Irish racing has received a boost with news of a multi-million euro deal with China to help set up a thoroughbred industry in the Far East.
Under the agreement, top Irish stud farm Coolmore in County Tipperary will help China set up a similar operation.
Sited in Tianjin, China's fourth largest city, the planned world-class equine centre will be the first of its kind in the country. It is due to open next year.
The facility will be stocked with broodmares from Ireland while stallions will also be sent out.
"This has been cultivated for some years. Horse Racing Ireland has an international marketing wing and we've been entertaining delegations for China for some years," said Michael O'Rourke, HRI's director of marketing and communication.
"They've been seeing our stud farms and coming to our sales.
"What is particularly exciting about this is that this is the first deal of its kind done by the Chinese government. That is a big plus.
"They have been saying very nice things about us, that we are a world leader.
"The HRI message would be that Ireland is the best country in which to breed racehorses.
"A little known stat is that Ireland is the biggest producer of thoroughbred foals in Europe and the third in the world after America and Australia.
"We are punching well above our weight and that has got through to them.
"Racing is designed to improve the breed and Irish stallions have led the sires list for the last 20 years. The Epsom Derby and the Cheltenham Gold Cup have been dominated by Irish-bred horses.
"Those kind of figures have got through on the world stage.
"It's remarkable and, of course, Coolmore leads the brand for the Irish thoroughbred. They have picked up on that.
"Realistically, domestic demand has been quite flat since 2008. We have been conscious that if we are going to get growth it would be overseas. And this has great potential.
"A few years ago our export of thoroughbreds were worth 200million euro a year. They are talking this project alone delivering 50million in about three years' time, so that shows the scale of it.
"The very good thing from our point of view domestically is that thoroughbred racing and breeding is a very labour intensive business.
"The downstream jobs on the farms will be secured by this - everything from the lads riding out horses to farriers, vets, grooms etc. It's that whole downstream.
"If there is one thing Irish racing would claim it is that as well as the horses, it is the people we have that have a special affinity for horses. We've been very anxious with the recession not to lose that indigenous skill base. This is great news in that respect."
