What is the IFHA?
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities is racing's international coordinating body — not a governing federation in the Olympic sense, but the forum where national authorities harmonize rules, integrity and medication standards, and which publishes the sport's official international ratings.[1] [2]
What does it produce?
The World's Best Racehorse Rankings and World's Best Horse Race rankings; the international Group/Grade pattern that classifies races by quality across jurisdictions; the International Agreement on breeding, racing and wagering; and coordination on cross-border integrity.[2] [3]
Why does it matter?
Because a horse's Group 1 record and international rating are racing's transferable credentials — the closest thing the sport has to a universal ladder across national authorities.[2] [3]
References
- IFHA — about. Accessed August 2026.
- IFHA — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- IFHA — World's Best Racehorse Rankings. Accessed August 2026.