CHINA FORUM A POSITIVE STEP

Since gambling was banned by the Communist Party in 1949, horse racing has been off the scene, but the nation is moving closer to its resurrection and even held a race meeting at Wuhan last November – minus gambling – at the Orient Lucky City racecourse.

And another positive step was taken earlier this month when the first “Sports Lottery Cup” International Equestrian Forum was held in Chengdu, involving a number of Australians.

It was jointly organised by the Sichuan Equestrian Association, the Chengdu Equestrian Association, the Wenjiang district government, and was supported by Chengdu Sports Bureau.

This was the first high-level forum to be held in Western China, and signals the beginning of the horse industry in the region.

Equestrian Sports and other horse related industries – including racing and breeding – are part of the plan by the Chengdu municipal government and Wenjiang district government who are working together to establish “Chengdu Jinma International Sports City”.

The aim of the Sports City is to boost the Chengdu economy and accelerate the establishment of a national base for the horse industry.

The forum was opened by the head of the Chinese Equestrian Association who spoke of the horse industry’s potential in China and was followed by the head of the Wenjiang district government, who showed plans for the new racecourse project and the sporting precinct being developed.

Professor Shuai Pei Ye then presented much historical data and research on the involvement of the horse in Chinese culture.

The final speaker was Eliza Park’s Asian representative, Lyle Plumb, who spoke of the success of horse racing and breeding in Australia, as well as the benefits of introducing horse racing to a new population.

Plumb, a former international jockey, turned trainer, turned studmaster, has been heavily involved in the Asian region and is a driving force in the push for racing in China.

Working closely with both Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria and the Chengdu Sports Industries, Lyle has been appointed to the advisory role of “Technical Director of Racing” and will be introducing participants to the new project.

A nationwide horse and gambling industry could create millions of jobs for China and tens of billions in government revenue.