The horse industry in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is experiencing a strong development momentum, with 2026 poised to be a pivotal year for its advancement.
At the forefront of Xinjiang’s horse industry is the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture. In 2025, the prefecture allocated 8 million yuan in special funds to support the industry’s growth, resulting in a total horse population of 521,800, representing half of Xinjiang’s total and one-seventh of the national total. The comprehensive output value of the horse industry in the prefecture has exceeded 4 billion yuan.
The potential for development in Xinjiang’s horse industry is equally impressive. According to the latest data from the Xinjiang horse industry association, the total output value of the industry in Xinjiang reached 16.95 billion yuan in 2025, surpassing the annual target of 14 billion yuan and setting a historic record. Notably, the value of horse racing events saw a remarkable 232.54% year-on-year increase.
Furthermore, the industry’s structure has undergone significant optimization, with the tertiary industry’s proportion rising from 18% to over 30%. The integration of culture and tourism has also yielded increasingly prominent results.
The government report of Ili Prefecture, released in January 2026, outlines the ambition to propel Ili’s horse industry to the top spot nationwide in terms of scale within the year.
Zhaosu County, renowned as the “Hometown of Chinese Heavenly Horses,” has witnessed comprehensive development in the horse industry, spanning breeding, events, medical care, trading, equestrian performances, and cultural tourism.
The rapid expansion of the horse industry vividly reflects Xinjiang’s commitment and advancement in the new year. As demonstrated in the opening program of the 2026 Xinjiang Radio and Television Spring Festival Gala, the pace and vigor of Xinjiang’s development are in full force. Beneath the Tianshan Mountains, thousands of horses are galloping towards the shared goal of establishing Xinjiang as a leading force in the national horse industry through the force of industrialization.
