Huge Irish racehorse purchase marks leap into Chinese market
Chinese tycoon Zhang Yuesheng has bought and had transported 76 thoroughbred horses to Beijing, marking the largest ever single export of Irish racing bloodstock to China and a huge leap into the Chinese market for Ireland. Historically, 90% of thoroughbreds imported to China have come from Australia or New Zealand.
A thoroughbred horse being transported to a Boeing 747 cargo plane from Shannon airport, as seventy six thoroughbred horses have been flown to Beijing in the largest ever single export of Irish racing bloodstock to China

The animals transported in the three million euro airlift have all been purchased by Chinese tycoon Zhang Yuesheng.

The transaction has been hailed as a major leap into the lucrative Chinese market. To date, over 90 per cent of thoroughbreds imported into China are sourced from Australia and New Zealand.

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The horses were bought from Irish breeders on behalf of Mr Yuesheng by Kildare-based bloodstock agency BBA Ireland.

They were flown from Shannon airport with a team of professional flying grooms and a vet, with 30 handlers on the ground involved in the three-hour process of loading the animals at Shannon.

On arrival, the horses were transported to stables where they will go into training in China before debuting in Chinese races.