China’s burgeoning thoroughbred industry is the most notable beneficiary of the history making run that Australia is making through Europe’s classics in 2014.
With every win strengthening ties between two of his co-owners in Coolmore and China Horse Club, there is every reason for government officials and long standing industry participants to cheer on the chestnut colt to even greater heights.
Overnight Australia became just the 17th three-year-old to win the Epsom Derby – Irish Derby double in 148 years and the manner of his display has industry commentators already talking about some of the biggest races in Europe at the back end of the season.
Coolmore has been the world’s premier breeding operation for more than a quarter of a century. It owes its influence to the undoubted business acumen of its owner, John Magnier, its senior management and a stallion line up that is the envy of all others. The ruthlessness with which it culls stallions that do not meet the highest of expectations and its ability to regenerate with star young talent have ensured that Coolmore has stayed on top in an uninterrupted reign decade after decade.
During this time Coolmore has ceased upon opportunities and directed some of this stallion power to Australia, to New Zealand, to Argentina and to Brazil. All industries it has touched over an extended period of time have seen the quality of their bloodstock and the international commercial appeal of this bloodstock rise significantly.
The CHC has successfully built a deep routed relationship with Coolmore and this union has the potential to be the most meaningful building block to the growth of China’s next big industry. The two organizations race horses together in both hemispheres and breed horses together in both hemispheres. The two organizations have shared immediate success in both hemispheres. Both are primed to work together to play a driving role in an industry in China that could generate billions of dollars of benefits to the wider population and millions in taxes to the government. Officials in China have been invited to visit and understand the flow of these benefits that come from bringing a commercial industry to China and to better understanding the successful formula Coolmore can bring to a local breeding industry.
Australia’s next race will be determined in the coming weeks with trainer Aidan O’Brien evaluating a series of options that could lead the colt to the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, arguably the most coveted race on the international circuit.