The first steps towards the creation of a commercial horse industry in Ordos, China were taken today with the signing of two key agreements and the arrival of the first ever shipment of overseas horses into Ordos International Airport.
The shipment of 81 horses was made by Inner Mongolia Yitai Desert Star Horse Industries Company Limited (Yitai Desert Star Horse Industries) in consultation with Ordos City Government and the Ordos Airport Authority ahead of next month’s showpiece 2016 CECF Ordos.
The historic arrival drew senior representation from the Ordos City Government, Ordos Airport Authority, Yiqi Government and Yitai Desert Star Horse Industries. It was also a prelude to a press conference where Ordos City Government and Yitai Desert Star Horse Industries formalized their support for the creation of a commercial horse industry in the region with the signed of two agreements.
- An agreement for the creation of a horse breeding project in Ordos
- An agreement for Yitai Desert Star Horse Industries to manage the Ordos Yiqi Racecourse on behalf of Ordos City Government for 20 years
On hand to witness the signings were:
Mr Ma Ert, Deputy Director, Ordos People’s Congress Standing Committee
Mr Hua Rui Feng, Government Banner Representative, Yiqi Deputy Secretary of the Committee、
Mr Ba Tu Ji Ya Yiqi, Committee Chairman, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (C.P.P.C.C.)
Mr Liu Jian Tong, Airport Group Chairman, Airport Authority Party Committee Secretary
Mr Li Cheng Cai, Director, Inner Mongolia Yitai Desert Star Horse Industries Co., Ltd.
Mr Chen Hao Ling, General Manager, Inner Mongolia Yitai Desert Star Horse Industries Co., Ltd
Mr Ma Ert, Deputy Director, Ordos People’s Congress Standing Committee
Mr Li Cheng Cai, Director, Inner Mongolia Yitai Desert Star Horse Industries Co., Ltd.
Mr Liu Jian Tong, Airport Group Chairman, Airport Authority Party Committee Secretary
The signing of today’s agreements would not have been possible without the extensive support of Ordos City Government, Yiqi Government and the leadership of Central Government which continues to promote the creation of new opportunities in China. Yitai Desert Star Horse Industries’ unwavering belief in the importance of creating a new industry was endorsed by Ordos City Government which has committed some of its resources to ensure this initiative can take root and flourish.
“China has a long and rich history with the horse who is part of our culture and Inner Mongolia is blessed with many natural attributes that will allow for the development of a modern horse industry in China,” said Mr Li.
“With the forming of Yitai Desert Star Horse Industries, with the signing of today’s agreements and with the arrival of 81 horses into Ordos a major step forward has been taken in developing a new future for Ordos and this country’s horse industry. This is part of a shared China Dream.”
A mature commercial horse industry in Ordos is expected to be both an economic driver and a transformative force in the development of the region. It will create new employment and new opportunities as part of an ‘equine value chain of industries’. It will also boost other sectors of the economy including domestic and international tourism, agriculture and the sport and leisure market which is one of China’s fastest growing sectors.
It is estimated that China’s horse industry has the potential to generate up to USD2 billion in direct economic benefits over the next decade. The total direct and indirect economic impact of a commercial equine industry on the Chinese economy may be as much as USD8 billion which includes the creation of 34,000 new jobs.
Today’s announcements are also expected to have positive implications for the fostering of new relationships between China and established international breeding centres. World class studs, breeding farms, auction houses and veterinary practices are among those whose interests have heightened in recent years with the ongoing development of China’s industry through events like the CECF.
Among the historic first shipment of horses into Ordos are thoroughbreds that will compete at next months’ 2016 CECF Ordos. The two day lifestyle and thoroughbred racing festival will be held between 20th – 21st August and follows on from CECF events which have been successfully held in Hohhot, Shanghai, Singapore and Wuhan. This event is a prelude to the official Opening Ceremony of the Ordos Nadam on 22nd August.
The 2016 festival will draw international industry leaders and captains of business to Ordos and promote competition between international jockeys and some of China’s leading riders. The sharing of new friendships and the spirit of competition fall in line with the 2016 CECF theme of ‘Share The Dream’.
The 2016 CECF Ordos will be the first event promoted by Yitai Desert Star Horse Industries at the Ordos Yiqi Racecourse and is set to be the biggest CECF held to date. It will include five feature races carrying total prize money of RMB2.5 million (USD 375,000) and be livestreamed domestically as well as internationally.
Yitai Desert Star Horse Industries is a joint venture between the locally based Yitai Group and the internationally located Desert Star Holdings, the parent company of the China Horse Club.
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