China' rich astride horse frenzy

Royal Ascot worked with the China Horse Club and China Merchants Bank this year, each of whom invited a group of guests to the races. [China Daily]

The interest of China's middle class in equine sports is quickly growing as they look for new ways to enjoy their wealth, similar to how they have taken to leisure activities such as golf and sailing. Horse-riding is already a common tourism activity in many Chinese cities, and spectator sports such as horseracing and equestrian shows are now becoming popular.

Equine sports also have a strong social and networking element because they have a culture of exclusivity internationally, which suits China's newly wealthy middle class.

The strong association of horseracing with the British royal family is enough to create a buzz in the Chinese market. And the annual Royal Ascot race meetings, as much about fashion and hospitality as the horses, are increasingly popular with Chinese visitors.

Chinese consumers' growing appreciation for equine sports has created many business opportunities internationally, ranging from exporting horses to China to infrastructure support such as training, horse breeding, riding equipment and building racetracks.

"In China some people view equine sports as something they can engage with, and others view them as a way of showing that they have got the opportunity to spend," says Claire Williams, executive director and secretary of the British Equestrian Trade Association.

Professional horseracing first arrived in China with the establishment of early British expatriate communities in the mid-1800s. One legacy of that was the Shanghai Race Club, which remains a social racing club for wealthy Chinese racehorse owners competing in international races.

Despite the history, horseracing never boomed as an industry because betting on the sport is illegal on the Chinese mainland, although in 2008 the China Speed Horse Race Open in Wuhan was organized as a step toward legalization.

Since then, the sport has grown rapidly. The first China Equine Cultural Festival was held in Hohhot, capital of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, last year.

Today, there are at least a dozen registered jockey clubs in China, and about half a million people work in horse-related industries, the China Horse Industry Association says.