News

Inglis CEO Addresses China Horse Industry Association in Shanghai

26th Sep 2010

At the request of the China Horse Industry Association, Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster yesterday provided an address to equine conference delegates in Shanghai on the Australian thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. In attendance were many of the country’s equine enthusiasts and decision makers who participated in the three day 2010 China International Horse Fair.

Webster highlighted the versatility and toughness of the Australian thoroughbred, capable of winning races from a young age over all distances in Australia and around the world. The success of the Australian thoroughbred in Hong Kong and Singapore was well understood by the conference delegates.

Also highlighted during the address was the cost benefit of buying from Australia, where it is significantly cheaper to transport a horse via air freight from Australia to China than from Japan, the USA or even Hong Kong, despite Australia being further away. This is due to a much higher demand for air freight within Asia and on other routes.

Inglis was joined by other exhibitors in the Shanghai East Asia Exhibition Hall for the last three days which has showcased all equine pursuits to the growing customer base in China, and was the only thoroughbred sales company from around the world to exhibit and present to the delegates. Webster also provided an overview of Australian breeding and auction sales to an audience of 100 million on Chinese national television.

“Having sold over 60 thoroughbred yearlings to China in the last 18 months the profile of the product we breed and sell in Australia is really building momentum in this growing market. It was pleasing to hear from our clients that graduates from this years Easter Yearling Sale have adapted well to China and will be ready to commence racing in the next few months in Beijing, Shanghai and Wuhan,” said Mark Webster.

“We’ve had plenty of enquiries this week from new and existing clients up here to source more thoroughbreds, especially yearlings and broodmares, and expect a good turn out for our sales in 2011,” Webster added.

Last week Inglis Asia representative Peter Twomey joined with Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria to participate in a horse fair in Chengdu, providing assistance to the organisers of the first government sanctioned thoroughbred auction in China. The auction went very well with the horses sold to buyers from Shanghai, Beijing and local Chengdu owners and breeders. The Australian bred horses gifted by Victorian breeders were very well received and have generated a high level of goodwill.

Inglis is fully committed to building strong ties with new and emerging markets, and appreciate the proactive assistance from Qantas and Hunt & Hunt in helping Inglis to highlight the attributes of the Australian thoroughbred at the 2010 China International Horse Fair.