NZ thoroughbreds sent to China
A landmark shipment of horses travelled to China last week, marking the first significant investment in the New Zealand thoroughbred industry from the world’s fastest-growing economy in many years.
With the help of New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing and Jonathan Hope from Cambridge Equine Hospital, 64 horses were bought by the Inner- Mongolia Rider Horse Industry Co. The horses spent the past month in quarantine before being flown to Shanghai last Tuesday with New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight.
‘‘We view this as a mutually beneficial partnership,’’ said Cathy Yang who assisted the Inner- Mongolia Rider Horse Industry Co with their purchasing.
‘‘There is an increasing demand for horses in China, while foreign investment remains crucial for the New Zealand industry.’’
The shipment principally consisted of thoroughbreds, with a handful of standardbreds also travelling to the northern part of China, where they will be based in the rural area of Horqin.
‘‘It was very positive to see representatives from China here buy- ing thoroughbreds,’’ Matamata’s Rich Hill Stud’s John Thompson said.
‘‘ Their investment will help push up the bottom-line return for breeders which ultimately helps the local economy as all breeders tend to put their financial returns back into the industry.’’
New Zealand’s free trade agreement with China played an important role in securing this investment for the industry and has created a platform for further trade in the future.
‘‘We were delighted to have the opportunity of selling a couple of nicely-bred 2-year-olds,’’ Brighthill Farm’s Nick King said.
‘‘We feel that this is an exciting and emerging market and I look forward to following the horses we’ve sold with great interest. We think the strong and sound New Zealand- bred horse will suit China as its racing and breeding industry grows and develops.’’
Backed by SMC Capital China, one of the longest running and most prominent private equity and alternative asset investment firms in Asia, the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry Co is involved in all aspects of the equine industry, including overseeing the Tushenyetu racetrack, the largest facility of its kind in the northern region of China – Inner Mongolia.
‘‘It’s a multi-faceted company,’’ said chief executive Lang Lin.
‘‘We breed and raise young thoroughbreds, in addition to producing our own feed, trading horses, monitor the training of horses and administer racing in the region as well as other equestrian activities.’’
He said the company has significant investment in purposebuilt equine facilities.
‘‘We have been most impressed with the bloodstock on offer in New Zealand and the scale of the industry and we look forward to developing the relationship further.’’