The theme of the 2016 State of the Industry issue is “Investing in our future.” Having just come back from an equine trade mission to China, it’s tough not to be energized by the enthusiasm that I witnessed.

They are investing in equine facilities like North American investors pour money into golf course communities. Billions of dollars are earmarked on the basis that people will want to own a part of the equine dream, with vacation homes and suites being developed on the private grounds where polo matches and horse racing events will take place.

These are locations where the rich and famous will gather for champagne celebrations, and where barn staff will care for horses throughout the year. Where children and grandchildren will take lessons, and where foreign dignitaries will rent rooms for weekend events.

The Chinese are looking at the horse industry in a very different way than we are. With no legal wagering and no significant purse pools to speak of, the industry is being built on entertainment and a celebration of the horse. The Chinese believe that the rest will follow.

And with a population exceeding 1.3 billion, and a tremendous amount of wealth, demand is now far exceeding supply.

Gambling, if and when it is legalized, will be another building block. Equine related schools and universities will teach horsemanship and appreciation for the horse. And prize money, which will start as being paid by horse owners, for horse owners, will grow along with other revenue sources.

Where North American racing puts the funding of our oldest racetracks and our Hall of Fames near the bottom of the list, the Chinese put tradition and symbols at the top. They believe the foundation is a love for the animal, the sport and the industry, and that is their focus. The rest, they believe, will follow suit.

For Canada, our opportunity is enormous, but not clearly defined. According to the 2011 Canadian Consensus, there are 1.49 million people of Chinese origin currently living in Canada, and the numbers continue to rise. A relationship with the China Horse Industry Association will aim not only to encourage investment abroad, but in Canada itself.

What stops us from having Mandarin and Cantonese language ownership syndicates and sales catalogues? What prevents us from having a regular presence in Chinese language publications in large population centres like Toronto and Vancouver?

The relationship between Canada and China could also reach to the highest levels of our political leadership. It is the intention of Chinese officials to ensure that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is aware and fully appreciative of how important this equine based relationship is to our two countries. That can’t help but raise our profile nationally, in advance of 2017 – the 250th Anniversary of horse racing in Canada.

At every turn, in China, what you see is opportunity and potential. Now Canada has a real chance to be an integral part of a compelling story. When we talk about the growth of horse racing in this country, we need to recognize that we are respected as global leaders. It’s time to take our rightful place at the table.

Darryl Kaplan
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