Dear AORC and IGSRV Members,

The Organising Committee is pleased to invite you again to attend the 23^rd International Conference of Racing Analysts & Veterinarians (ICRAV); to be held from 17 to 23 September 2023 in Hong Kong.

The conference is now eight months away and this is a Second Call for Abstracts. Instructions for abstract submission are now available on the ICRAV website https://www.icrav2023.com/, and the deadline for abstract submission is 31 March 2023.

On-line registration and accommodation booking is now available on our website where you will find the information on the registration, accommodation, young scientist awards, travel grants, sponsors and travellers information.

An Early-bird Registration Discount is available until 30 June 2023.

Accommodation: Important Information

The conference hotel is at the Kerry Hotel which is also the official accommodation venue, overlooking the bustling Victoria Harbour and scenic Hong Kong Island. We negotiated with the Kerry Hotel and have obtained special room rates (further discounted as compared with the room rates in Oct 2020) combined with the use of the hotel’s conference facilities. Therefore, we would strongly recommend delegates to stay at our conference hotel. There is a discount of US$500 on the conference registration fee for delegates who stay in the conference hotel for at least 5 nights.

Pre-ICRAV Analytical and Veterinary Workshops

The two-day pre-ICRAV Analytical and Veterinary Workshops on 15 & 16 September 2023 will be conducted by renowned experts. The analyst workshops will cover OMICS Data Mining and Method Validation; and the first ever veterinarian workshop will cover Lameness Measurement and Pre-Race Veterinary Inspections. The workshops will include both theory and hands-on/field exercises. Details of the workshops and registration procedures will be provided soon in a separate announcement.

Young Scientist Awards and Travel Grants

Due to postponement of the 23^rd ICRAV, many high quality research projects might have been completed and published since 2018. The Organising Committee has therefore decided to offer six Young Scientist Awards (YSAs) of US$2,000 each as well as, for the first time in ICRAV, six Travel Grants (TGs) of US$2,000 each to support the attendance of young members of AORC or IGSRV. YSA and/or TG applicants should submit their abstract(s) to Chantal Gordon Gentil at chantalgg@intnet.mu no later than 31 March 2023. Please visit our website for details of the Awards and Grants, application procedures, and criteria for applicants.

Approaching the Conference

The Hong Kong Government has recently lifted the post-arrival COVID-19 nucleic acid testing requirements for all inbound travellers. For the latest pre-departure requirement, please visit the page “Visa to Hong Kong” under “Travellers’ information”.

Your participation is vital to the success of this ICRAV. The Organising Committee looks forward to receiving your registrations, abstract submissions, and YSA and/or TG applications if applicable. We would like to extend our warm welcome to you, your family and friends to come to the 23^rd ICRAV in Hong Kong.

Kind regards,

Emmie Ho

Chair of the 23^rd ICRAV Organising Committee