1st Aust Thoroughbred Sale In Beijing

In China, Australian breeders conducted the 1st-ever Australian thoroughbred sale in Beijing. The sale (on the outskirts of Beijing at the private training track of the Chinese vendor) offered 80 unraced Australian-breds (mostly 2YOs) supplied by Magic Millions & sourced from across Australia with published reserve prices. The horses were quarantined in the NSW Hunter Valley, before being transported to Beijing where they were broken-in & prepared for the sale by former Hong Kong trainer & Magic Millions agent Stephen Leung. Aushorse Marketing chief executive Peter McGauran said the sale "provided a platform for further expansion into the market" noting: "There is growing interest in racing & breeding in China & Aussie-breds are leading the way. Although there is no legalised gambling on horse racing yet in China, there are signs of growth in thoroughbred racing as a sport. Even with the limitations a ban on betting has on the development of a racing industry, China is progressing towards a valuable niche market for Australian breeders." (Oct 13)