The Hong Kong Jockey Club and the
China Horse Industry Association (CHIA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
at the Ministry of Agriculture in Beijing on Tuesday, marking a new milestone
in the cooperation between the Club and the CHIA in building a comprehensive
system for the development of the horse industry in China.
“The Club is honoured to be trusted as a strategic partner of the CHIA and
excited to play a supporting role in helping the CHIA achieve its objective of
enhancing the horse industry’s infrastructure,” said The Hong Kong Jockey
Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. “We were very
impressed by the holistic approach taken by the new leadership of the CHIA
since March 2014. Racing is a selection process for breeding. A firm foundation
built on a sound stud book, doping control, and horse welfare is critical for
the long-term development of the industry’s value chain, a continuous cycle
from breeding through to sporting competition.”
The partnership covers the Club’s support of modernising the China Stud Book,
an indispensable resource in the long-term advancement of the horse industry in
the Mainland. The Club will also play a key role in developing an effective
doping control programme while also supporting the planning of an equine
hospital in Beijing, and assisting in ongoing horse care and veterinary
training.
With more than 500 former HKJC racehorses, now retired in the Mainland, and the
ongoing development of the Conghua Training Centre, enhancing veterinary
standards is of great interest to the Club.
Representing the Club are Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kim Mak
and Executive Director, Racing Authority, Mr. Andrew Harding. Representing CHIA
are Secretary-General, Mr. Yue Gaofeng and Chairman, Mr. Jia Youling.
“This MOU exemplifies the Club’s strength and commitment to equine welfare in
the Mainland, an essential aspect to the horse industry,” said Mr. Kim Mak. “We
believe the HKJC-CHIA partnership is long-awaited, and will be most welcomed by
the equestrian communities in China. The Club has been highly recognised by the
Ministry of Agriculture and CHIA with respect to our contributions to ensure
the safety and professional veterinary care for visiting horses, including the
Turkmen horse given to President Xi as a state gift in 2014.”
Mr. Andrew Harding said: “Industry integrity, in the form of an internationally-engaged
identification system, along with effective doping control, is a foundational
necessity for the successful growth of the thoroughbred industry in China. The
Club is looking forward to sharing its expertise with the CHIA in these and
other areas, assisting China on the path to earn recognition from regional and
international industry bodies.”
The Ministry of Agriculture also welcomes this long-term partnership.
Considering the diverse horse culture in the Mainland, the development of the
modern thoroughbred industry will be multi-faceted.
“The China Horse Industry Association sincerely thanks The Hong Kong Jockey
Club for its support to horse industry development in China, and we do cherish
this strategic partnership over the past years,” remarked Mr. Jia Youling,
Chairman of the CHIA. “The modern horse industry in China started relatively
late and with a comparatively weak foundation. However, there is a pressing
need for the horse industry to advance towards more international integration.”
“Over its 130-year history, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has showcased its every
effort to ensure absolute fairness in horse racing, provision for the best
horse welfare, and safeguard the interests of horse owners and customers. These
are exactly the qualities and experience which we should learn from the Club,”
Mr. Jia added.
“The China Horse Industry Association has been striving to build the
whole horse industry chain and set the foundation of the industry. We very much
look forward to a successful cooperation with The Hong Kong Jockey Club to
achieve this objective.”
Mr. Cai Meng, Vice Chairman of CHIA, Dr. Christopher Riggs, Head of Veterinary Clinical Services of the HKJC, Mr. Kim Mak, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of the HKJC, Mr. Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing Authority of the HKJC, Mr. Jia Youling, Chairman of CHIA, Professor Liu Yanshen, Senior Consultant of CHIA, Mr. Yue Gaofeng, Secretary-General of CHIA, at the MOU signing ceremony, picture Hong Kong Jockey Club