Long a staple of life in Hong Kong, Mainland China has decided to welcome the return of horse racing to meet demand for the sport around the country.

Beijing has formally established the China Jockey Association, an organisation that will be responsible for horse racing and the race horse industry. Horse racing will officially kick-off in next year in July with a race in Shanghai, followed by another in Beijing in October.

Revenues from the industry will be sent to the government, charities, the racing industry itself, and boost prize winnings for lotteries.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club didn’t comment on what influence racing in the Mainland may have on its own lucrative business. Betting on races in Hong Kong is one of the only places to gamble in China, the other being at the casinos in Macau.

Analysts are quick to point out that by establishing a horse racing industry in China, secondary industries will benefit as a result, such as feed industries and blacksmiths.

Despite a ban on horse racing since the Communist Party came into power in 1949, horse racing has had a long tradition in China. The sport was popular in 1850 during the Qing Dynasty in Shanghai, Beijing, and Tianjin. During the 1930s, horse racing was operated in Shanghai by the British and was also very popular.

At present, Beijing, Shanghai and Wuhan are among many cities interested in operating their own jockey clubs.

Photo: msn