Month: August 2011

Classic Winners To Clash In Busan Owners’ Cup

The World Athletics Championships may be coming to an end in Daegu this weekend, but 90 kilometers down the Gyeongbu Expressway, two of the nation’s biggest track stars will face off in the Group 3 Busan Owners’ Trophy.

Dangdae Bulpae

Dangdae Bulpae has been the stand-out Stakes winning star of the past year with five Stakes victories including the Minister’s and Ttukseom Cups at Seoul. He’ll go into Sunday’s race as hot favourite but will face the two horses that finished ahead of him in last year’s Korean Derby, Cheonnyeon Daero and Triple Sinhwa.

In his last outing, in the Busan Metropolitan in July, Dangdae Bulpae got suckered into a speed duel with favourite Tough Win which left both horses exhausted and out of contention in the home straight. Jockey Jo SUng Gon will be under pressure not to allow that to happen again. Coincidentally, Cheonnyeon Daero benefitted in his Derby by favourite on the day Money Car suffering exactly the same fate as he took on sprint king Seonbongbulpae in the early stages of the race and wilted close to the line. Cheonnyeon Daero took the win and his gone on to become a top performer.

Cheonnyeon Daero wins the 2010 Derby (Pic: Ross Holburt)

However, he was second to Dangdae Bulpae in both the Ttukseom Cup and KNN Cup and few would bet against the same happening again.

Mupae Star, Khaosan, Isidae Gangja and Super Chocolate complete a field that is short on numbers but not on talent. If Khaosan can pull off the upset, it would be a first Stakes winner in Korea for trainer Peter Wolsley. Here’s a full list of runners (Name [Pedigree] Age, Sex, Weight to Carry (Starts/wins/2nds/3rds) – Jockey):

Busan Owners’ Cup (KOR.GIII) -Busan Race Park – 2000M – Sunday September 4, 16:15

1. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki-Indeed My Deed (Alydeed)] 4,C,60Kg (18/12/1/1) – Jo Sung Gon
2. Triple Sinhwa (KOR) [Capital Spending-Claudia’s Secret (Crafty Prospector)] 4,C,57Kg (17/6/6/0) – You Hyun Myung
3. Isidae Gangja (KOR) [Lost Mountain-Angel (Land Rush)] 5,G,55Kg (30/5/8/4) – Choi Si Dae
4. Mupae Star (KOR) [Didyme-Sun Glow (Cryptoclearance)] 5,H,60Kg (41/7/6/6) – Kim Dong Young
5. Cheonnyeon Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat-Doneitmyway (Northern Flagship)] 4,C,60Kg (24/7/11/3) – Park Geum Man
6. Khaosan (KOR) [Sunday Well-Mogaung (Jade Hunter)] 6,G,55Kg (29/6/7/7) – Kim Nam Sung
7. Super Chocolate (KOR) [Silent Warrior-Many Sweet Rewards (Snow Chief)] 4,G,54Kg (27/4/2/3) – Kim Tae Kyung

Toshio Uchida -The Most Popular Japanese Man In Korea – Bows Out

“Mr Pink” Lands A Double On Last Day In Korea

Toshio Uchida’s second stint in Korea ended in typical fashion as the Japanese jockey landed a pair of victories at Busan Race Park this afternoon. Uchida’s short-term Korean license expires on August 31 and the Korea Racing Authority (KRA) have decided not to renew it.

Going Home: Toshio Uchida(Pic: KRA)

Uchida, who will be 50 in October, is currently top of the 2011 Jockey Championship at Busan and since returning to Korea last autumn has ridden 69 winners from 384 mounts. It could be argued that he is the most popular Japanese man in Korea.

Taking together his two spells, Uchida rode 138 winners from 695 rides – a winning rate of 19.9%. His quinella strike rate was 32.8% and his place rate 46.3%. His biggest win came in this year’s KRA Cup Mile, the first leg of the Korean Triple Crown on Soseuldaemun (Meisei Opera).

So why not renew his license? In a statement, the KRA noted that racing fans here would be very disappointed with the decision. That is an understatement. “Mr. Pink” is so popular that when he made a rare appearance at Seoul, punters chanted his name and applauded him around the paddock – something absolutely unheard of in Korean racing.

Going on to explain, the KRA restated that the goal of their foreign jockey program was to expose local riders to a variety of different styles in the hope that it would be beneficial to them. With Uchida having been in Korea for a total of nearly two years and another Japanese rider Akane Yamamoto having just starting at the track, it was felt that the time was right to move in a different direction – indeed, Uchida’s replacement will be Australian Nathan Stanley.

Soseuldaemun and Toshio Uchida win the KRA Cup Mile (Picture: KRA)

However, this isn’t an explanation that all punters will buy. The program started around about the same time that the Busan track opened. Three Australians were brought over – Mark Newnham, Nathan Day and Garry Baker. Newnham and Day left quickly but Baker went on to become the top jockey at the track in its early days and, like Uchida, won the KRA Cup Mile. He stayed two years but on his departure said the words that have come to define the experience of foreign jockeys in Korea: “..you did get the feeling they didn’t particulary want you there.”

So it is today. It’s understandable, as their job is to protect themselves, but the local Jockey Union is extremely hostile to the idea of foreign riders coming across and “taking their money.” And Uchida certainly took a lot of it! However, this creates conditions that are very difficult for all but the thickest skinned rider to thrive in. Japanese jockeys have had the most success – the only non-Japanese to make a serious go of it have been Baker and South Africa’s Martin Wepner (who had his own license not renewed at the very last-minute) – perhaps due to the cultural aspects of a jockey’s job being similar. Given these barriers, it’s difficult to imagine what the KRA expects of a foreign jockey – be inspiring, but don’t win?

Uchida’s two wins today were both in his usual fashion. First up was Sarang Dream [Purge-Hurricane Warning] in race 3. What Uchida has which is rare among Korean jockeys is the ability to judge the pace of a race and this was apparent here as he manoeuvered Sarang Dream into position and then asked the colt for an effort at exactly the right time, not even needing to use his whip. Next was New Zealand bred Dangdae Champ [Falkirk-Soaring] who Uchida saw to a two-length victory in race 4.

In his final race in Korea, there was every chance of Uchida completing a hat-trick. However, after being sent off second-favourite in the second of co-feature races, Trademark [War Zone-Devil’s Dervish] had to be pulled up after suffering an injury. That race was won by Winning Perfect [Doyen-Miss Beauty] ridden by Jo Sung Gon. Jo is one of the nation’s most promising jockeys and one of those who stood to gain the most from competing with Uchida.

The reality is that only tuition from the likes of Kenny Michel, the excellent South African Jockey trainer who has been working in Korea for the past three years and is turning out some very impressive apprentices, can improve the technical ability of Korean riders. Uchida’s role was to take them out of their comfort zone. Next Friday, Jo Sung Gon is going to be very much back in his comfort zone.

* In other races at Busan, there was an eighth win in eight starts for three-year old US import Lion Santa [Lion Hearted-Santa Fe Strip]. Jockey Kim DOng Young left it until the very last moment but Lion Santa was far too good for a field that included 2008 Korean Derby winner Ebony Storm.

Up at Seoul, former Champion Filly and Mare Dongbang Rose [Volponi-Night Mary] returned to form in impressive style, taking the feature handicap.

Weekend Preview

Following on from last weekend’s beautiful weather, it’s been an even more beautiful week. Alas it’s predicted to be an unsettled weekend but we have at last been getting something resembling a summer. Racing is getting underway around about now at Busan so here’s what’s happening when and where this weekend:

Friday August 26

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday August 27

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:30
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday August 28

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:30 to 17:00

Creek Cat Holding On As Leading Sire But Menifee & Vicar Loom

With three of the four three-year old Classics out-of-the-way, last year’s Leading General Sire in Korea Creek Cat holds a narrow lead at the top of this year’s race.

Yeonseung Daero - Keeps Creek Cat on top (Pic: KRA)

Fellow established sire Exploit is just behind him but then come the newcomers Menifee and Vicar, who each have a Classic winner to their name this year in third and fourth.

With the top four separated by less than the value of a big Stakes win, there’s all to play for as we head into the autumn.

Gwangyajeil won the Derby for Vicar while Useung Touch, second in that race, won last week’s Oaks to put Menifee up into third spot. With the KRA Cup Mile having gone to Soseuldaemun by the relatively unknown Japanese bred sire Meisei Opera, it is Yeonseung Daero’s exploits in winning the Busan Metropolitan that gives Creek Cat his lead.

Gwangyajeil (Vicar) lead Useung Touch (Menifee) to the line in the Korean Derby

In terms of wins to starts, Vicar and Menifee are far and away superior to their more established counterparts – helped of course by having fewer starters – with figures of 23% and 18% respectively.

US bred sires still dominate with Japan’s Biwa Shinseiki, sire of multiple Stakes winner Dangdae Bulpae, the only non-American in the top ten. He is followed by Ireland’s Yehudi in eleventh who is having a successful second crop.

Here is a full list of the top ten as they stand right now:

2011 Leading General Sires in Korea – January 1 – August 25

Name – Earnings (Korean Won) (Runners/Winners – Starts/Wins) Winning % – Chief Earner

1. Creek Cat (USA) – 2,053,613,000 (55/25 – 285/35) 12.3% – Yeonseung Daero
2. Exploit (USA) – 1,980,696,000 (87/23 – 471-36) 7.6% – Singgeureounachim
3. Menifee (USA) – 1,938,579,000 (46/20 – 236/43) 18.2% – Useung Touch
4. Vicar (USA) – 1,828,161,000 (41/24 – 214/50) 23.4% – Gwangyajeil
5. Concept Win (USA) – 1,800,979,000 (75/24 – 395/42) 10.6% – Hongji
6. War Zone (USA) – 1,657,387,000 (69/22 – 392/33) 8.4% – Trade Mark
7. Volponi (USA) – 1,304,328,000 (63/22 – 336/26) 7.7% – Crown Flag
8. Didyme (USA) – 1,158,135 (54/16 – 275/23) 8.4% – Mupae Star
9. Ft. Stockton (USA) – 1,152,104,000 (70/20 – 371/25) 6.7% – Cheonun
10. Biwa Shinseiki (JPN) – 1,005,352 (36/11 – 175/19) 10.9% – Dangdae Bulpae

*$1 = 1087 Korean Won (Aug 25, 2011)
* Data is from the excellent Korean StudBook

With Menifee and Vicar looking set to be successful and with high expectations of new arrivals Ecton Park and Forest Camp – not to mention Officer – who will all be coming online on the next couple of years, things are looking up in terms of Korean breeding.

Untouchable! Useung Touch Romps The Oaks

She was second in the Derby and today, at Busan Race Park, Useung Touch went one better to win the 2011 Korean Oaks in dominating fashion.

Sent off at slightly better than evens, but starting right on the outside in gate 14, jockey Choi Si Dae sent Useung Touch out quickly and straight into an early lead. Challengers came and went, most noticeably Sen Girl in the back straight but, despite Choi having to battle for a time in the stretch to keep Useung Touch straight, it was clear the rest were only ever racing for second.

In the end it was second-favourite Amass who got closest to the winner meaning a one-two finish for Busan fillies. Outsider Choichoro, grabbing an unlikely third, was Seoul’s best finisher.

Useung Touch first came to attention when finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup at Seoul last November after starting the race as a 90/1 outsider. On the strength of that run she, along with the two colts who beat her that day, Sun Hero and Sun Blaze (both also by Menifee) went into April’s KRA Cup Classic – the first leg of the Korean Triple Crown – heavily fancied. They all disappointed.

The following month, however, Useung Touch headed to Seoul and the Korean Derby where she managed s superb second behind winner Gwangyajeil. With a class 2 win last month and now today, Useung Touch is already set to be crowned Korean bred filly of the year.

Oaks Winners: Useung Touch and Choi Si Dae

It’s a second Stakes win and first Korean Classic for her sire Menifee with his first set of foals reaching Classic age. With the Derby won by a Vicar colt (Gwangyajeil) and the likes of Ecton Park, Forest Camp and later Officer, to come on-line, we are seeing a changing of the guard in the stallion ranks that have for so long been dominated by the likes of Didyme, Revere and Creek Cat.

Korean Oaks (KOR.GII) – Busan Race Park – 1800M – August 21, 2011

1. Useung Touch (KOR) [Menifee-Jenny Tudor (Gulch)] – Choi Si Dae – 2.2, 1.4
2. Amass (KOR) [Jamine Langfuhr-Jideokjang (Didyme)] – Jo Sung Gon – 2.0
3. Choichoro (KOR) [Concept Win-Eunbiryeong (Mujaazif)] – Kim Dong Chul – 9.7

Distances: 5 lengths/2.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. HAengunui Mannam 5. Seungniuihamseong 6. Mustang Queen 7. Beauty Icheon 8. Sen Girl 9. Nicole Windsor 10. Allegrissimo 11. Cyclone 12. Flower 13. Gyeonghuimanse 14. Areumdaun Party

After the Korean Oaks was over with there was more Featured (although non-Stakes) action to come, in the shape of the Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy. Going into the race, which was for class 2 fillies and mares, the exciting US import Empire World (Empire Maker) was hot favourite to add to her previous four victories from five starts. It was not to be, however, as the only Korean bred filly in the race, Dongbangmiin took a narrow half-length victory over Queen of Rain with Empire World back in fourth.

Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy – Busan Race Park – 1800M – August 21, 2011

1. Dongbangmiin (KOR) [Yehudi-Pyeonghwaroun (Kingsview)] – You Hyun Myung – 5.8, 1.9
2. Queen Of Rain (USA) [Lion Heart-Prosperous Move (Arch)] – Jo Sung Gon – 1.5
3. Lovely Woman (AUS) [Lion Heart – Ayu Alight (Ali Royal)] – Akane Yamamoto – 2.8

Distances: 0.5 lengths/1.25 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Empire World (USA) 5. Tamna Taehu (USA) 6. Ganggong Alpha (JPN) 7. Lady Pres (USA) 8. Gayatansaeng (NZ) 9. Royale Embrace (USA)

In English, “Useung” means “Winning”. Useung Touch has now won five of her nine starts. She’ll almost certainly be back in Seoul for a rematch with Gwangyajeil in the Minister’s Cup – the final leg of the Triple Crown – in October. In this kind of form, there’s no reason why she can’t have the winning touch there too.

Yeonseung Daero Downed At Busan

Met Champion Beaten by Nuri Choegang / Wolsley’s Gyeongkwaehanjilju Scores

He might have beaten some of the biggest names in Korean racing to win the Busan Metropolitan last month but Yeonseung Daero was brought crashing back down to Earth in the second of co-feature races at Busan this afternoon.

Beaten today: Yeonseung Daero & Choi Si Dae

Having triumphed over Dongbanui Gangja, Tough Win and Dangdae Bulpae in the “Summer Grand Prix”, the five-year old Yeonseung Daero was sent off heavy favourite to win the nine-furlong handicap. However, it was US five-year old Nuri Choegang [Awesome Of Course-Jamie Love] who made all from gate to wire to claim victory with Yeonseung Daero trailing all the way and failing to make any in-roads into his lead in the final furlong, eventually going down by a length and a half.

To avoid the heavy weights he would be required to carry in Korean-bred only handicaps, Yeonseung Daero is always entered in Open races where he consistently faces tougher opposition resulting in him having a record of “just” 15 wins from 35 starts. Nevertheless, with a two-kilo weight advantage, few expected him to be beaten by Nuri Choegang, a horse recording his 9th career win.

Treble: Jo Sung Gon

Nuri Choegang completed a treble of winners for jockey Jo Sung Gon who made a small dent into Toshio Uchida’s lead at the top of the Jockey Championship – Mr. Pink himself scoring a double (Akane Yamamoto was also among the winners meaning Japanese jockeys accounted for three races on the day).

Jo took out both co-feature races by winning race 9 on four year-old grey Gyeongkwaehanjilju [Tapit-Cozzie Maxine]. The colt, trained by Australian Peter Wolsley was winning for the seventh time in his thirteen race career and for the first time at class 1. For trainer Wolsley, it was the 110th winner of his time in Korea.

Tomorrow, attention turns to Seoul before racing returns to Busan on Sunday for the track’s biggest race of the year, the 2011 Korean Oaks. Here’s what’s happening when and where for the rest of the weekend:

Saturday August 20

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:30
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:20

Sunday August 21

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:10
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:30 to 17:10 including the Korean Oaks at 16:15 and the Gold Circle Turf Club Trophy at 17:10.

Weekend Preview: Korean Oaks Weekend

Evening racing has finished for another year and we’re back to daytime starts and finishes as Busan hosts its biggest race of the season in the shape of the 2011 Korean Oaks on Sunday afternoon. The Oaks – full preview here – is the highlight of a busy weekend of racing at all three tracks with the Gold Circle Turf Club Trophy playing a supporting role also on Sunday. Here’s what’s happening where and when:

Friday August 19

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday August 20

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:30
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:20

Sunday August 21

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:10
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:30 to 17:10 including the Korean Oaks at 16:15 and the Gold Circle Turf Club Trophy at 17:10.

It’s Busan vs Seoul In 2011 Korean Oaks

Full Field For Fillies Classic

Eight fillies will travel down from Seoul to take on six of the Busan’s finest in the 2011 Korean Oaks at Busan Racecourse this Sunday.

Kim Ok Sung and Sen Girl won the Sports Seoul and will head Seoul's Oaks challenge this Sunday in Busan

After three years of failure, Seoul regained the Derby this year and will be confident about finding a winner to make it a double in the Ladies’ Classic.

Sen Girl won the Sports Seoul Oaks trial in June and is joined on the trip South by the three fillies who finished immediately behind her in that race: Mustang Queen, Allegrissimo and Seungniuihamseong. The fact that all four of the fillies have their regular jockeys travelling down with them, suggests that they are confident.

Useung Touch heads the field on her home track. A surprise third place in the Breeders’ Cup at Seoul last November, she returned to the capital to score another shock when she ran second to Gwangyajeil in the Korean Derby in May.

Useung Touch trails Gwangyajeil to the line in the Korean Derby

Areumdaun Party and Amass are also among the six strong contingent hoping to regain the Oaks for Busan which last year was won by 50/1 outsider Euro Fighter from Seoul.

It’s an open race, with a case to be made for almost all of the full-field of fourteen who will line up at Busan at 4:15pm on Sunday. The Oaks is race 5 of a 6 race card which begins at 12:30pm. The big race will also be screened live at Seoul Race Park where there is also a full program of racing.

Here is a full run down of the runners – Name, Pedigree, race records (Starts/1st,2nd,3rd), Jockey – All entrants are Korean-bred three-year old fillies and all will carry 55Kg:

Korean Oaks (KOR.GII) – Busan Race Park – 1800M – Sunday August 21, 2011 – 15:35

1. Nicole Windsor [Yehudi-Miss Windsor (Sanction)] (14/3/2/1) – Lee Joon Chel
Beat Sen Girl over 1700m in May and has gone close in useful company since. Chance of a place or even better if things go her way.

2. Allegrissimo [Bon Vivant-Corporate Romance-Corporate Report)] (8/2/3/1) – Moon Se Young
Third behind Sen Girl and Mustang Queen in the Sports Seoul Oaks trial at Seoul, the extra 100 metres could be in her favour. With Moon Se Young on board, she can’t be ignored.

3. Haengunui Mannam [Creek Cat-Clever Lil (Lil’s Lad)] (9/3/4/0) – Lim Sung Sil
Her wins have come at sprint distances-she’s never travelled further than a mile and didn’t impress at that distance. On form, she’s an outsider.

4. Choichoro [Concept Win-Eunbiryeong (Mujaazif)] (6/3/1/0) – Kim Dong Chul
Bang in form, winning her last three races at 1000m, 1200m and most recently 1700m, moving up in class each time. A wildcard who could cause problems.

5. Amass [Jamine Langfuhr-Jideokjang (Didyme)] (9/3/2/2) – Jo Sung Gon
Another who has recently come into form, Amass is one of the few fillies in the race who has won at the 1800m distance. Has twice been beaten by Areumdaun Party in the past, those were at lesser distances. Jockey Jo Sung Gon is also not to be taken lightly in any Stakes race.

6. Gyeonghuimanse [Creek Cat-Tamna Jeilbong (Lost Mountain)] (8/3/0/1) – Kim Cheol Ho
Won exceptionally smartly over the distance last time out, albeit at Seoul. A good place chance.

7. Seungniuihamseong [Vicar-Hug And Kiss (Commander In Chief)] (8/3/2/0) – Shin Hyoung Chul
Beat Allegrissimo when wining over the distance in May but was fourth in the Sports Seoul. Will need to improve if she is to reverse that result.

8. Mustang Queen [Concept Win-Arouser (Golden Missile)] (7/3/3/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho
Narrowly beaten in the Sports Seoul, she tries her luck at 1800m for the first time and, with Seoul’s Jockey Championship leader Cho Kyoung Ho in the saddle, she’ll be one of the favourites.

9. Beauty Icheon [Capital Spending-Painted Mountain (Mountain Cat)] (11/2/5/0) – Jo In Kwen
Coming into form at the right time with her two wins coming in her last three outings. Was a solid second in a tough race over the distance at Seoul last time out. May offer some place value.

10. Flower [Menifee-Fancy Cheeks (Jade Robbery)] (10/2/4/1) – Kim Dong Young
Untried at the distance she is therefore, despite her ten runs to date, still something of an unknown quantity. She ran second to Useung Touch last time out though and, unlike most fillies in the race, has already made it as far as class 2 and therefore deserves some respect.

11. Cyclone [Concept Win-Bakuachi (Debonair Roger)] (9/2/4/0) – Akane Yamamoto
Akane is in form but it would be a surprise if she picked up her first Korean Stakes win here. Cyclone has never gone further than a mile and disappointed on both her attempts at that distance. Nevertheless, if you bet jockeys, Akane is the one to be on at the moment.

12. Areumdaun Party [Menifee-Riverbrook (Montbrook)] (7/3/2/2) – Toshio Uchida
Toshio Uchida has already won one Classic this year on Soseuldaemun in the KRA Cup Mile and Mr Pink could grab a second here. Areumdaun Party won smartly over a mile last time out and showed enough to suggest the extra furlong won’t be a problem. One of the favourites.

13. Sen Girl [Strodes Creek-Badgering Shari (Badger Land)] (11/3/2/3) – Kim Ok Sung
Winning the Sports Seoul Oaks trial at Seoul automatically puts Sen Girl among the top picks here. Seemingly getting better with each run, she’ll be attempting 1800m for the first time and will have plenty of support in the betting.

14. Useung Touch [Menifee-Jenny Tudor (Gulch)] (8/4/2/1) – Choi Si Dae
Was a shock 90/1 third place in last year’s Breeders’ Cup and then ran Gwangyajeil close in the Korean Derby, also at long-odds. This time she’ll get the respect in the betting that she deserves and one her home track, could be favourite to walk off with the biggest prize.

Record Breaking Jockey Hitomi Miyashita Retires From Racing

Hitomi Holds All-Time Japanese Win Record for Female Jockeys / Won 2009 Invitational at Busan

Hitomi Miyashita, the Japanese jockey who won the 2009 Lady Jockey Invitational, went on to spend a successful eighteen months riding at Busan Racecourse before returning to Japan this April. In her homeland, Hitomi holds the record for number of wins by a female jockey.

Hitomi Miyahshita (centre) after winning the 2009 Lady Jockey Invitational at Busan

Although the news broke last week, thirty-four year old Hitomi held a press conference at Nagoya Racecourse on Tuesday August 16 to officially make the announcement. According to the Kyodo News Agency, Hitomi cited her win on Ima Firecracker in the 2009 Lady Jockey Invitational at Busan – the race that led to her coming to Korea full-time – as being the highlight of her career.

In her time in Korea, from 660 rides, Hitomi ride 55 winners and 66 seconds for a win strike rate of 8.3% and a quinella rate of 18.3% and a place rate of 29.5% and was very popular among racing fans on the peninsula. She made one appearance at Seoul Race Park in the Grand Prix Stakes in 2009.

Here is her win on Ima Firecracker in the International Lady Jockey Invitational in 2009:

The second half of her time in Busan was more difficult than the first (as we covered here), however, Hitomi’s achievements opened the way for her Japanese successor at Busan. Akane Yamamoto, another Nagoya alumni, joined in July and is settling in well, riding her second double this past Sunday. Akane has now ridden five winners already but still has some way to go if she is to emulate Hitomi.

(h/t’s to @IshidaKazushi and @ss0325JP

South Africa’s Aldo Domeyer Wins YTN Cup

Turkey’s Ahmet Celik Is 7th KRA International Jockey Challenge winner

Aldo Domeyer and Tango Step return victorious in the YTN Cup

South African Aldo Domeyer guided 21/1 shot Tango Step to victory in the YTN Cup at Seoul Race Park this evening. However, while Domeyer got the Stakes win glory, it is Turkish rider Ahmet Celik who heads home with the bigger check after securing overall victory in the two-race International Jockey Invitational.

Korean jockeys had very much the better of the draw for rides in the YTN Cup but it was one of those not involved in the challenge itself, Kim Hae Sun, who immediately set out for the lead on 5/1 Kkochyeoul. She may not have been taking part in the challenge, but she was out to secure some history and become the first Korean woman to win a Stakes race. It looked like it may happen too as Kkochyeoul remained in the lead until midway down the home straight. Almost last as they began the long turn for home, Domeyer and Tango Step began picking off the horses in front of them and, shifting onto the rail, hit the front with a furlong to go.

Once in the lead, the result was never in doubt and they raced away to record a two length victory from Kkochyeoul with 8/1 Fortunata in third under Shin Hyoung Chul. Tango Step was one of only two Korean bred entrants in the race. She moves onto six wins from fifteen starts. Domeyer returned to the unsaddling enclosure with arms in the air and shouting in celebration – a refreshing change from the poker-faced automaton-like response to a Stakes win that we are accustomed to here.

Ahmet Celik on the Winner's Podium

The next best placed international rider was Ahmet Celik, all the way back in eighth on Hwansanguimulgyeol, but with Celik having won the first leg of the challenge and Domeyer while Domeyer finished last, it was enough for the Turkish jockey to take overall victory. Korean riders filling places 3-7 meant that, for what it was worth, Korea took the team prize.

YTN Cup – International Jockey Invitational – Seoul Race Park – 1900M – August 14, 2011

1. Tango Step (KOR) [Jump Start – Jewell Dare (Woodman)] – Aldo Domeyer (Turkey) – 22.8, 5.5
2. Kkochyeoul (USA) [Essence Of Dubai – A Star Has Risen (Rock Band)] – Kim Hae Sun – 2.9
3. Fortunata (KOR) [Eurosilver – Eleanor’s Song (Seattle Song)] – Shin Hyoung Chul (Korea) – 2.6

Distances: 2.5 lengths/1.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Uigiyangyang (Choi Bum Hyun – Korea) 5. Burning Sky (Cho Kyoung Ho – Korea) 6. Blueband Mama (Park Tae Jong – Korea) 7. Imperial Girl (Oh Kyoung Hoan – Korea) 8. Hwansanguimulgyeol (Ahmet Celik – Turkey) 9. Silent Dashing (Jo In Kwen – Korea) 10. Sky Center (Rory Cleary – Ireland) 11. Pilseung Korea (Moon Jung Kyun) 12. Cheongalcheoreom (Dwayne Dunn – Australia) 13. Alpha Lady (Ronald Woodworth – Malaysia) 14. A Wanted Affair (Yoshihiro Furukawa – Japan)

Ace Galloper Prepares for an easy victory



After the Jockey Challenge there was a moment that Korean racing fans have been waiting a long time for as Baekgwang (The Groom Is Red) made his return to the track after an eighteen month layoff. It had been the grey’s third lengthy spell on the sidelines after previously undergoing stem-cell treatment on his troublesome knee. He was always going to be up against it today as taking him on was Ace Galloper (Chapel Royal) currently Seoul’s number one ranked Korean born horse.

Baekgwang Strolls back after finishing fifth

And it was a routine victory for Ace Galloper as he cruised to the front entering the home straight and effortlessly opened up an unassailable lead, crossing the line six lengths ahead of second placed Natural Guy. Baekgwang, who was kept well-placed throughout by Park Tae Jong, was unable to come up with his traditional closing burst of speed but still managed to finish in a creditable – and moneying – fifth place. Concerningly, he did seem to be slightly hobbling as he left the unsadddling enclosure. We know better than to write Baekgwang off though so hopefully it won’t be the last time we see him on the track.

Next week we return to a daytime schedule and it’s at Busan where the main action will be. Once more there is a South African connection with the Gold Circle Turf Club Trophy up for grabs, however, the main event is undoubtedly Sunday’s Korean Oaks. We’ll begin the build-up right here, very soon.

Australia's Dwayne Dunn watches the Prize-giving ceremony

Ireland's Rory Cleary

YTN showed their race live on their News Channel