“We currently have around 130 horses here in New Zealand, including about 20 in work and we are breeding from more than 50 mares each year,” he said. “We have a very good relationship with top trainers such as Baker-Forsman, Te Akau, Logan-Gibbs and Regal Farm.”
Once a dominant force at public auctions in New Zealand, Rider Horse has been less prevalent in recent years and have instead decided to concentrate on the breeding side of their operation in New Zealand.
“We now stand one stallion in Cambridge and maybe another one in the future, so we want to do the right job on the breeding side of our business,” Lang said.
“By keeping the capital flow, we could then have a healthy business model which allows us to have a sustainable development.”
In keeping with Rider Horse’s commitment to a sustainable business model, they have recently sold promising racehorses Mongolian Wolf and Mongolian Legend to Australia and Hong Kong respectively.
“Rider Horse Group sees the racing industry as a business, not just being a horse owner,” Lang said.
“To make it a successful business we need to buy good horses as well as sell good horses, so that we can keep it going. Selling good horses overseas is definitely part of our business model.”
Rider Horse is continuing to grow its business in China with a commitment to add to their two current race tracks and to also list on the local stock exchange, which Lang said is not too far away.
They have also recently had another shipment of New Zealand horses exported to Inner Mongolia, which comprised various breeds of horses.
“Rider Horse Group’s business in China does not only focus on thoroughbred races,” Lang said. “But also covers the equestrian side as well as other horse-related entertainment.
“In this shipment we had thoroughbreds, standardbreds, arabs, miniatures and even a big Clydesdale mare.”
Meanwhile, their interest in the next month will be focused on New Zealand in the lead-up to the Derby where they could line-up a second runner in the race.
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Mongolian Marshal looks a promising prospect of making the field after his brave runner-up performance on a rain-affected track at Pukekohe on Sunday.
“It was a strong finish, although he was beaten by a short-head,” Lang said. “This horse could definitely stay.
“We feel lucky to have two potential runners again this year. If both of the runners are in good form at the New Zealand Derby, I would love to send both of them to Australia for bigger challenges.”