The Inner Mongolia Hohhot Horseracing Series kicked off at Aowei Racecourse in Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia, China, Sunday, May 21.
The series will take place each Sunday through mid-September, with total prize money on offer of RMB10 million (£1.14 million/US$1.42 million). For the first time, the Chinese Equestrian Association has approved the holding of the Chinese Horseracing Points Race during the series using a points system similar to Formula 1 racing.
According to An Zhiqiang, chairman of the Hohhot Equestrian Association and Chairman of Inner Mongolia Mengjun Horse Industry, the express goal of the series is “localizing high-end horses and actively establishing and introducing domestic an internationally renowned events.”
According to Mr An, the final raceday of the season will offer prize money of RMB3 million, with a single race worth RMB1 million restricted imported horses. The best jockey of the series will receive RMB200,000, the best trainer 300,000 and leading owner 500,000.
Mr An is one of the first Chinese owners purchasing horses out of Europe and is the biggest buyer of American-bred horses in Mainland China. His Qian Cheng Si Jin (Brody's Cause) was a winner on Sunday's program.
Hohhot is the only city in China with four racecourses, including Mengjun Racecourse, home base of Mr An, City Racecourse and Huhtala Racecourse.
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