Has the golden gate opened for racing in China? CLICK ON IMAGE TO READ ARTICLE(European Trainer - issue 39 - Autumn 2012) RACINGWebmaster31 August 2012China, Chinese Horse racing, Sha Tin, EUT39 Facebook0 Twitter LinkedIn0 0 Likes
![CHINA’S communist government officially banned horseracing in 1949, but the rapid development of new racetracks since the 1990s has slowly but surely brought about a change of mind from government officials. Now, racing is now one of the largest growing industries in the country. Racehorse ownership is viewed as a status symbol; the number of racehorses wealthy people in China own is more important to them than the money they could earn if gambling were legal. Their two “must-haves” are a luxury car...and a racehorse. With Shanghai and Beijing being among the world’s richest cities, there is a lot of money available to spend on this growing sport. Although China is vast in size, all the major racetracks are situated within the east of the country. Wuhan, otherwise known as Orient Lucky City, is the largest of them. Established in 2003, Wuhan has the capacity to stable 500 horses for training and racing, and can accommodate a crowd of 34,500 people. With an initial investment of roughly £130 million (€160 million), its training acilities could see it become a world leader. The most recent development, well documented in the media, is Tianjin. Beijing is the nearest city to this new HK$26 billion (£2.1 billion, or €2.7 billion) development. With plans for a racetrack, a training centre with the ability to house 4,000 horses, a breeding centre, and quarantine and veterinary facilities, it will be on a par with Meydan. It has already attracted support from world leaders in their specialist fields such as Coolmore Stud in Ireland and the Royal Agricultural College in the United Kingdom. Although it seems to be behind schedule at present, there is no doubt that the Chinese want this to be their showpiece, and it proves their commitment to horseracing and thoroughbred breeding. China’s stringent quarantine laws have been a major problem for the importation of horses. This autumn, the first Global Champions Tour – a worldwide show jumping competition series – was due to take place for the first time in Shanghai but was put off until 2013. That they hadn’t yet eased their quarantine laws was a blow to many but they’re aware that its commitment to change for next year could open up a huge market to them. With an ease in quarantine regulations, it’s hoped that it will be as easy to import horses to China as the many thousands of horses that have already been imported to Hong Kong. There are nine major racetracks in the eastern region of China, and with billions of pounds being invested by the government the window of opportunity for all equine-related businesses is enormous. The key players in the Chinese bloodstock industry will become familiar faces at venues such as Keeneland and Ocala; they want the best and are prepared to pay for them. This autumn two international horse fairs will be held: the smaller trade fair in Beijing; and the China International Horse Fair in Shanghai, which last year attracted nearly 5,000 visitors. The Chinese need horses, knowledgeable professionals, and top class products and nutrition advice, and HORFA Shanghai has extended an invitation to the rest of the world to exhibit their goods with the hope of building business partnerships and gaining access to the best products on offer. Everything the Chinese are doing only goes to prove that they want to be taken seriously and gain the world’s respect, and not simply be the poor relation. Coolmore have commited to helping the Chinese import over 100 Irish-bred thoroughbred mares over the next three years and Darley already have stallions on the ground. “We stood two stallions in China for the first time this season,” says Darley Flying Start director Joe Osborne, also managing director of Darley’s Kildangan Stud. “Both have been very well accepted by Chinese breeders. Jalil, who won the Group 2 Maktoum Challenge or Godolphin in Dubai and is by the influential Storm Cat, stands at Lisui Farm in Beijing, while Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes winner Sousa stands at Ordos Farm in Inner Mongolia. Both stallions have covered about 60 mares each which we are very pleased about. “Standing stallions is one way we can help China develop its thoroughbred breeding industry,” he continues. “Education is another. In addition to having three Chinese graduates of, and one trainee currently on, our Darley Flying Start programme, we recently launched an initiative called Dubai International Thoroughbred Internships. These internships will see an annual intake of Chinese university graduates spend nearly a year at a Darley facility in either Australia, America, England, Ireland, or Japan to learn the fundamentals of thoroughbred breeding and racing. The interns will also visit Dubai to experience Dubai’s local horse racing industry and learn how Sheikh Mohammed has been instrumental in the development of the Emirate over the past 40-plus years. Our long term plan is to have a Darley breeding and education base in the Beijing area.” A host of high-profile investors is hoping that with 2014 being the “Year of the Horse” a bright and prosperous new era of racing in China will have been born. But for their substantial outlays to pay dividends, breeding giants and other big money financiers are gambling on the government lifting a ban on betting. There is no indication betting on horseracing will be allowed any time soon, but it hasn't stopped hopeful overseas entrepreneurs from making ambitious plans, or just trying to gain a foothold – so that if gambling does get the green light, they're ready to go. Until the revenue from pari-mutuel wagering becomes a reality, racing will remain an unprofitable pastime for China's nouveau riche and a potential financial black hole for backers, with many already lured by the tantalising, untapped market. Racing exists in many parts of China – ranging from traditional, non-thoroughbred events, to more orthodox racing – but the ban on betting renders them all hobby-level pursuits for participants. It was less than seven years ago when Beijin Race Club seemed headed in the right direction with its world-class facilities and pari-mutuel wagering. But when the government clamped down on gambling at the venue, investors fled and more then 600 horses were destroyed in the immediate aftermath, with reports of animal neglect since then. While the racing world edges tentatively into the volatile market, Chinese owners are breaking out and making their presence felt abroad. At the Hong Kong International Sale in March, a mystery Chinese businessman – a first-time buyer no less – splurged a massive HK$9 million (£750,000, or €950,000) on a two-year-old by Fastnet Rock, caring little for the gelding's lack of residual stud value. The Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong remains the only part of China to get racing right, at least since the halcyon days of the Shanghai Race Club in the early part of the 20th century. Perhaps the Hong Kong Jockey Club [HKJC] have the right idea with its long- term strategy in establishing a presence in its neighbouring country. The HKJC is building a training centre for 400 horses at Conghua, 25 miles north east of Guangzhou and a 31⁄2-hour drive from the Jockey Club's existing facilities at Sha Tin. The site was originally developed to host the equine events at the 2010 Asian Games, but by 2014 the club plans to make it an alternate training base. The beauty of Conghua is that it could be converted into an operational racecourse in a matter of months. Of course, despite the HKJC being a global betting giant, boasting turnover figures the envy of any racing jurisdiction, even it has to wait for the all- important decree on gambling by the Chinese government.](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/517636f8e4b0cb4f8c8697ba/t/5783afc903596e5098f3a4c0/1468248052452/chinese-racing.jpg)
