INTERNATIONALISATION OF RACING

Major international races and carnivals in Japan exemplifies a major ARF jurisdiction Commingling is fundamental to the success Korea continues to diversify its industry from ARF jurisdictions draw competitors and fans which has achieved excellence in breeding of racing as it offers the opportunity for a one focused largely on wagering to one with from across the globe, driving international and racing, and has developed a dominant global fan base to wager on these major a growing breeding industry. Two decades engagement with the sport and promoting international presence. Due to Japan’s high- international events via a regulated channel ago, the KRA began investing in high-quality substantial direct and indirect economic quality breeding industry, proven training with a high value proposition for customers. international stallions, mainly from the United benefits for the hosts and their home methods and an appetite to take on the It is estimated that international commingling States, which it imported to stand at stud in countries. With around half of the world’s world’s best equine athletes, racing fans have accounts for around 15 to 20% of total Korea. By procuring top international stallions top 100 races held by ARF members, the enjoyed witnessing Japanese horses compete global turnover on racing and this number is to stand at stud in Korea at the turn of the region sets an extremely high standard for and triumph on the global stage. In 1998, anticipated to continue growing. Working to 21st century, the KRA laid the foundations international racing. Seeking the Pearl (USA) won the Prix Maurice unlock the potential of commingling, during for enhancing the quality and global de Gheest, the first European G1 race winner the Royal Ascot meeting in June 2019, the competitiveness of Korean racing. In March Top international racing events hosted by of a Japanese-trained horse. In 2014, Just a Hong Kong Jockey Club, in partnership with 2019, the Korean-based galloper Dolkong won ARF members, such as the World Way (Japan), who won the Dubai Duty Free in Ascot and Totepool, created the first pari- at the Listed Handicap in Dubai, and Cup, the Hong Kong International Races, 2014, earned a rating of 130 and became the mutuel-based World Pool in which overseas earned the ticket to participate in the Dubai the , The Championships in New first Japanese horse to be honoured as the wagering from Australia, Canada, New World Cup 2019. In November 2019, the first South Wales, and the Victorian Spring Racing Longines World’s Best Racehorse in a year. Zealand, Europe, the UK and the USA were Korea-trainer runner, Blue Chipper, came third Carnival offer some of the most attractive Between 2013 and 2019, Japan has had 253 commingled into Hong Kong’s pools directly in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (Grade 1). prize money in the world. In 2018, the Hong overseas runners for 23 Group One victories. or via Totepool to ensure maximum liquidity Kong International Races had prize money In 2019 alone, Japan had 50 overseas runners, for a growing international audience. Not only The ease of travel for participants and horses of US$12 million, the 2018 Japan Cup had a with eight winning Group One races in did it result in a significant turnover increase has enabled jockeys, trainers and horses from purse of US$5.8 million, and the 2018 Victorian Australia, Hong Kong, United Arab of Emirates of over 60% compared to the corresponding across ARF member jurisdictions to dominate Spring Racing Carnival had prize money and the United Kingdom. The capacity of day in 2018, it highlighted the benefits of in the international racing arena. For example, equaling US$59.2 million, spread over eleven Japanese-bred and trained horses to compete having a commingling hub with deep liquidity in 2019, the Japanese mare Deirdre made weeks, whilst in 2019, the successfully around the globe speaks volumes in the pool and advanced technology. history when she beat fierce international had prize money totaling US$12 million and for the quality of the world-class breeding and competition to win the Group 1 Nassau Stakes The Championships had total prizemoney of training standards in Japan. The internationalisation of racing also helps at Goodwood for trainer Mitsuru Hashida. approximately US$14.9 million. to boost the quality of the sport domestically. In recent times, the internationalsation of Through the promotion of events like the The internationalisation of the sport of horse Pitting the best against the best is the apex racing has been supported by enhanced Korea Cup, an international race established racing has been fundamental to its growth in for every major sport. It provides premium simulcasting of international races. This has in 2016, the Korea Racing Authority (KRA) ARF member jurisdictions in recent decades, sporting entertainment to a global fan base. It enabled our sport to reach and engage a larger has successfully advanced the international and will continue to play a central role in the drives excellence. Racing is no different. audience than ever before. renown of the Korean industry. long-term sustainability of the sport. Through a more globalised approach to racing,

28 ASIAN RACING FEDERATION JURISDICTIONS – AN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT IER PTY. LTD. 2018 Japan Cup. Image Credit: Japan Racing Association.

IER PTY. LTD. ASIAN RACING FEDERATION JURISDICTIONS – AN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 29