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(Last updated: 6 Nov 2008)
Trends and opportunities
The market
The development of programs and functions geared to the improvement of breeding Philippine horses is tasked to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
Thoroughbred horse racing in the Philippines, in turn, is conducted under the rules and regulations promulgated by the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom). The Manila Jockey Club (MJCI) and the Philippine Racing Club (PRCI) are the two clubs licensed to operate a race track and to conduct horse races in the country. Racing is conducted on a weekly basis everyday except Mondays. Betting can be done on-track and off-track through betting stations.
There are four registered associations of horse owners in the country namely Klub Don Juan de Manila (KDJM), Metropolitan Race Horse Association (MARHO), Philippine Thoroughbred Organisation (PHILTOBO) and Samahan ng mga Horseowners sa Pilipinas (SHOP). The first three are active in the market.
Philracom estimates that there are currently around 1200 breeding mares/fillies in the country and a disproportionately high number of stallions (around 70). The total number of registered runners is 2,127, with around 1,800 running in the two clubs (MJCI and PRCI).
In 2007, the local horse racing industry reported betting sales of more than A$267 million. It recorded a 1.1 per cent increase compared with the previous year’s industry gross sales of A$264 million. The government’s share in terms of direct taxes alone amounted to about A$42 million.
The growth of the industry according to the Philracom is attributed to a number of factors, foremost of which was the strengthening of the public’s trust and confidence in the fair conduct of the sport. This were made possible through the implementation of a series of programs and policy initiatives such as professionalising and upgrading the standard of race officiating and sponsorship of stakes and special race events.
Private clubs
The PRCI has acquired a 147-hectare property in Trece Martires, Cavite (south of Metro Manila) for the future site of the Santa Ana Race track. Currently the property is undergoing site development and transfer of the races from Sta Ana to Cavite will be happening next year.
The MJCI, meanwhile, has been operating on its new location of 77 hectares in Carmona, Cavite since 2003. They have around 1200 stables and occupancy of about 90 per cent.
Both racing clubs operate during the racing season, from January to December. They maintain their own trainers, jockeys and are supported by horse owners and industry associations.
Equestrian
The Philippine Equestrian Federation is the governing body for the sport of equestrian in the Philippines. It is a private sports organisation, recognised as the National Sport Association for equestrian.
With the Philippines considered as one of the sport’s heavyweights in the South East Asia region, equestrian is still a minority compared to the horse racing sector. There are about 70 horses and 30-40 riders. Two riding schools in Manila include the Manila Polo Club and Los Tamaraws Riding School.
An average of 8-10 equestrian horses are imported annually with the majority coming from Australia and some from USA and France. Riders are conscious of where the horses are bought and who trained them. They usually buy from two trainers who are active in the Philippines.
Equestrian riders and trainers purchase their feeds, supplements and tack from local distributors and order catalogues. They also buy vitamins and tack when they travel to the USA, Malaysia and Australia.
Polo
Polo is also a small sector of the horse industry. There is no polo association but the group is composed of 30 active players.
Like in race horsing and equestrian, most of the 60 polo horses in the Philippines come from Australia. Feed and medicine are mainly locally sourced, but tack is purchased from travels in the USA and Australia.
Games are played at the Manila Polo Club, Ayala Alabang Country Club, Los Tamaraos Riding School, and at Inigo Zobel’s farm, Hacienda Bigaa.
Opportunities
Opportunity areas in the Philippines equine industry include:
- Livestock export of thoroughbred horses for breeding and racing
- Training and education
- Stock feeds, including feed ingredients and pre-mixes
- Tropical pastures
- Racing equipment
- Veterinary products and supplements for rehydration, de-worming, re-energising, anti-spasms, anaesthetic, and other vitamins and injectables
Livestock
In 2007, there were 2,127 registered race horses with Philracom – 10 per cent of which were imported. Of the imported horses, 80 per cent or 170 come from Australia, and the 20 per cent is shared between USA and New Zealand. The industry is expected to grow at 15 per cent per annum for the next two years.
In 2006, 237 horses were estimated to be imported by the industry from Australia, but in 2007, because of the equine influenza outbreak, Australia was only able to export some 40 horses. The BAI banned horses from Australia from August 2007 and it was in December 2007 when they lifted it. Importation resumed in January 2008. Australia is still a preferred supplier because of the cheaper freight costs.
Broodmares are most attractive to Filipino buyers as their eventual off-springs are automatically classified as local-breds or island born, which can later be sold at attractive prices compared to other local stock. Prices preferred by buyers for broodmare, fillies and mares range from A$2,000–A$10,000. A few purchases range from A$30,000–A$50,000. Buyers usually purchase through attending auctions abroad.
Feeds, supplements and veterinary products
Feeds, medicine, supplements, are available through the channels of local distributors, feed millers, and veterinary clinics. It is not a centralised system where the racing clubs purchase on behalf of its members. In some cases, there are horse owners who import for their own stables. There are also those who bring home some of their supplies from overseas travel.
Stock feeds not available in the country such as whole oats, lucerne and chaff have good potential depending on competitiveness in price and quality; although the key is having tropically adapted product.
Veterinary products are sought after with the majority of products coming from Australia, USA and Canada. The common products in the market are for rehydration, deworming, re-energising, iron supplement, antispasms, anaesthetic, and other vitamins and injectibles.
Tack and equipment
Tack, such as bit, rein, saddle, bridle, whip, horse boots, gloves, riding boots, bandages and grooming products can be purchased in local tack shops and veterinary clinics who import from Australia and USA. However, due to the limited selection available, horse owners also order from saddlery catalogues or bring home supplies from overseas travel.
Training and services
Opportunities exist for stewards, training trainers, and farriers from Australia to conduct training in the Philippines under a program to be sponsored by Philracom, the two clubs or private owners. |