The International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians (ICRAV) is a biennial conference for analysts, veterinarians and administrators associated with the racing industry by the Association of Official Racing Chemists (AORC) and the International Group of Specialist Racing Veterinarians (IGSRV) to have fostered scientific advances in doping control and supported continuous improvement in animal welfare. The 23rd International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians (ICRAV) took place from September 17th to 23rd, 2023, hosted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. In addition, many invited speakers who are experts in their fields attended the conference, and over 150 oral and poster presentations were given in more than 20 sessions.
Dr. Eylem Funda Göktaş, a chemist and one of our Institute's experts, participated in the conference by delivering an oral presentation titled "Determination of heroin, codeine, morphine, and their metabolites in horse urine using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry." This significant congress, organized jointly by the AORC and IGSRV, featured the presentation of pins to Erol Kabil and Dr. Eylem Funda Göktaş, both to professional members of the Association of Official Racing Chemists in our Institute.
Through this conference, participants presented their studies addressing analytical chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and veterinary medicine, as well as sharing industry knowledge to achieve the common goals of maintaining the integrity of racing and ensuring the welfare of animal athletes. Within the scope of the congress, the Hong Kong Jockey Club animal hospital and doping control laboratory were visited and a horse race organised on behalf of the congress at Happy Valley Racecourse was attended.
