First horseracing meeting since 1949 for mainland China

The first commercial horse race in nearly 60 years is set to take place in mainland China this weekend (29-30 November).

Although horseracing and betting on races is legal and popular in Hong Kong, racing has been banned in mainland China since 1949 when the Communists won the Chinese Civil War.

Racing was stopped partly due to its colonial reputation as the sport was introduced to China by the British.

Horses will race for a total of $17,570 (£11,520) in four races — which will be a test run event in a newly built 30,000 seat track in Wuhan.

But betting will be limited with only non-cash prizes on offer.

Earlier this year it was reported by state news agency Xinhua that the Chinese government was thinking about legalising betting as it could potentially be an industry that creates 3 million jobs and generates 20 billion yuan in tax revenues a year

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