Youyu's racing industry gallops ahead

In May, retired Irish horse trainer Tom Taaffe, renowned as both a jockey and a trainer, praised the season's events during a local media interview. "This is my fourth visit to Yulong racecourse. It's an honor to be invited to this event, and this year, the audience is larger, and the atmosphere is better than ever," he said. Taaffe hopes for more collaborative opportunities with the local industry, drawing greater attention to China's horse racing sector.

Feng Changhui, a horse owner from Hebei province, entered the thoroughbred field at the nascent stage of China's horse racing industry. Leveraging her language skills, she connects with Australian equine resources, fostering Sino-Australian industry exchanges.

She said Youyu's mature event system creates a complete industry loop, allowing horses to increase their value through competition, breeding, and trading.

Feng highlighted the rapid evolution of China's horse racing industry — from a lack of regular events to a comprehensive industry framework, and from a strong reliance on imported horses to the emergence of locally bred champions.

In 2018, Taiyuan University of Technology in Shanxi and Shanxi Yulong Horse Industry Development Co jointly established the Yulong International Horse Racing Academy, aligning education with industry needs to train jockeys, trainers, and event managers.

Yang Wenkai, a 22-year-old student from Taiyuan University of Technology, is currently interning at the racecourse.

Despite initial family opposition to his chosen career path due to the niche nature of the field, his systematic academic learning and practical experience have solidified his choice. He plans to pursue further studies and immerse himself in the horse industry.

During the racing season, tourists from around the world flock to the area to spectate.

"Watch horse races, tour the Great Wall, and learn the spirit of Youyu" has become a popular cultural and tourism route, significantly boosting local accommodation occupancy and sales of specialty agricultural products.

Statistics show that the horse racing industry attracts nearly 300,000 visitors annually to the area, creating over 1,000 indirect jobs and generating about 400 million yuan in related consumer revenue.

Mei Lihong, a member of the Youyu county Party committee, said that Youyu will continue to enhance its horse racing brand, increasing its professional and international levels to expand its influence.

By leveraging horse racing as a signature brand, they aim to empower the cultural tourism, wellness, and leisure industries, contributing to the county's high-quality development.

Jing Ziyan contributed to this story.