Thoroughbred Breeders Australia's Chinese Internship a Resounding Success

Media Release - Sunday November 26
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia's first Chinese internship program will come to an end on Monday.

The group enjoy the wonderful hospitality at Widden Stud. A group of eight interns spent the past two weeks in the Hunter Valley, where they visited many of the region's leading farms; including Widden Stud, Coolmore, Yarraman Park, Newgate and Darley.

In addition to visiting farms in the region, the group have been receiving lectures from leaders in areas such as veterinary science, farriery, nutrition and equine reproduction.

TBA and the marketing body for the Australian breeding industry, Aushorse, developed the program to help build the skills of those working in the growing thoroughbred sector in China

"I've been visiting China regularly for three years and I was frequently told by the major owners up there that they wanted their staff to have the opportunity to learn from the world's best," said TBA and Aushorse chief executive, Tom Reilly.

"In response to that, TBA and Aushorse put in place a program that really gave the interns the opportunity to see how the Hunter farms operate and learn from the leaders in our industry. It's been a great couple of weeks and the feedback from those on the program is that they've learnt a huge amount."

The program is part of a broader move to work with the Chinese industry to assist its growth. In the past year Aushorse has also supported the travel of veterinarians and a farrier to China to provide workshops for staff in the Asian powerhouse.

Yearling inspections at Vinery Stud. Among those taking part on the internship were farm supervisors, veterinarians and breeding managers. All the costs of the course and the interns' travel were met by Aushorse.

"Everything in Australia is done with such care and skill, everything is so organised. To see this was a big education," said vet student Lu Bingqiu, who is also assistant manager to the President of Tian Ci Sheng Quan Equestrian Club, a racing stable based in Beijing.
"I will return to China with so much more knowledge that I didn't have before."

Ms Xin Xin, who works in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, as a manager for the global racing and breeding operation China Horse Club, said: "For me the most beneficial part of this internship has been the practical part. To see exactly how things are done every day on an Australian farm.

"From the care for the mares and the stallions right through to the matings – the professionalism is so important.

"At the organisation where I work we started a breeding program (in China) only this year, so I have seen how much more experience we need to have."

The interns pictured with their completion certificates at Scone TAFE.Australia's trade with China has grown significantly in the last five years. In 2013 there 106 thoroughbreds shipped to China, while this number soared to 261 last year.

The program lasted two weeks and also included a visit to the races in Sydney. The group received their completion certificates at Scone TAFE, where they been receiving lectures, on Friday.

Mr Reilly added: "Australia has a great relationship with the major players in the Chinese thoroughbred industry and I'm sure programs like this will continue to deepen the ties between our countries.

"I'd like to thank all the farms who have gone out of their way to make the interns so welcome."

TBA Release

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch - Belmont
Racing made a welcome return to Belmont Park yesterday and the first winner to salute on the freshly renovated track was a two year-old that started a red hot favourite and could not have been more impressive!
Another G1 Triumph for Aga Khan Stud Bred Gelding
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who made it back to back G1 wins overnight when beating a select field in a tactical battle to win the Group I King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1m4f) at Ascot.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 24
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Farnan Draws Level with Ole Kirk on 13 Winners
There’s a good battle going to decide the leading first season sire by Australian winners and with just seven days of the season to run Farnan is laying down the gauntlet to the long time division leader Ole Kirk.
Two New SW's for Too Darn Hot
Too Darn Hot is set to be crowned Champion Australian Second Season Sire and is headed back to Darley Australia this spring at a fee of $275,000 and overnight he produced two new stakes-winners in the UK and Ireland.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.