Darren Pearce, CEO of the ATC , says it's looking to build a relationship with China.
The Magic Millions yearling sales in January underlined the regard Chinese buyers have for Australian horseflesh. A similarly robust showing is expected at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sales in April.
The strength of the local breeding industry, the prizemoney in Australian racing, the practice of shuttling stallions and the fall in the Australian dollar have all contributed to the rise in appeal of the Australian thoroughbred.
Chief executive of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia Tom Reilly says he's delighted with the internationalisation of the local breeding industry. Many major international horse businesses have a presence here now.
"With the shuttle stallions, initially it was the foreign horses coming here but now there is demand for Australian horses to head overseas," says Reilly, referring to the way horses are flown around the world to produce progeny.
It has become a substantial industry. The TBA says Australia breeders spent more than $400 million on fees for stallions in 2014. At auctions in 2015, around $430 million was outlaid on yearlings. weanlings and broodmares.
It's also labour-intensive. While the leading trainers and jockeys take much of the focus, behind them is an army of strappers, stable hands and casual staff working on racetracks, which underpins the thoroughbred industry.
For the eighth year in a row, a horse from Australia was rated the world's top sprinter. That accolade went to Able Friend, a gelding which races in Hong Kong but which was bred in Australia.
While much of the attention at the sales is on the horses which go for the highest prices, Webster says successful horses can be picked up for a relatively cheap amount. Brazen Beau was bought for a modest sum but then won Group 1 races – the sports highest ranked events – and is now a very valuable stallion with major stud Darley.
At the 2015 Easter sales, there was a 50-50 split between local and foreign buyers. A few years ago it was more like 75-25. About half of the overseas buyers last year were from Asia, followed by the UAE and New Zealand.
A key attraction of the Australian racing industry is the big prizemoney on offer, one of the most lucrative in the world. Managing director at Magic Millions Vin Cox says there have been big increases in prizemoney in NSW and the 2016 Magic Millions on the Gold Coast was the first $10 million race day in Australia.
Magic Millions race day is a restricted race meeting in that only horses purchased at MM sales can enter the races. The news that they would be competing for those riches has helped spur the sales at recent Magic Millions sales.
Race clubs are also seeing the advantages of closer links to Asia. The Australian Turf Club and the Moonee Valley Race Club have recently held meetings with a large Chinese involvement.
Chief executive of the ATC Darren Pearce says it worked with some wonderful partners to bring the January 16 raceday to fruition. There are significant opportunities in working with the Chinese community here and for horse racing in China itself, he says.
The ATC already has plans to expand its next Chinese race day. This year's attracted around 250 delegates to a trade convention conducted prior to the race day, indicating the level of interest.
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