CHINESE JOCKEYS TO COMPETE IN BARBADOS UNDER AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN BARBADOS TURF CLUB AND CHINA HORSE CLUB

Exchange of document between Mr. Richard Seale of the Barbados Turf Club and Mr. Chiang See Poh,the advisor to the Chairman of the China Horse Club

Star Chinese jockeys will begin competing in Barbados during the upcoming racing season after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Barbados Turf Club and the China Horse Club late last month. The announcement is part of an innovation titled the ‘CHC China Dream Project’ which has, as one of its objectives, the goal of promoting talented young Chinese men and women internationally.

The Barbados Turf Club and China Horse Club jointly make the announcement which:

• Will see two Chinese jockeys apply to ride in Barbados in 2015-2016 season;
• Provides new international riding opportunities for jockeys from mainland China;
• Will encourage members of the China Horse Club to race thoroughbreds in Barbados;
• Brings Barbados to the attention of Chinese nationals who will follow the progress of the Chinese jockeys, in turn opening up opportunities both within its racing industry and wider business circles.

The Memorandum of Understanding was announced in China during the recently held China Equine Cultural Festival (CECF) Wuhan with an exchange of document between Mr. Richard Seale of the Barbados Turf Club and Mr. Chiang See Poh, the advisor to the Chairman of the China Horse Club.

The announcement was made in front of racing industry leaders and notable guests including the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities President Louis Romanet; Sheikh Fahad Al Thani of Qatar Racing; Deputy Wuhan Mayor Liu Yingzi; Director of Wuhan Sports Bureau Wang Shenshun; Chairman of Wuhan Equestrian Association and President of Wuhan Business University Li Zuoqing and Orient Lucky Club Group CEO Hu Yue Gao.

Mr Richard Seale(3rd from left), Mr Teo Ah Khing, Mr Chiang See Poh

“This is an exciting new development for Barbados as it will serve to link the Barbados Tourism Industry and off shore business with wealthy Chinese Horse Owners and Entrepreneurs” so said, Sir David Seale – President of the Barbados Turf Club.

Mr Teo Ah Khing, Chairman of the China Horse Club, sees the partnership as an exciting step forward for young Chinese people looking to work in the nation’s emerging racing industry.

“The success of Yao Ming in basketball and Li Na in tennis have inspired the Chinese people and it is important that opportunities are created for new Chinese heroes in international competition, and this should include jockeys,” he said.

“Our members want to enjoy the sport of horse racing but they also want to make a contribution to growing the sport and to creating opportunities for talented young Chinese.

“The Barbados Turf Club sees the importance of the CHC China Dream Project and also the opportunities this program can bring with it. The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding is an important step forward for both clubs and can hopefully help the sport of racing grow further.”

Chen Li(fr left), Mr Louis Romanet, Qin Yong

The first two jockeys singled out to compete at the Barbados Turf Club are Chen Li and Qin Yong. The duo have been the star jockeys for the China Horse Club’s China based racing operation winning notable events across mainland China. Chen Li, 26, was crowned champion rider at the season ending Chengdu CEA National Tour Final and was seen to great effect during last month’s CECF Wuhan when winning the RMB100,000 Goffs Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup (1200m). Qin Yong, 26, won two gold medals and lifted his province of Hubei to higher honours at the high profile 10^th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities in Erdos, Inner Mongolia earlier this year.

Both jockeys have previously worked overseas with their training including stints at the British Riding School in 2014. During this program Chen Li rode work with classic winning trainer Hugo Palmer while Qin Yong rode for Jeremy Noseda. Qin Yong hadpreviously spent time riding track work and barrier trials in Malaysia.

For more information please contact the China Horse Club at info@chinahorseclub.com