In two weeks time my best friend goes to China as part of a six man trade delegation; part government, part private enterprise. The result will (not could, but definitely will) be the Chinese buying up to a billion pounds of British goods and services over the next 10 years. What are they buying you rush to ask? The answer horse racing.
As you may have heard, there is a slight rumor that the Chinese like to gamble and following the return of Hong Kong, the powerful and rich Hong Kong Jockey club set about introducing the pastime to their new owner. Smart racing clubs were opened in the big mainland cities where the new rich Chinese could watch racing and have the odd bet. Not long before they wanted to own horses and see them run, while they strut around in the owner's box. Meanwhile, just about every Chinese man wants to bet on the racing, every day! The trade delegation has been asked to go and sell them the expertise and admin to set up the running of racing in China, as well as to sell the Chinese planning and design for the first twenty race tracks (they have just one on the mainland now). The Irish have already sent a delegation and sold them the start-up stock for breeding race horses (the Chinese long term plan would need over 10,000 horses!).
The delegation's first ploy has already floored any attempt by other countries to sell to China. In the Summer, the sixty top Chinese business men involved in this project have been asked to come to Royal Ascot and meet the Queen.
Love her or hate her, she does front a lot of trade deals (I know, I've seen it first hand) and of course... she knows her racing - "more tea Mr Chang?"
As you may have heard, there is a slight rumor that the Chinese like to gamble and following the return of Hong Kong, the powerful and rich Hong Kong Jockey club set about introducing the pastime to their new owner. Smart racing clubs were opened in the big mainland cities where the new rich Chinese could watch racing and have the odd bet. Not long before they wanted to own horses and see them run, while they strut around in the owner's box. Meanwhile, just about every Chinese man wants to bet on the racing, every day! The trade delegation has been asked to go and sell them the expertise and admin to set up the running of racing in China, as well as to sell the Chinese planning and design for the first twenty race tracks (they have just one on the mainland now). The Irish have already sent a delegation and sold them the start-up stock for breeding race horses (the Chinese long term plan would need over 10,000 horses!).
The delegation's first ploy has already floored any attempt by other countries to sell to China. In the Summer, the sixty top Chinese business men involved in this project have been asked to come to Royal Ascot and meet the Queen.
Love her or hate her, she does front a lot of trade deals (I know, I've seen it first hand) and of course... she knows her racing - "more tea Mr Chang?"
groan..