China, Singapore ink horse-racing deal

The Chinese mainland will take its first step toward hosting a thoroughbred race overseas via closer cooperation with Singapore, thanks to an ambitious joint venture.

Tianjin-based China Horse Club signed a memorandum of understanding on March 4 with the Singapore Turf Club, the island republic's only horse-racing club, to introduce the China Equine Culture Festival to Singapore in the second half of this year.

The festival will also promote Chinese culture and traditions through art, dance, music and fashion and culminate in a world-class thoroughbred race day, which will be held at the Singapore club's racecourse. The organizer claims this is the first thoroughbred race from the Chinese mainland ever held overseas.