CHC Jockey Qin Yong and horse Endzone
Hubei Province became the toast of the 10th Chinese Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities in Erdos, Inner Mongolia after CHC Jockey Qin Yong and horse Endzone combined as Hubei’s representatives to win the Ulanqab Cup (2000m) by 10 lengths.
It was a heady result and great thrill for Hubei’s flat racing team with the victory securing them their very first gold medal in the 62 year history of the Minority Games. The significance of the result ensured news spreads quickly across online news agencies and across social media platforms nationally.
The Ulanqab Cup brought together some of the best thoroughbred breeders and their horses in China to compete in Erdos, including flat racing dominators Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang provinces. This success further emphasized Hubei’s position as a leader in thoroughbred racing, an industry it has been proactively promoting as a new and growing industry in China.
Hubei government representatives visited the stable after the race and praised Qin Yong and China Horse Club for the contribution. “Thanks to the support of China Horse Club, we have a strong confidence to be successful in the Minority Games,” said Mr. Zhu Jianchang, the official representative of Hubei Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee and Hubei Equine Team. “And we proved it.”
The 10th Chinese Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities (Minority Games), which is held every four years, was officially opened on 9th August 2015 by Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong and runs until 17th August 2015. Over eight days no less than 6240 athletes are expected to compete in front of more than 100,000 guests and officials while promoting 17 different sports that are traditional to Chinese minorities.
The significance of Wednesday’s win was not lost on the China Horse Club who was honoured to be invited to represent Hubei Province with representatives of its racing stable. China Since its inception the China Horse Club has shared Hubei’s vision of promoting thoroughbred racing as an elite sport, as a ‘blue sky’ industry for China and as a platform to promote Chinese both locally and internationally.
“To bring a gold medal to Hubei and its people is a great honour and is one of the great moments of our young club,” said Mr Teo Ah Khing, Chairman of the China Horse Club.
“The China Horse Club was very honoured to be approached to represent Hubei earlier this year to play a role at the Chinese Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities. It is an opportunity we have taken very seriously and we are immensely proud to be able to share this moment with the people of Hubei and to help show why Hubei is a leader in the thoroughbred racing industry in China.
“We are also immensely proud of Qin Yong, Endzone, our head trainer Quinton Cassidy and our entire team that has played a role to help bring honour to Hubei today.”
CHC Jockey Qin Yong
Qin Yong, who has Tujia heritage and who grew up in Hubei, was trained at the Wuhan Business School Jockey program before joining the China Horse Club’s riding ranks. The 26-year-old jockey piloted a masterful race on the China Horse Club’s talisman Endzone to win the biggest race of his career and deliver what has arguably been the standout performance of the flat racing discipline of the Games to date.
Endzone quickly took control of the Ulanqab Cup from the jump, setting a solid tempo against some of china’s premier 2000m runners. By the back straight the strapping bay had opened a lead of six lengths on his rivals. Going into the home corner Qin Yong had little reservation in giving his mount more rein and allowing Endzone to power on through the deep Erdos sand in a relentless display of elite racing. On the line Endzone was more than 10 lengths clear of his nearest rival.
Endzone’s win following on from the placings of fellow China Horse Club runners Flaming Aura (second) and Outpost (third) who filled the placings of the Ulanqab Cup (1000m) on Monday for Hubei.
“I am so proud of our jockey Qin Yong and Endzone,” said trainer Quinton Cassidy.
“The Minority Games has been a target for us for several months and to win here is so rewarding. I know I speak on behalf of our entire stable when I say I’m delighted to be a part of the Hubei team and to be a part of this competition.”
The China Horse Club’s North Dakota and Villequier will be representing Hubei in the Ulanqab Cup (3000m) this Sunday.
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