CHC SET TO UNVEIL STAR CHINESE MARE AT SANTA ANITA

Away from the fanfare of Royal Ascot a unique moment is set to unfold at Santa Anita tomorrow with what is believed to be the debut performer of a former mainland Chinese thoroughbred. The China Horse Club, best known for the racetrack deeds of last season’s multiple derby winner Australia and Australian stars Dissident and First Seal, successful exported three of its mainland Chinese based stars with Beat of the Drum the first of a trio to debut.

Beat of the Drum

The former Coolmore owned mare is progressing well under the tutelage of trainer Leonard Powell at Santa Anita as are fellow Chinese stars The Ferryman and Alcott.

“It is tremendously rewarding to have successfully exported stars of the Chinese thoroughbred racing industry and to provide them and their owners with the chance to measure up in the United States,” said Eden Harrington, General Manager for the China Horse Club.

“The exporting of these three horses is part of a much bigger program we have in place called the China Dream Project which in a sentence is promoting Chinese owners, talented young Chinese men and women and Chinese based racehorses overseas. The first stage was the successful hosting of the CECF Singapore in February this year which saw Chinese owners promoted on a world stage. The second step are these three Chinese owned stars. Beat of the Drum is the first to run and we are intentionally keeping a low profile with her. She is certainly talented and we hope that all three of our performers can measure up to expectations because this program is about the promotion of thoroughbred racing to the Chinese and in China and that is important for thoroughbred racing as a whole.”

Powell has taken over the training of Beat of the Drum, The Ferryman and Alcott in recent months and can see why all three have been dominant performers in major meetings in China over the last 18 months. And while their form is challenging to line up he remains upbeat of the chances of them making their mark in the United States.

“It is very exciting to try to prove to the world that good horses can come from anywhere,” Powell said.

“This is an extension off the internationalization of horse racing that has already seen the development of the Dubai Carnival, the successful raids of Australian horses at Royal Ascot, the quest of Japanese for the Arc de Triomphe or the well-established Breeders’ Cup. To be able to succeed with any member of the team that was sent from China on the highly competitive circuit that is California would help cement the recognition of racing in mainland China.

“At first people think that the horses come from Hong Kong, but when I mention that they come from mainland China, they are very surprised. Racing in China is not well known here. People have been very pleasantly surprised as the horses look like very competitive runners and fit on this highly competitive circuit. A lot of people look forward their debut here.”

If you would like to learn more about the China Horse Club exclusive membership offer, please contact Mr.  Eden Harrington or Ms. Fu Peipei. We look forward to hearing from you.

Mr. Eden HARRINGTON      eden@chinahorseclub.com    (Hp no : +65 93769968)

Ms. FU Peipei                     peipei@chinahorseclub.com  (Hp no : +86 18600929029)