Why China Could Be The Next Big Horse Racing Market
The thunder of hooves is a noise recognised across many continents, but many do not realise its growing popularity in Asia. China hasn’t historically been interested in horse racing to quite the same degree and the US and UK, but it’s certainly no stranger either. In fact, horse racing would draw in tens of thousands of people over 100 years ago before it was outlawed.
Given its vast population and growing middle class, the market has quietly been growing. And, although betting on horses is still illegal in China, much the same way that casinos like casino.netbet.co.uk are not present in the mainland, it still gets many eyes.
The Growth of Equestrian Interest
Equestrian sports are becoming big again in China in part thanks to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The number of equestrian clubs grew by a factor of 10 over in the decade leading up to 2024, with 10 new clubs being established in Beijing annually.
This growth is fuelled by investment in high-quality horses (and the actual view that horses can be an investment) as well as the construction of new racetracks. The China Horse Club and Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Group are achieving a lot of international success.
The Role of Government and Policy
The Hong Kong government’s National Equine Industry Development Plan really put out the signal of strong support. This plan is all about improving horse welfare and medication standards, along with developing national competitions. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (the CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club) has proposed a lottery system that could include horse racing. The discussions between Chinese authorities and the HKJC are ongoing and are fleshing out the details of integrity and horse welfare.
Infrastructure and Expertise
The ban on gambling in mainland China remains a huge bottleneck in letting the sport blow up, as this is a huge part of the culture in markets around the world. More racing infrastructure is currently needed, but China is no stranger to vast and rapid infrastructure projects, and the focus will be on world class racetracks and training. More difficult, perhaps, is the catching up of local expertise in horse breeding, training and veterinary care, which are difficult to muster up quickly. This passing down of knowledge is something that takes time, and to speed it up would mean importing trainers and breeders from overseas to learn from.
Current Events to Watch Out For
Less surprising is that Hong Kong has its own major events, such as the Longines Hong Kong International Races, which has a prize pool of HK$100 million spread across four main races. However, the Hong Kong Jockey Club are currently investing billions in turning Conghua (mainland China) into a world class venue. Starting in 2026, it will host up to six races per season, as well as weekly equestrian programs.
Conclusion
With influence from Hong Kong and the Olympics, as well as a growing middle class, China is only now pouring money and attention into its horse racing. Given their aptitude for infrastructure projects, they’re one to watch when it comes to the future of world class horse racing events.