Southwest China saw international racetrack action on Sunday as more than 60 thoroughbred horses competed in the Chengdu-Dubai International Cup.

Royston Ffrench drove the Al Raihe-trained Albayan through the 1,200-meter Wenjiang Sprint and then went home with the international cup.

Trainers Musabah Al Muhairi and Ali Rashid Al Raihe also bagged two wins each.

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The five-race program, held at the Jinma Racecourse in Chengdu's Wenjiang district, featured horses shipped from the United Arab Emirates to Chengdu, and saddled by licensed trainers from the Emirates Racing Authority.

All the jockeys that rode in Sunday's event were likewise imported from the UAE.

The Meydan Group, prime mover of the horse racing event, called it the China experiment, a milestone effort to introduce thoroughbred horse racing in China.

"This is an exciting strategic partnership that we have entered into to assist the Chinese authorities in developing the sport of thoroughbred racing," Meydan Group's CEO, Saeed Al Tayer, said prior to Sunday's event.

Horse trainer Doug Watson was impressed with Chengdu City's track facilities, saying they surpassed his expectations.

UAE-based jockey Royston Ffrench also thought highly of Chengdu's facilities.

"I have ridden around the world for 17 years and the facilities here compare very favourably with anything I've seen," he said.

Aside from the 2,200-meter Chengdu-Dubai International Cup, the thoroughbred horse racing event also featured a 1,600-meter Wenjiang Meydan Classic, a 1,200-meter Wenjiang Sprint and a 1,400-meter Giangsha Handicap.

Meydan Group partnered with Chengdu's municipal government, Wenjiang's district government, the China Guangsha Group and Chengdu Sports Bureau for the horse racing event.