MALAYSIA has emerged as a growing export market for Irish-bred racehorses and a buying party from the south-east Asian country is expected to make its presence felt at the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze Up Sale later this month.

Andrew ‘Frosty’ Kelly of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing was in Malaysia recently for a raceday at Selangor Turf Club which included races sponsored by ITM and Tattersalls Ireland. The Breeze Up Consignors Association also supported the trade mission.

Kelly said: “The Malaysians bought around 10 horses at the Fairyhouse breeze-up sale last year and three of them have won and a few more have been placed. We’re expecting five or six of the Selangor committee to travel to Ireland again for the breeze-up sale. They usually buy in the €10,000-€50,000 range.” Racing is Malaysia is in a healthy state, despite the sport ceasing in nearby Singapore two years ago.

Kelly said: “It seems very well-organised. I went around the yards, the whole complex, and it looks very professional. They race on turf and I was surprised to find an ease in the ground. They got a lot of thundery showers. So it suits Irish horses, generally speaking, and they are impressed with the horses they’ve bought in Ireland.

“It’s definitely a market we need to work on. They are very strict on equine welfare – every horse is trotted up before the vet after it races. And if there are any concerns they have to run in a trial before they can race again.” The Tattersalls Ireland Breeze Up Sale takes place on Friday, May 22nd, starting at 10am. Horses will breeze from 8.30am the day before.