and pushing the international grading and race planning, harmonising racing rules and helping introduce the Horse Welfare Committee.
Naturally, being at the helm of France Galop, he stepped into the family legacy and helped ensure the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe remains what I’d say is still the most respected race in the world… the one everybody wants to win.
He has lifted global racing via his international position and his position in France, with events such as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and was helpful in the establishment of other great racing events around the world.
When it comes to Longines as a global sponsor of racing, this is definitely due to the tremendous work he did, and it has created a completely different connectivity and even financial basis for the IFHA as an organisation.
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