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Under the gaze of his national flag and with a pumping fist, star Chinese jockey Qin Yong emphatically announced the arrival of China’s thoroughbred racing industry onto an international stage.

Saturday’s win was the first for a Chinese jockey in Barbados since racing began on the island nation back in 1845 and the moment was not lost on the international media present or on the sea of onlookers. The charismatic Qin Yong was greeted by roaring applause as he returned to scale in front of Barbadian Prime Minster Freundel Stuart, leading international racehorse owners including Derrick Smith and Alan Ramsey, international jockeys Mario Pino (USA) and Patrick Husbands (Canada) and a raucous audience that packed the grandstand, was swelling in the infield and which crowded every possibly vantage point around the entire circuit.

Qin Yong’s win on Jonn Three-Sixteen in The Green Monkey Trophy (1100m) may, in time, be seen as a watershed moment for China’s emerging thoroughbred racing industry. The popularity in China of sports such as basketball, tennis and soccer have been heavily influenced by the success of local stars on the international stage. And while much has to be achieved before any comparisons can be considered with champions Yao Ming or Li Na, yesterday’s result ensured the possibility of Chinese jockeys competing successfully around the world on international racing circuits can no longer be considered a pipedream.

The 27-year-old Qin Yong and his good friend and fellow jockey Chen Li, 26, are part of a new generation of Chinese who aspire to not only succeed in their chosen disciplines locally, but internationally, before bringing their talents back to China.

“I could never have imagined yesterday could become a reality, even after being selected to be a part of the CHC China Dream Project,” said a beaming Qin Yong.

“Our generation is lucky. I have grown up at a time when my family has been able to provide better for me than the previous generation, when there are more opportunities. In my case, that opportunity is the horse racing industry which is growing in China. With the support of the Barbados Turf Club, the China Horse Club, our families and trainers like Xavier [Blanche] and Jonathan [Simpson] Chen Li and I have been able to do something very special.

“I woke up today and it still feels like a dream. I spoke to my wife Yu Lin last night and she was shocked. My family also has a Wechat group and my mum posted the news to all of her friends. That is very special to receive this kind of support from everyone.”

Qin Yong first gained national prominence in Erdos last year when delivering Hubei Province its first gold medals in the 62 year history of the Chinese Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities. The native of San Jiao Zhuang village in Xianfeng County (100km south-west of Enshi City) was imperious in securing two gold medals and two silver medals for Hubei ensuring the province was crowned the champion team for equestrian disciplines for the first time. The Games, which attracted 6240 athletes across 17 different disciplines, were attended by President Xi Jinping and are only held every four years.

Qin Yong and Chen Li are in Barbados for the 2016 season as part of an initiative called the CHC China Dream Project which delivers international opportunities to talented young men and women from the thoroughbred racing industry. The program was launched last September at CECF Wuhan by the China Horse Club in front of Deputy Wuhan Mayor Liu Yingzi, Director of Wuhan Sports Bureau Wang Shenshun, Chairman of the Wuhan Equestrian Association and President of the Wuhan Business Univerity Li Zuoqing, Orient Lucky Club Group CEO Hu Yue Gao, International Federation of Horseracing Authorities President Louis Romanet, Sheikh Fahad Al Thani of Qatar Racing, Founder of Glenn Family Foundation Sir Owen Glenn and Coolmore Australia’s Tom Magnier. In time, more inductees and more countries will be added to the program.

“From the time I first heard about the CHC China Dream Project I knew it was not going to be easy to ride in international races. I knew it was going to take a lot of dedication to be successful,” said fellow jockey Chen Li.

“When I was going to the races yesterday I was very proud. Regardless of the result I knew I was going to be riding in international races and that Qin Yong and I are pioneers. We hope we can help encourage other Chinese people to chase their dreams. Emotionally and psychologically young people must always be prepared to chase their dreams.”

The China Dream Project may be an initiative of the China Horse Club but the success of the program in Barbados has been heavily reliant on the Barbados Turf Club and a number of island’s most prominent people.

“The club’s Chairman Sir David Seale, CEO Rosette Peirce, Richard Seale and Sir Charles Williams are among many who have worked tirelessly over several months to ensure Qin Yong and Chen Li were able to be in Barbados and to excel on this stage and our club is very thankful for their continued efforts and energy,” said Eden Harrington, China Horse Club Vice President and Head (Partnerships/Membership).

“Lady Seale, Sir Charles Williams and leading trainers Jonathan Simpson, Victor Cheeseman and Xavier Blanche committed to supporting both riders having never met them before and having never seen them ride and that support is not forgotten.

“This support and the knowledge we have of Barbados through our partners John Magnier and Derrick Smith helped provide us with the confidence that Barbados was an appropriate centre for Chinese jockeys to begin their international careers and, hopefully in time, launch onto the world stage.”

Professor Jia, Chairman of CHIA, Barbados Turf Club Chairman Sir David Seale and Barbados Turf Club CEO Rosette Peirce were among the first to offer their congratulations on the early success of a program which has distinct long term implications not only for the industry in China but for relations between China and international communities. “We are delighted to see the quality of the Chinese riders - Qin Yong rode a well-judged race and was a deserved winner. The CHC can be proud of the contribution they have made to the sport,” said Sir David.

Ms Peirce, was equally as jubilant. “I'm simply elated,” she said. “The only result better than this would be to have had Chen Li score as well. It was heartwarming and satisfying to hear to cheers from the crowd as [Qin Yong] was being lead back after winning the race. Many of us are beginning to appreciate the considerable potential their presence has for both the Barbados and Chinese industries.”