Queensland jockeys to ride in Mongolia as racing moves to push into mainland China

A TRIO of Queensland jockeys are about to find themselves saddling up in far-flung Mongolia.

Mongolian tribesmen

A TRIO of Queensland jockeys are about to find themselves saddling up in far-flung Mongolia and becoming a key plank of racing’s bold plans to push into mainland China.

Michael Cahill, Jim Byrne and Ryan Wiggins have accepted an invitation from the China Horse Club to ride at next week’s meeting in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, with prizemoney for each race of up to $US150,000.

The China Horse Club was a big player at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, combining with Coolmore Stud to splurge $4 million on two colts.

Racing has always been keen to move into mainland China but several previous attempts have been stymied, primarily because gambling has primarily been banned on the mainland since the Communist takeover in 1949.

Times appear to be changing and the government has flagged the possibility of legalising some forms of betting, meaning the Mongolian meeting could be the start of something big.

Australian trainer John Thompson will send up to 20 horses for the Mongolian meeting, with another 20 from Coolmore in Ireland and some from France. Other horses have been auctioned to local interests, including some to the Mongolian president.

Cahill, who has previously ridden in Mauritius, Singapore and Malaysia, admits he does not know what to expect from the Mongolian adventure.

Mongolian tribesmen

“I’ve been told it’s on a dirt track on a racing facility about 40 minutes out of the city, but it will be a bit of a mystery,’’ Cahill said. “It sure it will be an experience I always remember.’’

Cahill believes China, with a population of 1.35 billion and the second largest source of wealth in the world after the US, is destined to develop a successful horse racing and breeding industry, although it may not happen overnight.

“China really is the land of opportunity and when you put your put mind to it, you can imagine what the horse racing industry could become over there,’’ Cahill said.

“It will take time to develop. It has been tried several times but because the government doesn’t allow gambling, it put a stop to it.

“But gambling is also illegal in Dubai and they have some of the world’s richest races there. People can still bet on the (Dubai) races there through corporate bookmakers in Europe.’’

The residents of Hohhot can’t wait for next week’s race meeting but Cahill is sure it won’t compare to the racing passion from the people of Mauritius, where the jockey spent an 18-month stint.

‘’That was one seriously mad racing island. I was even stopped by kids on their way to school asking me for tips,’’ Cahill said.