Representatives of six of Europe's seven racetracks which stage official Thoroughbred racing on the beach gathered for the inaugural meeting of the European Beach Racing Association at Plestin-les-Greves, Brittany on Monday, July 31st. This loose association, under the auspices of the EMHF, has been formed to establish a communication network between those responsible for these meetings, to identify best practice in ensuring participant and spectator safety and to raise the profile of this most distinct and spectacular form of racing. The meeting, chaired by EMHF Secretary-General, Paull Khan, was also attended by the town's Mayor, Presidents of several racecourses, representatives from the Cantabrian Government (into which area two of the seven tracks fall) and of the Jockey Club Espanol, and the Director of tourism for the Lannion-Tregor Communauté, (into which Plestin-les-Greves falls), in whose offices the meeting was held.
The previous day, delegates had been treated to a memorable day's racing on Plestin-les-Greve's beach, courtesy of its President, Rene Eleouet. The meeting gave a mandate to Dr Khan and the EMHF's EU Consultant, Cathy McGlynn, to progress an approach for possible European 'LEADER' funding, within the EU's rural development policy, for a cooperative project to promote beach racing to the benefit of tourism in the local areas which the racetracks serve. It is also planned to organise a tour, for racing enthusiasts, taking in two or three of the beach racing tracks, to be held next summer.