The China Horse Club CECF Ordos Raceday was one to remember. Not only could it be the start of the biggest thing to happen to racing worldwide, but it was actually a spectacle on it own rivaling some of the better and more established events in world racing. Even though the horseracing itself was merely a showcase event, the actual event of the meeting was a spectacular success.

With sponsors the likes of Arqana, NZB, Inglis, Keeneland, Magic Millions, Australian Turf Club, and Goffs, UBS, Julius Bar and numerous Chinese TV networks, online broadcast partners and international horseracing marketing companies on the books this year, there is something to said for that list of sponsors on its own.

This showcase event of horseracing in Ordos, China consisted of four races with eight runners each. All trained by South African Jarred Coetzee, son of former Bloemfontein trainer Kevin. He is the retained China based trainer for the China Horse Club. Each horse, however, was owned by different groups of members of the China Horse Club itself. It made for a competitive day all round for the high profiled members.

The club, best described as a progressive forward thinking and ambitions select group of invited members consider their membership as a high value currency that will appreciate as the club develops and as horseracing in China develops. However it is not limited to horseracing investments only, with property and other investments available for the members.

One of the stand out features of the club are that the members are outstanding people, largely humble and charismatic like their Chairman, the delightful Mr Teo Ah Khing. He is indeed the pulse of this club.

The race day itself started off with aplomb as the South African jockey Daniel Muscutt, son of Peter Muscutt, rode home the fancied Lilly Pins (a mare by Pins). Without betting, the event still attracted a large crowd in the region of 25 000 and Muscutt played to their tune with a flamboyant salute to the cheering fans. Even though the runners had limited preparation time, they seemed to fairly fit and ran well.

The main event of the day was won by Hales, an Australian bred son of Haradasun (same sire as the Group 1 winning SAF Bred Harry's Son). The R 2 million stake was enough cause for the jockey's to ride hard but fair and the Russian Myrzabek Kappushev found the winning formula.

The evening was finished off with a post race after party which took place outdoors on the apron of the grandstand, a Mongolian barbecue and local entertainment was of offer for the VIP guests in attendance.

The highlight of the evenings entertainment was the nearly 10 minute spectacular fireworks display. Awe inspiring like the China Horse Club itself, it left a sweet taste to savior on the way home for the locals. It was also a taste of more to come as horseracing is set to take off in China and the world is watching with anticipation.