China is likely to become a dominant player in the thoroughbred racing industry within a decade.

Plans are in place for the first race meeting to be held this year on the 20th of September, with the running of the $US 1 million Tianjin National Cup.

An auction, initially of 80 horses, is planned with the horses being prepared in Australia and transported out to Tianjin, the fourth most populated city in China with 14.5 million residents.

Former C E O of the Melbourne Racing Club, Warren Brown, has been appointed as Chief Development Officer.