China’s 780 Million Mobile Phone Users Get to Paticipate in Horse Racing

Richman’s Racing TV, a service division of RS Management Limited of Hong Kong has, through China Racing Media, accepted the exclusive right / franchise to record and broadcast live and recorded video and audio of all races to be held at The Royal Nanjing Jockey Club’s (RNJC) race course in Nanjing, China.

RSM believes that this exclusive broadcasting right / franchise is valuable and capable of generating significant annual revenues for all parties concerned - with relatively little if any risk. However, in consideration of the award of the exclusive franchise, RSM’s has agreed to provide financial support for the early completion of RNJC’s race course, relevant supporting infrastructure and subsidies for Tierce and Quinella pools.

Richman’s Racing TV proposes to initially target a subscription level representing less than 2% of China’s 780 million current mobile phone users. Subscriptions will be marketed through revenue sharing partnerships with China’s major mobile network operators.

In addition to being able to view live racing, race analysis, horse and jockey fundamentals and expert commentary, subscribers to Richman’s Racing TV will also be entitled to register their selections of horses they think will win RNJC’s regular Tierce and Quinella cash pools. Selections can be made directly through their mobile phones and is FREE OF CHARGE. Richman’s Racing TV and RNJC do not accept bets on their horse races. Subscriber’s horse selection entitlements is for every race run at RNJC for the duration of their subscription.

According to RSM, Richman’s Racing TV subscription are affordable and offer an attractive cost to benefits proposition: RNJC’s live racing data subscription is to be offered at a very affordable monthly rate and will permit subscribers to participate in selecting winning horses for up to 80 races per month. This basically means that for a very affordable monthly subscription cost, a subscriber has the chance to win (or if there is more than one winner) share in a total Tierce pool of up to ¥8,000,000 per month and also a chance to win (or if there is more than one winner) share in a total Quinella pool of up to ¥4,000,000 per month. Subscribers get a chance to win a total of ¥12,000,000 per month with having to place any bets.

For more information on revenue sharing alliances, please email RS Management Limited.

New Techniques in Selecting and Training Winners

Thoroughbred (and Arabian) horse breeding, training and racing is a multi billion dollar industry. Some of the world’s wealthiest corporations and individuals are involved in it. Owners, breeders, racecourse operators, trainers, jockeys, bookmakers and yes even online gaming site operators spend time and money trying to understand how to pick the best horses.

With so much money from so many groups involved - it’s no surprise that the quest to find superior selection and training techniques have always been viewed as the holy grail of the industry. One pioneer who has developed a successful method through Equine Psychology Techniques to both select and train winners is Kerry M. Thomas the founder of Thomas Herding Technique.

Following is an article by Kerry Thomas outlining some of the special techniques he employs to select and train tomorrow’s winners. By special prior arrangement Richman’s Racing members will be able to avail of Kerry Thomas’s services. Please contact us for more information.

Emotional Conformation, scouting the hidden talent… By: Kerry M Thomas

Often mystical is the nature and flowing beauty of the horse. For centuries mankind has been enticed by the allure, infatuated with the power, and awed by the magic within the spirit of the horse. And for me, that magic is revealed in the Emotional Conformation of the horse.

My name is Kerry M. Thomas and I am the founder of the Thomas Herding Technique. I consider myself an investigator, a researcher who develops specific protocols based on an investigation and study of the psychology and emergent properties hidden within the horse.

Mental soundness, aptitude, behavioral tendencies, emergent properties, family line behavioral traits, and focus agility all blend together to form the Emotional Conformation of the Equine athlete. Physical conditioning is very important, but mental soundness is the key to the successful Equine athlete.

Why do some horses seem to be unable to pass other horses or get fragile in certain positions on the track, herding together and coming in a nose behind, or a behind, behind, even when physically their constitution is more powerful?

Many races are lost not because of the lack of physical training, but rather, they are lost in the space of time it takes for the horse to properly manage the emotional stress it incurs during the race.

Not only is physical conditioning important for the success of the Equine athlete. But, the question is: does the horse have the will to win – an emotional level of soundness that manifests itself into a physical result?

Emotional Conformation can answer that question. Emotional Conformation: know it, nurture it, breed it, train it...

Genetic research and pedigree analysis reveals much about the Thoroughbred racehorse. Physical aptitude and conformation are considered in all aspects from breeding to how they should be trained and raced. However, an investigation into the individual equine psyche is just as important and it completes the Emotional Conformation profile. Individual nuances, personality propensities, emergent properties of behavioral dynamics, the intricate social structure of the herd in both Group Herd Dynamics and Individual Herd Dynamics, all have to be considered in every area of the horse’s life – from breeding selections to training and developing to actual competition. Just because a horse is bred from so and so for such and such, doesn’t mean the projection should be cookie-cutter neat; physical ability does not always mean mental preparedness.

Genetics, alone, is not the determining factor for success or failure. But, rather, it is the mind of the horse that is in complete control of the will and, thus, performance, on and off the racetrack.

An athlete has to have a natural inclination for managing emotional stress. Have you ever felt nervous or anxious before a speech, or an at-bat, or some other big moment? You probably have one time or another felt that burn of anxious energy from an emotional build-up to an event. Yet it is less the moment than it is how you manage the moment, which will influence the outcome. This is a key area of Emotional Conformation and what I have developed as a barometer of sorts, is in indicator I call the P-Type.

Emotional Genetics are Revealed in the Emotional Conformation of the Horse

Pedigree efforts alone, while extremely vital, are primarily concerned with the physical genetics of the equine athlete – the Physical Conformation. Now you can enhance this information with an Emotional Conformation, a grade-score indicated by the P-Type.

A study of the horse’s individual behavioral tendencies lends itself toward a deeper understanding of the driving force that powers the physical animal. Physical Genetics are only part of the story; it is the latent tendencies of behavior that complete the equine athlete. Emotional Conformation can establish family behavioral markers which can be used in the evaluation processes well beyond mating considerations.

Behavioral tendencies within the equine psyche are the emergent property signatures that can only be nurtured when understood. Herd dynamics and the mental aspect of the equine are underutilized, yet powerful allies in the advancement of the athlete.

Hybrid-Reality: Atavism

Consider the Physical Genetics handed down the breeding line as a gene pool rather like a baseball team with a roster of 15 individual players. Out of the 15 individual players only nine can be on the field at any given time. These nine represent the entire team – they are the Emotional Conformation controlling the physical make-up of the whole. Nature’s law, the rules of atavism, In hybrid or impure animals, traits are passed on completely independent from each other. Thus, we can easily understand the important role that is played by the Emotional Conformation of the horse – for distance aptitude can be found within.

When we seek to apply Emotional Conformation to mating we must remember that breeding for behavior requires an established profile for either the Sire or the Broodmare, after which a mate can be sought to suite the desired projection or likely foal tendencies. The highest probability of success requires considering and combining both Physical and Emotional genetics.

The mental capacity of the equine controls the physical output of the athlete.

Focus agility is the determining factor that allows physical ability to be fulfilled. Any species that adapts well is a species reliant on continued advancement by emergent properties. At Thomas Herding Technique I focus on Equine Athletic Psychology, to investigate, evaluate, and apply, the individual propensities of the horse.

The application of this process lends itself to a great many uses along the road of the Thoroughbred athlete and perhaps none more effective than scouting the hidden talent that lay within the horse: The Economics of Behavior simply makes sense.

Throughout the ages we have looked to the horse to entertain and help us with tasks both spectacular and mundane. If we wish to return the full measure of what the horse has given us, we need to reach beyond our own world and embrace the magic within the spirit of the horse.

Dubai Horse Fair to Showcase Equestrian Safety

The region's leading equine exhibition will highlight the welfare of both horse and rider.

As the prize money at international horse championships increases, so too does the value of both horse and rider. In recent years, innovative products, treatments and technologies serving to safeguard this serious investment have come to the forefront of the equine market. See editor's note below.

Abdulla Qassem, Board Member of Higher Organising Committee of Dubai International Horse Fair and Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship, said: "We have seen significant advancements in the technologies that reduce the risks associated with equestrianism, while retaining the sport's excitement."

Nowhere is this more evident than at the 6th Dubai International Horse Fair, the region's leading equine exhibition that takes place from March 18 until 20 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, and runs concurrently with the $4 million (Dh14.7m) Arabian Horse Championship.

Qassem said: "Exhibitors recognise that owners, trainers, breeders and enthusiasts in this market are uncompromising in their demand for the highest quality and safest and most technologically advanced products that will ensure horses and riders reach their full potential. With the show coinciding with other high-profile equestrian events in Dubai, the Dubai International Horse Fair provides the perfect platform to reach this market."

In keeping with this demand, some innovative products will be showcased at the horse show.
MK9, the world's first racing simulator for jockeys, which for horseracing professionals combines the essential elements of both safety and practice, will be introduced to the Middle East for the first time. This training tool will provide the jockey with the most realistic riding experience, enabling him to hone his skills and practice unfamiliar or difficult racetracks without risk of injury or distraction.

Specialists in safety and protection equipment will showcase the most technologically advanced safety jackets for riders in dressage, showjumping, eventing and steeplechasing.

Abdul Feroze Kareem, General Manager, Al Awani General Enterprise, the UAE's leading distributor of premier equestrian products and a key exhibitor at the show, said: "The wellbeing of horses in every discipline is of upmost importance to Al Awani and we are committed to providing the best equipment for both horse and rider. The Dubai International Horse Fair is the perfect arena for vendors and suppliers looking for the latest examples of products and equipment shaping the future of the equine industry."

The event will once again run concurrently with the Dubai World Cup, which is to be held just after the exhibition and the Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship, the preeminent competition in the region for purebred Arabian horses, renowned for their beauty, agility and heritage. With prize money of $4m for 2010, the championship attracts entries of the highest calibre from around the world. More than 200 companies from 30 countries will be exhibiting the latest advancements in the equine industry, particularly in the area of safety, at this year's show.

Editor’s Note: RS Management Limited (RSM), Global General Managers of Richman’s IMC and The Royal Nanjing Jockey Club are in the process of introducing a special range of food supplements for race horses. These supplements, that will be available in China soon, have been proven in Japan and Australia to enhance overall equestrian health and expecially their racing performance. For enquiries please contact RSM at contactrsm@gmail.com

Shadwell Sponsors Meydan's Big Race

According to an article from Gulf News, Shadwell’s stud director Richard Lancaster says the new course at Meydan is truly amazing and will be the envy of the world.

Shadwell Estate continues to show their support for horse racing in the UAE by sponsoring today's big-race meeting at Meydan racecourse.

Tonight's meeting features the second rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge, with the Group Three Thoroughbred edition run over 1,900 metres and the Group One Purebred Arabian version run over 2,200 metres, both on the all-weather track.

Meydan's Chairman of the Board and CEO Saeed Humaid Al Tayer said: "The Dubai International Racing Carnival will be past the half-way mark this Thursday [today], as Meydan Racecourse hosts the fifth of nine meetings in this edition.

"We are excited and look forward to what lies ahead, as we have seen the Carnival grow into the definitive racing feature it is today. This would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, and we are extremely grateful to our long-term partners Shadwell Estate for their commitment to racing and their support of the Dubai Racing Club and Meydan".

Shadwell Estate's Stud Director, Richard Lancaster added: "Shadwell is delighted to continue its long association with the Dubai Racing Club. It is especially exciting this year to be coming to sponsor at the new Meydan Racecourse. This project which one has seen develop from the drawing board to completion has been truly amazing and has produced a racecourse that will be the envy of the world.

Today's meeting offers a number of hospitality options available to suit all tastes. Entrance to the public areas of Meydan Racecourse is free of charge and there are also complimentary transfers at the end of the night from Meydan Racecourse to Emirates Towers and Souk Madinat.

Note: Shadwell was bought by H H Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum twenty five years ago. The stud estate located just outside Thetford in Norfolk had previously been owned by the Musker family. The racing and breeding of thoroughbred horses had been engrained in the Estate’s history for over a hundred years.

CHINESE MILLIONAIRES’ LATEST LIFESTYLE REPORT

This is the 6th time since 2005 that Hurun Report had announced the annual research findings of brand awareness and preferences, consumption habits and lifestyle trends of China’s highest net worth individuals.

This year’s report consists of two parts – the lifestyle report and the Best of the Best report. The lifestyle report gives a comprehensive analysis of the differences between millionaires in tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3 cities, men and women, elder and younger as well as the multimillionaires and average level consumers. The Best of the Best report discloses the Chinese millionaires’ brand preferences.

Read the full report from Hurun Website...

Dubai World Cup on March 27, 2009

January 28 marks the first meeting of the Carnival at the new Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse and will culminate with the 15th Dubai World Cup on March 27.

Showcasing a countdown timer, racing calendar and program for the Carnival, information on ticketing and dining are available on the website, including rates for general admissions, packages, banqueting and corporate entertainment at the Meydan Grandstand Suites. The site also premieres a new secure and user-friendly booking engine and payment gateway to facilitate consumers who wish to enjoy a night at the races at one of the several dining establishments in Meydan.

Horsemen including owners, trainers and jockeys, will also have quick and easy access to crucial information, including details about rules and regulations, application forms, quarantine and vaccination, transport, subsidies and incentives, weight for age, international agents and track surfaces.

For all media representatives, the Media Centre will also be the essential resource portal for all news, videos and photographs related to the Carnival.

The new DRC website will enable essential information such as race cards, form guides and results to be pulled real-time via the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) website. ERA is the internationally recognised governing body for horse racing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"The new Dubai Racing Club website is pivotal in how informative it is and how it captures the passion and excitement behind the upcoming racing season at Meydan. It also completes the customer experience for all those who wish to attend the Dubai International Racing Carnival and we are pleased with how it also champions horseracing globally.

"We are also always in the process of continually upgrading our value and service offerings to empower our partners and customers, thereby ensuring that they are exposed to global best practices and services that technology can empower us to offer," said Chairman of the Board and CEO of Meydan Mr. Saeed Humaid Al-Tayer.

About Dubai Racing Club

The Dubai Racing Club (DRC) is the key proponent behind the city's horseracing aspirations and has propelled it onto the international racing stage by hosting three of UAE's most prestigious racing events - the Winter Racing Challenge, the Dubai International Racing Carnival and the Dubai World Cup. Formerly located at the historic Nad Al Sheba racecourse, the Dubai Racing Club is now headquartered at the iconic Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse, an integral part of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai to create the ultimate venue for an integrated horseracing facility and a globally competitive city of the future.

For more information, please visit: http://www.dubairacingclub.com/

African Racing News Update

According to an article in the Weekend Post Addo horse-breeder and farmer Phindi Kema is one of the key movers and shakers behind an ambitious R1,3-billion horse-racing initiative in Plettenberg Bay which could see horses from all over the African continent competing in a prestige annual event.

The Iph’iNtombi farm owner is a director of African Race Estate and a mom-of-three whose dream it is to see African-bred thoroughbreds and Arabian royalty race in Plett at a new track and pavilion incorporating a five-star hotel and village.

The proposed Africa Race International (ARI) would be an annual event at which horses from all over Africa would represent their countries.

“People still grapple with the level of this race,” said Kema. “It is going to benefit the (horse-racing) industry and South Africa. It will open new markets.”

She said it would be a first of its kind and “a lot of work and time will be put into it before it starts”. The development would begin as soon as regulatory requirements – like an environmental impact assessment and rezoning of the 60ha land which had been identified – had been cleared. The land is situated west of Plettenberg Bay, adjacent to the shoreline.

The inaugural race was likely to have horses representing Swaziland, Angola, Nigeria, Morocco and Libya and funding was expected from local and Middle Eastern partners, with Qatar rumoured to be one of the nations involved.

“I realised there was a market out there that has never been explored by the industry and I’ve brought in outside partners to take full advantage of it and take racing forward.

“The Western Cape government is fully behind the project. It fits within their vision – this race, without a doubt, will add a lot of value to the industry and Western Cape because of its uniqueness.”

Kema will not give up farming in the Eastern Cape just yet, but is negotiating a deal that will free up her time so she can focus on the racing initiative while relocating to Plett. “My focus in the next few years is Africa Race International and to attend more race meetings in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.”

She said overseas expertise was being brought in and a European expert had been appointed to market the race internationally. An announcement in this regard would be made at the end of this month.

Kema, who made her mark as a businesswoman by farming with citrus and later breeding horses, said she was keen on turning Plett into a horse-racing capital for African horses. While the man in the street would be able to race at the annual event, the developers were targeting African countries, their royalty and the super-rich, she said.

Kema won the Editor’s Choice category of the 2008 The Herald, Absa Corporate Business Bank and NMMU Business School Business Person of the Year Awards for her agricultural enterprises in Addo.

She said she believed that “going after your dreams by taking risks pays later” and added it was important to “put time, focus and energy into anything you do”.

She has decided to move to Plett “to be close to the regulatory process while plans to seal the deal are under way”.

Western Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Alan Winde said his department supported the initiative and on January 25 a meeting with other role- players, such as provincial planning and provincial agriculture, would take place in Cape Town.

Winde said he did not foresee agriculture or the Bitou Municipality in Plett having a problem with the development plans. “I think this plan makes good economic and tourism sense.”
If the proposed land was not available, Winde said he would be “happy to help find other suitable land”.

Note: Several African horse racing enthusiasts have invited Richman's Racing to establish a presence in Africa similar to the one it has in China.

Could Hainan Island be China's answer to Las Vegas?

Well according to a China Daily article entitled ‘Resorts, lotteries coming to Hainan’, Lottery regulations are being relaxed in China's tropical southern island province of Hainan to assist it becoming a global resort within a decade, marking a big step forward for the country's lottery business.

The State Council, China's Cabinet, has apparently given permission to Hainan on Monday to "explore and develop" pari-mutuel sports lotteries and instant sports lotteries on large international events, which is expected to enrich Hainan's tourism resources.

Media speculation was aroused as to whether gambling on horseracing is likely to be introduced to the island as well. Gambling is still illegal on the Chinese mainland, according to current Chinese laws.

According to Dr A S Johan an adviser to RS Management Limited – Global General Managers for Richman’s International Millionaire’s Clubs and its affiliate The Royal Nanjing Jockey Club, other forms of gaming may be successful but it is unlikely that horse racing could be successful in Hainan - even if gambling of some sort was permitted. Horse racing requires a substantial domestic audience and cannot be supported by tourists and temporary visitors.

Welfare and sports lotteries were permitted two decades ago to raise funds for welfare and sports causes, and a regulation was passed last year to legalize the lottery business in China, said Wang Xuehong, director of the China Center for Lottery Studies based in Peking University.

Previously, pari-mutuel sports lotteries could only bet on the results of foreign basketball and football games, not domestic games, out of fear of match fixing and other unfair practices, she said.

"Now the rules allow pari-mutuel sports lotteries to bet on the results of domestic and international sports events that are held in Hainan, which will be a big step forward for China's 22-year-old lottery business," she said.

Biking, sailing, beach volleyball and horseracing, as long as they are held in Hainan, could all be the subject of the pari-mutuel lottery in the future, she said.

The lotteries, as well as duty-free shopping, a broadened visa-free policy and a harsher crackdown on illegal tourism practices to improve Hainan's image, are expected to work together to attract more tourists from home and abroad.

Google Alerts Used to Research World's Top 10 Gambling Brands

Independent Gaming Consultant, Josh Apiafi, was commissioned by a client looking to invest in the gaming industry to test the brand strength of ten of the biggest names within the sector, namely; 888, bet365, Betfair, Bodog, bwin, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Party Poker, Pokerstars and William Hill.

Few would question the dominance of Google in search engine terms and therefore the number of Google Alerts* generated daily by each of the firms was a major indicator towards the results of the project. The data run was complied throughout the month of December 2009. The results highlighted how strongly competitive the PR arena for the major gambling companies was and also how successfully gambling companies have embraced the plethora of new media available.

Josh Apiafi, Partner of Apiafi Associates, commented: "With much talk of digital and social media as well as the investment gambling companies put into PR generally we were keen to see how well the industry was getting its message out there with impressive results."

"The method's simplicity is its trump card. Equally, the results were very consistent on a daily basis - this wasn't a case of one brand having a lot to shout about during this particular period or having one or two very strong days that skewed the data."

Company-Total
Bodog-510
PokerStars-493
Betfair-467
Paddy Power-437
Ladbrokes-421
Bet365-414
William Hill-395
BWin-178
Party Poker-175
888-99

Notes: mentions of telephone numbers containing '888' were discounted. Google Alerts are a service offered by Google which notifies its users by email, or as a feed, about the latest web and news pages of their choice.

Hong Kong CEO's million-dollar hunt

Here is an interesting piece by Tanya Westthorp writing for the Gold Coast.Com website.

CASUALLY dressed and unassumingly inspecting horses, world-renowned racing identities with millions burning holes in their pockets blended in with the crowd at the Magic Millions sales yard yesterday.

The Bundall complex was crawling with a who's who of horseracing as cashed-up international buyers from Hong Kong, Japan, South Africa, Ireland and England inspected their top picks of the 1236 yearlings on offer.

Even Lord William Huntingdon, who has trained horses for the Queen, was walking around the complex yesterday.

They look like any other everyday horsy-type person, but when Magic Millions boss Gerry Harvey makes a fuss of them, it is clear they are someone important.

Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges came straight from the airport to the stables yesterday and into Mr Harvey's open arms.

As one of the big spending buyers, the man who gets paid $1 million a year to oversee a $100 billion Hong Kong racing empire, is expected to stock up on up to 15 horses at this year's sales.

"Sixty per cent of the horses raced in Hong Kong come from Australia, so this is an important sale," said Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges.

Mark Player, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's head of international races, sales and development, said they spent $2.5 million at last year's sales, buying potential champions to then on-sell to their club members.

He said the strong Australian dollar had forced them to rethink their buying strategy but they still expected to take up to 15 yearlings back to Hong Kong.

All of those purchases would be colts with Mr Player saying mares and fillies were not popular because of Hong Kong's non-existent breeding industry and the fact colts and geldings adapted to the humid climate better and suited the sprint-style racing popular there.

"The Australian industry keeps turning out really high-class horses. It is now as international as anywhere in the world," he said.

Malaysian Golden Knight stable owner Richard Beh is also expected to splash his cash when sales kick off tomorrow.

He was inspecting horses with his Perth-based right-hand man Jo Byrne yesterday and is likely to spend about $1 million adding 13 to 16 horses to his stable.

Whether a surprise buyer will emerge Nathan Tinkler-style at this year's sales is anyone's guess.

"Well if they are, they are not showing themselves yet," said Mr Harvey.

Magic Millions managing director David Chester said 17 Hong Kong owners would arrive at the sales yard today on a state government organized tour. Who knows if one of them will emerge as the surprise cash splash of the sales.

Horseracing in China…

For those who want to know the latest buzz on horseracing in China - an article by Mark Godfrey in China International Business could be a good source.

Mark correctly predicts that with gambling still illegal in China, any racing institution would have to come up with an alternative to the traditional business model of trackside betting.

Using the Royal Nanjing Jockey Club as an example Mark explains how race courses in China should develop a membership system for the present while laying the groundwork for a full-fledged industry if the Chinese mainland gambling ban ever makes an exception for horse racing.

Read the full article…

Abu Dhabi launches horse racing festival

According to Middle East Online, after the resounding success of the Purebred Arabian horse flat-racing series held in Europe earlier this year when Zayed the First’s centenary year (1909-2009) was celebrated, the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage hosted the Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Flat Racing Festival for the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 22, 2009.

Read the full story...

The future of horse racing in the UAE

With the much publicised Dubai financial woes, ever wondered what the future of UAE horse racing will look like?

Well according to an article by Leslie Wilson Jr, and Aya Lowe of the Gulf News, that question was answered in emphatic style on Tuesday when representatives of the media were taken on a breath-taking tour of the iconic Meydan racecourse and hospitality facilities.

The flagship new racecourse will stage its first meeting in six weeks' time with the opening of the Dubai International Racing Carnival, but you could almost feel a buzz of excitement building as hundreds of workers were briskly putting the finishing touches to the magnificent Meydan Grandstand, which has the capacity to accommodate over 60,000 spirited racegoers.

It was a crisp, winter morning with the sun shimmering on the racecourse district which is spread over 67 million square feet and was the perfect start to an all-encompassing excursion of Dubai's newest sporting and business venture.

Media thanked

"We are thankful for the support and interest that the members of the media have shown us since the inception of Meydan and are therefore delighted to give them a first-ever glimpse of the magnificent facilities that will set the stage for the most exciting racing season leading up to the 15th Dubai World Cup next year," said Saeed Al Tayer, CEO of Meydan.

"The project is on track and we are as excited as you are to witness racing at this fantastic new venue."

Jaws dropped and onlookers exchanged superlatives by the dozen at the sight of the Meydan Grandstand, which is the world's largest at 1.6km long and features a spectacular, giant cantilevered crescent-shaped roof comprising solar and titanium panels that accentuate the structure's technologically advanced design.

One of the highlights of the Meydan Grandstand is the rooftop Bubble Lounge, which is a late addition to the design and can accommodate 4,500 people. Click here to read the full article...

Hermès and Gucci Press Equestrian Advantage

According to SUZY MENKES writing for The New York Times, it is not so much daggers at dawn but saddles and stirrups for the two luxury houses competing to promote their brands in the horse jumping world.

Read the full story...

Horse racing sponsorship increases despite downturn

According to an article By Terry Murden writing in “Scotland on Sunday”, a RISE in attendances at horse racing events is continuing to attract sponsors in spite of the squeeze on budgets.

Shirt maker Thomas Pink is among the firms that have returned to the sport, while others such as whisky distiller Glenfarclas claim the returns are sufficient to encourage them to continue their support.

A report to be published tomorrow, titled " Jump Racing Focus, Essentials Of The Sport For Investors 2009-2010", highlights the steps the sport is taking to maintain audiences and remain attractive to potential sponsors, in spite of the economic downturn.

Attendance figures indicate that it is achieving its goal with 5.2 million racegoers turning up to flat and national hunt meetings against 5.1 million last year, a rise of 2 per cent.Sponsorship was slightly down, from £10.6 million to £10.53m during the jump racing calendar, but this was seen as an encouraging level of support during tough economic times.Malt whisky producer Glenfarclas has lifted sales by 25 per cent in the past 12 months, mainly by sponsoring national hunt racing.

Read the full story...

Aqueduct bidders raise the opening stakes

Here is an article by Lisa Fogarty, editor of the Queens Chronicle on the latest bidding process for the Aqueduct Race Track.

Now that the dust has cleared from last week’s announcement by Wynn Resorts that it is backing out of the Aqueduct Race Track bidding process, its rivals for the prize have a message for Gov. David Paterson: anything Wynn can do, we can do better.

Immediately following the Las Vegas titan’s confirmation last Wednesday that it had pulled out of the deal to develop a 4,500 video lottery terminal racino at Aqueduct — a decision revealed just days after Paterson sent a letter to all the bidders, asking them to provide proof they can pay the state $200 million upfront — the Peebles and MGM Grand team issued a statement attesting to their strength as contenders.

“We have long believed that our proposal for the redevelopment of Aqueduct Raceway will provide the greatest return to the state, best benefit the community and is the most reliable option for all-around success,” a representative from Peebles said in a statement. Peebles’ pitch, which includes an upscale full-service hotel and business conference center, promises to provide the state approximately $17 billion in revenue and $5 billion for support of the horse racing industry over the initial 30 years.

Peebles also confirmed it would give the governor what he wants and offer $200 million right away. Each bidder had until Friday to respond to Paterson’s request for a greater initial bid. SL Green Realty, the largest landlord in Manhattan, with partner Hard Rock International, confirmed Tuesday they have raised their overall bid from $275 million to $300 million.
William Bissett, president of Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, confirmed this week his company submitted a letter to the state, certifying its ability to pay an upfront license fee of $200 million within 30 days of signing a memorandum of understanding with Albany.

“We remain confident that we are the best choice for the community and the state, and look forward to a decision in the near future,” Bissett said in a statement.

Aqueduct Entertainment Group, as well, communicated to Paterson it would pay at least $200 million immediately, without conditions or caveats.

“We also reiterated our commitment to the state that AEG will be open within six months of executing an MOU,” said Larry Woolf, chief executive officer of Navegante Group and AEG’s gaming operator. “Our promise will mean real revenue, jobs and economic opportunity from a development team that has proven time and again they are capable of delivering large-scale projects on time and on budget.”

The fifth bidder, Penn National Gaming, already offered the state $200 million upfront in its initial proposal. ©Queens Chronicle 2009

International Horse Racing Festival in Central China

From Xinhua News Agency. The seventh Wuhan international horse racing festival will be held in central China's Wuhan city in November this year, the local government said on Wednesday.

Equestrians from seven districts and countries, including Japan, Germany, Hong Kong and Macao of China, and 21 teams from Chinese mainland will attend this first-class horse race pageant of the country from November 6, said Zhou Yuan, deputy Secretary General of Wuhan Municipal government at a press conference.

During the three-day festival, six big horse races will be staged at Wuhan Orient Lucky City with the biggest race course in Chinese mainland.

As a sport event and entertainment, horse racing first thrived in Wuhan, capital city of Central China's Hubei Province in early 1900s, after foreign and Chinese businessmen built up the country's top three race courses in the city.

The sport was banned on the Chinese mainland in 1949. It reappeared in the early 1990s after national races were organized and jockey clubs set up in southern coastal cities.

Operated from 2003, the Orient Lucky City covers more than one million square meters and is currently the biggest horse breeding base in the country where 2,000 horses are raised. The race course seats 30,000 spectators. The previous six editions of the horse racing festivals in Wuhan attracted thousands of spectators.

Note: Richman’s Racing facilities at The Royal Nanjing Jockey Club in Nanjing (RNJC) is currently being developed on 72 million square feet of man made forest that serves as both an international and domestic eco tourism destination.

Once completed RNJC is expected to be China’s largest international standard horse racing facility in China - complete with stud farms, jocky training facilities, a comprehensive equestrian hospital etc.

Please direct all enquiries to Dr ASJ Johan by email to richmansracing@gmail.com

Is China now ready to Liberalize Public Betting on Horse Racing and Create a Domestic Billion Dollar Industry?

Wishful thinking or a real possibility? Well, according to the following article from a Mainland Chinese publication it certainly looks like change is in place for the return of Horse Racing in China.

If you find the English used in the following article a bit weird – it’s because it’s a Google automated translation from the original simplified Chinese text. But hey, try and look beyond the weird English and you might get the message.

We’ve done a brief summary of our take on the subject and it immediately follows the article...

Headline: Mainland "betting" the fastest-Ming Qiu lifting the ban
Dated 2009-9-17 (Translated through Google from Simplified Chinese)

“Mainland "betting" lifting the ban had been see the dawn of deregulation, according to authoritative sources told this newspaper exclusively revealed a few days ago the Ministry of Finance General Administration of Sports has played down the joint establishment of a national gambling company, intends to take over the future to open up the mainland Ma Cai industry management and marketing, and learn from Japan model from the Government on the implementation of the national race track listing management. Expected value of the horse race betting on the 100 billion industry in the2011Years ago, was officially launched, will stimulate China's tax increase.

PRC Tang was strong and Shenzhen on the 16th Electric

According to inside sources, the Chinese race has been this year, the Preparatory Committee8Earlier this month the establishment of a low-key, ChinaGuess Model RacingLottery market has entered a substantive operational phase, but is no longer "thunder." Horse racing betting system is currently in the Mainland software upgrade has been completed, while WuhanQuiz-type lottery ticketsPilot has fully been approved. Some industry people are optimistic and anticipate that the full lifting the ban on horse races next year9On the latest available at2011Years to achieve.

Abandoning the "Hong Kong model"

According to the sources on condition of anonymity said the General Administration of the Ministry of Finance set up a joint sports betting company, was formerly the Treasury Management Division of the Lottery to turn into a state-owned gaming company in the upgrading ofAs deputy departmental levelUnits, where the former Director Lou Qu fruit is expected to serve as first chairman.

The establishment of a national gaming company specializes in management of horse betting is different from the existing mainland by the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Civil Affairs, General Administration of Sport bull decentralized management system. Allegedly nineties of last century mainly as a draw in Guangzhou, Beijing to build its own racecourse loose managementHorse racing industry failedLesson, and second, a huge population of the mainland market, the horse from lifting the ban was a huge gambling taxes, centralized management by the central government operations are conducive to supplement the central government pulledGDPContribution rates, while effectively crack down on gambling huge amount of money currently in the MainlandThe Lottery.

Mainland, the horse after the legalization of gambling is not the draw after the famous Hong Kong model. Some observers refer to the Hong Kong Jockey Club management model does not apply to the Mainland and Japan will invest in rural areas the majority of horse-racing revenue building, more in line with the economic needs of the central macro-control is expected to Japan's national government management system or migrate to China. It is reported that in accordance with current lottery regulations, horse betting in the Mainland will be charged20%The tax is expected most of the money would be injected into new rural construction and the mainland urban and rural reform.

According to sources, this year8Earlier this month, by the State Sports General Administration and the Ministry of Finance take the lead, with the Hubei Provincial Government, Wuhan Municipal Government jointly organized by the Preparatory Committee for the establishment of the Chinese race to be fully planned cities in the Mainland Ma Cai and opening up the operation of experimental work.

Material20City open trial

At the same time, the State Ministry of Finance, General Administration of Sport approved the proposed plan to carry out major cities in the MainlandGuess Model RacingSports lottery. Some IT professionals have received news that the industry in the Mainland Ma Cai slice of a total of 20AMajor cities, including South China, Northeast, North, Northwest, East, Southwest and other six areas, eachDistrict clothBoard 3 Ma Cai pilot cities. Which has been great concern in southern China, the pilot cities will be "Whispering" Wuhan, Guangzhou, Changsha. The Wenchuan Earthquake badly damaged the economy of Chengdu, China Railway has five Bureau, more than 3 billion joint venture in Chengdu finance, construction, covers an area of 8000Acres of horse-racing track, to declare Guess Model Racing Sports lottery pilot cities.

According to reports, the mainland horse racing betting system software upgrade has been completed. Among them, the supporting facilities for all horse racing in Wuhan have been perfect, once the state of the "Horse Color" gate opening, you can immediately sell horses butt color.

According to sources, the newly established China this year, the Jockey Club or11On horse races at the speed of the Seventh Wuhan further "Test the water"The real sense of the horse lottery. Last year, the mainland's first commercial horse racing was held in Wuhan, has a direct introduction ofQuiz-type lottery tickets"TopQuaScraping, "Dui Jiang has been regarded as a prelude to Ma Cai gate opening."

Our take: First off it appears that China wants to adopt the Japanese Model rather than the one in place in either Hong Kong or Macau. So you could end up with both a National Governing body and local authorities overseeing the gaming components of horse racing in China.

We do not expect the Chinese Government to incur the heavy capital investment required and suddenly build race courses all over the country and manage racing and public betting. Instead we expect that the Chinese Government to deploy its infinite wisdom to tap into a huge pool of cash to be generated from its citizen’s love of gambling - without incurring large investments in hard assets.

So we expect that the Government will first establish a new Horse Racing and Betting Law (as vague as possible so it can be interpreted at will). The law will call for the actual race course development and hosting of horse racing to be outsourced to private so called legal person limited companies.

Examples of such would be Richman’s Racing’s China partner - The Royal Nanjing Jockey Club and a few others already licensed to build and manage race courses and non-gambling horse racing events. More companies could be authorized. The only difference from the present will be the ability of these companies to accept bets from the public.

The New Law will also provide that these authorized race course operators pay the Government a certain gambling tax from gross bet sales. Twenty percent (20%) is mentioned in the above article but it could well be more.

The Government will establish a method to effectively collect this tax and announce that the tax, which could amount to to hundreds of millions every week, will be deployed by both the central government and provincial governments to finance rural development and the eradication of poverty. It'll be politically correct and win – win for all. If propertly administered it'll be a great way to recycle domestic capital.

We expect the appointed companies to start investing in race courses in virtually all provincial capital cities - creating a huge demand for bloodstock, qualified jockeys and everthing else that goes with it.

That’s why Richman’s Racing have engaged a team of international racing experts to establish a comprehensive bloodstock importation program, breeding, equestrian hospitals and jockey training and certification facilities initially at our Royal Nanjing Jockey Club and later at other strategic locations in China.

For more information on business opportunities with Richman's Racing, please contact...

Dr A S Johan at richmansracing@gmail.com

Keeneland sells Champion Storm ‘N Indian’s First Foal to Dubai Ruler for US$2.05 Million

Keeneland Association, Inc. of Lexington, Kentucky is both a Thoroughbred Racetrack and an auction company. This year it has sold 115 horses for $33,807,000. Down 41.01% from the corresponding session in 2008 when 146 horses brought in $57,310,000. Average price for the session was $293,974, down 25.11 % from last year’s average of $392,534. However median price decreased by just $50,000 from $300,000 to $250,000.

According to a post on the Keeneland website, John Ferguson, representing Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, out dueled John Magnier of Coolmore Stud to purchase Storm ‘N Indian for $2.05 million - topping the Tuesday session of Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale.

The colt, from the last full crop of leading sire Storm Cat, is the first foal of the champion mare Fleet Indian. He was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, as agent for breeders Frank and Jane Lyon’s Summer Wind Farm. The Lyons purchased Fleet Indian, carrying this foal, privately from owner Paul Saylor after the mare failed to meet her reserve at Keeneland’s 2007 November Breeding Stock Sale.

“Fleet Indian was a champion and a star of a mare. He (the colt) is very athletic with a great pedigree,” Ferguson commented.

Duncan Taylor, President of Taylor Made, agreed with Ferguson’s assessment. “He’s a big, strong, sound colt; very correct and very athletic. Frank and Jane Lyon are good horse people who raise quality stock.”

Ferguson, also on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed, paid $1 million, co-second-highest price of the day, for a half-sister to champion and sire Vindication and Risen Star Stakes (G3) winner Scipion. Consigned by Stone Farm, agent, the filly is by Unbridled’s Song out of graded stakes winner Strawberry Reason, by Strawberry Road (AUS).

“She’s an outstanding individual, a real athlete,” Ferguson said. “She was raised at Stone Farm, which everyone knows is one of the greatest nurseries in America. She is a filly that has consistently throughout the year been exceptional.”

Ferguson, for Sheikh Mohammed, was leading buyer through the first two days of the sale, purchasing 31 yearlings for $13,460,000.

O’Byrne, as agent for Coolmore, went to $1 million to acquire a half-brother to recent Darley Debutante Stakes (G1) winner Mi Sueno. The colt, by A. P. Indy out of 2004 Ashland Stakes (G1) winner Madcap Escapade, was consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent.

“Based on appearance and pedigree, he was my favorite horse of this sale,” O’Byrne said, adding that the colt will race in the United States.

Keeneland sold 115 horses on Tuesday for gross sales of $33,807,000, down 41.01 percent from the corresponding session in 2008 when 146 horses brought $57,310,000. Average price for the session was $293,974, down 25.11 percent from last year’s $392,534. Median price decreased 16.67 percent from $300,000 to $250,000.

“The sale is a reflection of what’s going on in the world; every other market in the economy is down,” said Keeneland Director of Sales Geoffrey Russell.

“On the positive side, the results of these sessions may show the industry to be affordable, and encourage people to buy horses,” Russell added. “These prices, coupled with the benefits to horse owners under the new economic stimulus bill, may be the push some need to get involved in the industry.”

Cumulative gross sales for the first two days were $58,756,000, down 48.17 percent from last year’s $113,357,000. Average was down 29.96 percent from $377,857 to $264,667, while the median price of $215,000 declined 28.33 percent from the $300,000 posted in 2008.

Special Note: Richman’s IMC will soon be looking to purchase horses for its members in preparation of the start of horse racing at its racecourse in China. Contact The General Manager of Richman’s Racing at richmansracing@gmail.com for more information.

Stud Farms – A Smarter Investment than Betting

If you thought that the only way to make money from horse-racing was to win an outsider filled triple trio bet...think again. The real pros know just where the risk free dough is – Stud Farms.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, currently has 17 stallions standing at stud in Darley - a stone’s throw from Lexington International Airport. Previously known as Jonabell farms - after respected horse man John A. Bell III, it was renamed Darley after it was purchased in 2001 by the Sheikh.

Darley commands between $7,500 and $150,000 dollars for every successful deed and during the breeding season studs are working three times a day, with a goal of impregnating around 2,000 mares. That’s a pretty good return on investment, considering few of the stallions ran more than a dozen races in their entire careers.

If you think this is a great way to make money - consider this. The Richman’s IMC affiliate - Royal Nanjing Jockey Club (RNJC) in China will be requiring more than 4,000 horses to cover all of its planned races there. Owning bloodstock and in a stud farm at RNJC with exclusive rights to supply this demand is sure to be big business.

China has the world’s largest population of people known to love all forms of gaming. The fact that Macau has overtaken Las Vegas in gaming related turnover is proof that the Chinese love gambling and consider it an investment or business. Because of this attitudinal position, compulsive addiction to gambling and its resultant downside is much less of a problem among the Chinese when compared to others on a relative basis.

Furthermore, China is also the world’s fastest growing economy and is creating a record number of new millionaires and an affluent middle class of active shoppers. To find out more about stud farm investments, race sponsorship and race advertising opportunities in China’s email us at richmansracing@gmail.com