Author: gyongmaman

Gwangyajeil Wins The Korean Derby

Vicar Colt Ends Soseuldaemun’s Triple Crown Hopes

Gwangyajeil is the winner of the 2011 Korean Derby. The pre-race favourite overcame the valiant effort of filly Useung Touch to claim the second leg of the Korean Triple Crown by two and a half lengths.

Oh Kyoung Hoan and Gwangyajeil in the Derby Winner's Circle

In what was the most open looking Derby field for years, Gwangyajeil was sent off the very slight 4/1 favourite ahead of Singgereounachim and Double Light. As expected though, it was the Busan based filly Useung Touch who set the early pace and got to the first corner in the lead. KRA Cup Mile winner Soseuldaemun, rated as a 6/1 chance, ran into trouble right away and found himself at the back of the field as they rounded the first corner. However, Toshio Uchida on board, Soseuldaemun caused a stir in the back stretch as he joined fellow Busan challenger World Winner in coming right around the outside of the field to join the front-runners. Gwangyajeil and Oh Kyoung Hoan meanwhile sat safely in the middle of the pack.

Gwangyajeil leads Useung Touch to the line in the Korean Derby

Rounding the final corner, Useung Touch still had the lead while Uchida found himself four wide on Soseuldaemun. Now it was time to strike for Gwangyajeil. Shifting to the outside at the top of the stretch, he went past Soseuldaemun as if he wasn’t there. Shoot In and Double Light similarly saw their challenge collapse. The battling Useung Touch was the last to succumb but once Gwangyajeil had her collared with a furlong to go, there was to be only one winner. The filly held on for second from the fast finishing Singgereounachim and outsider Champion Belt.

Soseuldaemun – who had lost 26 kilos since his KRA Cup Mile win – finished in seventh, once place behind Double Light. Well-fancied Geuma Champ was a disappoiting thirteenth while bringing up the rear was 2010 Champion juvenile Sun Hero, who played up in the paddock before the race and is looking increasingly difficult to control.

Oh Kyoung Hoan doesn't have to do this every day

Gwangyajeil [Vicar – Hurricane Havoc (Jade Robbery)] now has a record of five wins from his seven starts. Vicar, whose foals had long been popular with Korean buyers at American sales, was imported to Korea in December 2006. Gwangyajeil’ s triumph means that he has a Classic winner among his first crop of foals to reach the racetrack. As for jockey Oh Kyoung Hoan, while he did win the Grand Prix Stakes in 2004, this will surely go down as his biggest victory to date. For trainer Lim Bong Chun it is by far and away his biggest success.

It is also a welcome victory for Seoul. The capital city hosts the Derby but hasn’t provided a winner of it since the race was opened up to competition from Busan in 2008. Could the tables be turning at last> We’ll find out when this crop of three-year olds re-convenes back at Seoul in October for the Minister’s Cup, the final leg of the Triple Crown. With Soseuldaemun’s defeat, a Triple Crown won’t be on the line, but plenty else will be.

Korean Derby (KOR.G1) – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – May 15, 2011

1. Gwangyajeil (KOR) [Vicar – Hurricane Havoc (Jade Robbery)] – Oh Kyoung Hoan – 4.4, 1.9
2. Useung Touch (KOR) [Menifee – Jenny Tudor (Gulch)] – Choi Si Dae – 3.0
3. Singgereounachim (KOR) [Exploit – Singgereoun (Mr. Adorable)] – Jo In Kwen – 2.0

Distances: 2.5 lengths/0.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Champion Belt 5. Daeseung Yegam 6. Double Light 7. Soseuldaemun 8. World Winner 9. Yeongung Icheon 10. Prime Galloper 11. Shoot In 12. Choeonji Horyeong 13. Geuma Champ 14. Sun Hero

* Down at Busan today, names from Derby’s past were present. 2010 winner Cheonnyeon Daero faced 2009 runner-up Namdo Jeap in the first of co-feature events but they were both upstaged by Joe Murphy trained Udeumji, who beat them into the minor placings in a tight finish.

In the second co-feature, Yeonseung Daero, fifth in Sangseung Ilro’s 2009 Derby, scored the fourteenth victory of his illustrious career with yet another victory over foreign bred opposition. This time, he got the better of Daldeongi and track stalwart Crafty Louis by a neck on the line.

If Gwangyajeil goes on to have the same sort of career as Cheonnyeon Daero, Yeonseung Daero or even Namdo Jeap, he’ll be quite a horse.

Not this year: Toshio Uchida and Soseuldaemun won't be winning the Triple Crown

Soseuldaemun Faces Tough Task In Open Derby

Korean Derby 2011: Final Preview

It’s Derby Day and this race is anybody’s. Soseuldaemun comes to Seoul on Sunday to attempt to win the second leg of the 2011 Triple Crown in the 14th Korean Derby. He’ll have thirteen out to stop him.

The Seoul Racecourse paddock is ready for the 14th Korean Derby

Does a competitive field mean we have a weak crop of three-year olds this year? We’ll decide that at the end of the season, for now we can savour the prospect of a genuinely unpredictable race. It’s going to be a gorgeous day – albeit slightly breezy – and there’s sure to be a massive crowd in attendance.

Here’s the final run-down of the runners, pedigrees, race records, riders and a comment on their chances:

Korean Derby (KOR.GI) – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – May 15, 2011 – 16:35

1. Shoot In [Exploit – Doneitmyway (Northern Flagship)] – (5/3/2/0) – Shin Hyoung Chul
Half-brother of last year’s winner Cheonnyeon Daero, he was a late entrant and is improving all the time. Won’t be among the favourites but could spring a surprise after taking the lead early on.

2. Singgereounachim [Exploit – Singgereoun (Mr. Adorable)] (9/3/1/2) – Jo In Kwen
Won so easily last time out that there’es surely more to come. A strong chance.

3. Useung Touch [Menifee – Jenny Tudor (Gulch)] (Filly) (6/3/1/1) – Choi Si Dae
An unknown quantity at this distance, the filly will be at long-odds. She’ll start quickly and is the fastest horse in the race, but will she stay?

4. Sun Hero [Menifee – Strategic Reward (Bold Revenue)] (9/4/2/1) – Moon Se Young
Last year’s champion juvenile is proving tough to handle in races at three and a dreadful performance in the Cup Mile makes him hard to recommend for anything more than an outside chance at a place.

5. World Winner [Yankee Victor – Wakired (Red Ransom)] (11/2/3/2) – Jo Sung Gon (Busan)
Although untried at the distance, it shouldn’t be a problem but despite winning his last two, has shown nothing to suggest he’s capable of he massive improvement required to win here.

6. Soseuldaemun [Meisei Opera – This Ole Way (Vigors)] (10/3/3/1) – Toshio Uchida (Busan)
The KRA Cup Mile winner and on-course for the Triple Crown. He will be well-fancied and with Uchida on board, cannot be discounted.

7. Yeongung Icheon [Concept Win – Saratogasplash (Wild Again)] (9/3/2/1) – Park Tae Jong
Jockey Park has won the Derby twice before but it would be a major surprise if he added another here.

8. Champion Belt [Exploit – Telegraph Road (Royal Academy)] (6/2/2/2) – Lim Sung Sil (Busan)
An intriguing late entry, his dam also produced the very talented Blue Pin and Northern Ace, and his two recent wins suggests plenty more to come. Could be worth an each-way bet at decent odds.

9. Daeseung Yegam [Silent Warrior – Tolp’ung-Yegam (Land Rush)] (10/3/1/1) – Kim Myoung Sin (Busan)
Too inconsistent to recommend here. Will be one of the outsiders.

10. Cheonji Horyeong [Buster’s Daydream – Sorority Jazz (Dixieland Band)] (9/2/3/1) – Chae Gyu Jun (Busan)
Half-brother to 2008 winner Ebony Storm and fourth in the Cup Mile, many believe there is plenty more to come from Cheonji Horyeong. Should be there or thereabouts.

11. Geuma Champ [Vicar – Stormcloudrising (Stormy Atlantic)] (7/2/3/1) – Jung Ki Yong
A month ago it was Geuma Who? But an impressive second behind Super Rich last month has put him right into contention. Has looked fantastic in trackwork and will have a lot of backers.

12. Double Light [Menifee – Iruda (Glorify)] (8/3/3/1) – Cho Kyoung Ho
All around the most complete looking horse. Second in the Cup Mile, he will most likely be the favourite.

13. Gwangyajeil [Vicar – Hurricane Havoc (Jade Robbery)] (6/4/0/0) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
An impressive winner of his last two starts, if he’s on form, he has every chance

14. Prime Galloper [Strodes Creek – Apple G (Carson City)] (7/3/4/0) – Hwang Soon Do
Some decent performances behind him but nothing to suggest he can beat some of the better known names. An outsider.

So, who’s it going to be? This is a very open race so there is plenty of scope for betting. Gyongmaman will be losing a little bit of money on likely outsiders Champion Belt and Useung Touch. While he’ll be watching to see if any of Double Light, Soseuldaemun, Gwangyajeil or Geuma Champ offer any unexpected value, he will be sure to have a win bet on Singgeureounachim.

Sunday May 15

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:05 (including the 2011 Korean Derby at 16:35)
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:30 to 17:00

Wide Boy Choi Back On The Rails In JRA

Choi Bum Hyun and Baekhomujeok win the JRA Trophy

Barring late misfortune befalling another, Choi Bum Hyun won’t be riding in the Korean Derby tomorrow. He won’t mind too much, however, after landing the Japan Racing Association (JRA) Trophy on 20/1 outsider Baekhomujeok at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Baekhomujeok in the JRA Trophy Winner's Circle

Choi is often maligned by some sections of the Gwacheon punting colony for his habit of going wide around the field to win. Today though, he and the three-year old Baekhomujeok were on the rail all the way as, after always being well-place, they came through to overhaul long time leader Kkochyeoul in the last 100 metres to grab a half-length win. Mass Media’s Tea was a further length back in third, the first three having spent the whole of the race at the front of the field.

Choi Bum Hyun was a winner today

Baekhomujeok (Sharp Humor) was imported to Korea as a two-year old last year (his original name was Late Night Comic) and has now won four of his six starts. Pre-race favourite Ppoppai finished a disappointing fourth after running wide on the final turn. This time, it wasn’t a Choi Bum Hyun ridden favourite who was going wide. Instead for all his faults, Choi was winning his twelfth Stakes race in the last four years.

Today was the twentieth running of the JRA Trophy – and in a rather odd move, the KRA opted to mark the occasion by having “Arirang”, the most Korean of Korean folk songs, played as the visiting JRA representatives presented the prizes.

Blooming Great: Jo In Kwen lands the feature handicap on Blooming

In other races, 2010 Korean Oaks winner Euro Fighter was sent off at 30/1 in the feature class 2 handicap. Given that she hadn’t won since that day at Busan last Summer, it was a fair call by bettors. She didn’t win, but put in a very creditable performance to finish two lengths behind the five-year old winner Blooming, who landed another big race win for Jo In Kwen.

Jo gets his first crack at The Derby tomorrow. We’ll have our final preview a little bit later on.

JRA Trophy – Seoul Race Park – 1200M – May 14, 2011

1. Baekhomujeok (USA) [Sharp Humor – Lip Gloss (Lit De Justice) – Choi Bum Hyun – 23.3, 4.5
2. Kkocchyeoul (USA) [Essence Of Dubai – A Star Has Risen (Rock Band)] – Jung Pyeong Soo – 3.4
3. Mass Media’s Tea (USA) [Mass Media – Tea Pot Joy (Joyeax Danseur)] – Moon Se Young – 1.7

Distances: 0.5 lengths/1 length
Also Ran: 4. Ppoppai 5. Celebrate Tonight 6. Imperial Girl 7. Magic Party 8. Bichui Jeonsa 9. Fortunata 10. Es Four 11. Dream Heart

The Japanese flag flies at Gwacheon today - the KRA opted to play "Arirang" during the JRA Trophy Winner's Ceremony

Derby Saturday Preview: The JRA Trophy

This could turn out to be a very Japanese weekend. This afternoon at Busan Race Park, jockey Toshio Uchida was victorious in five of the nine races on the card, including a seven-length triumph in the feature race on Mupae Star.

Toshio Uchida - Five Timer today

On Sunday, Uchida will be at Seoul to ride Soseuldaemun in the Korean Derby. Soseuldaemun, by the Japanese sire Meisei Opera, won the KRA Cup Mile, the first leg of the Triple Crown at Busan last month and, while the Derby will be a very different prospect, few would fancy betting against Uchida to pull it off.

While the Derby is on Sunday, Saturday has its own feature in the form of the twentieth running of the Japan Racing Association (JRA) Trophy at Seoul Race Park.

Open to class 2 foreign-bred horses, the race attracts a mixture of young up and comers as well as those who have never quite made it to the big time. There’s no Japanese bred runners in the race – there’s not that many in Korea in fact – but it is nevertheless an intriguing race.

It’s the younger ones who’ll be fancied. Such is life. Celebrate Tonight has won three of his six starts and should find the six furlongs perfect. Baekhomujeok, Ppoppai, Mass Media’s Tea and Magic Party are also three-year olds with impressive strike rates. Of the older horses, Fortunata may have the best shot. Here is a full list of the runners with pedigree, sex, age, race records and riders:

JRA Trophy – Seoul Race Park – 1200M – May 14, 2011 – 16:30

1. Fortunata (USA) [Eurosilver] F 4 (15/2/1/3) – Cho Kyoung Ho
2. Celebrate Tonight (USA) [Songandaprayer] C 3 (6/3/1/1) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
3. Es Four (USA) [Smarty Jones] C 3 (6/3/0/0) – Jung Ki Yong
4. Baekhomujeok (USA) [Sharp Humor] C 3 (5/3/1/0) – Choi Bum Hyun
5. Bichui Jeonsa (USA) [Thunder Gulch] H 5 (29/1/1/6) – Jun Duck Yong
6. Magic Party (KOR) [Artie Schiller] F 3 (8/5/1/0) – Jang Chu Youl
7. Imperial Girl (USA) [Imperialism] F 3 (10/2/0/3) – Jo In Kwen
8. Dream Heart (USA) [Dream Run] G 5 (35/0/4/7) – Lee Keum Joo
9. Kkochyeol (USA) [Essence Of Dubai] F 3 (8/1/5/0) – Jung Pyeong Soo
10. Mass Media’s Tea (USA) [Mass Media] C 3 (6/3/1/0) – Moon Se Young
11. Ppoppai (USA) [Rockport Harbor] C 3 (7/4/0/1) – Park Tae Jong

We’ll be back tomorrow with a review of the JRA and a final look forward to Sunday’s Korean Derby.

It’s set to be a beautiful weekend in Seoul. Come Racing!

Saturday May 14

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 17: 40 (JRA Trophy at 16:30)
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:30 to 18:00

Sunday May 15

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:05 (Korean Derby at 16:35)
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:30 to 17:00

Weekend Preview: The Derby

Soseuldaemun travels to Seoul to to attempt to secure the second leg of the 2011 Triple Crown as he takes on a full field in the Korean Derby at Seoul Race Park this Sunday.

Soseuldaemun and Toshio Uchida Head The Derby Field (Picture: KRA)

The KRA Cup Mile winner is one of six challengers heading north from Busan to take on the best the capital has to offer.

While starting as an outsider in the Cup Mile, he’ll be among the favourites as he bids to come one race closer to emulating the great J.S. Hold in sweeping the Triple Crown.

Here is the full list of runners, pedigrees, race records and riders:

Korean Derby (KOR.GI) – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – May 15, 2011 – 16:35

1. Shoot In [Exploit – Doneitmyway (Northern Flagship)] – (5/3/2/0) – Shin Hyoung Chul
2. Singgereounachim [Exploit – Singgereoun (Mr. Adorable)] (9/3/1/2) – Jo In Kwen
3. Useung Touch [Menifee – Jenny Tudor (Gulch)] (Filly) (6/3/1/1) – Choi Si Dae
4. Sun Hero [Menifee – Strategic Reward (Bold Revenue)] (9/4/2/1) – Moon Se Young
5. World Winner [Yankee Victor – Wakired (Red Ransom)] (11/2/3/2) – Jo Sung Gon (Busan)
6. Soseuldaemun [Meisei Opera – This Ole Way (Vigors)] (10/3/3/1) – Toshio Uchida (Busan)
7. Yeongung Icheon [Concept Win – Saratogasplash (Wild Again)] (9/3/2/1) – Park Tae Jong
8. Champion Belt [Exploit – Telegraph Road (Royal Academy)] (6/2/2/2) – Lim Sung Sil (Busan)
9. Daeseung Yegam [Silent Warrior – Tolp’ung-Yegam (Land Rush)] (10/3/1/1) – Kim Myoung Sin (Busan)
10. Cheonji Horyeong [Buster’s Daydream – Sorority Jazz (Dixieland Band)] (9/2/3/1) – Chae Gyu Jun (Busan)
11. Geuma Champ [Vicar – Stormcloudrising (Stormy Atlantic)] (7/2/3/1) – Jung Ki Yong
12. Double Light [Menifee – Iruda (Glorify)] (8/3/3/1) – Cho Kyoung Ho
13. Gwangyajeil [Vicar – Hurricane Havoc (Jade Robbery)] (6/4/0/0) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
14. Prime Galloper [Strodes Creek – Apple G (Carson City)] (7/3/4/0) – Hwang Soon Do

We’ll have a final run-down of all the challengers and their chances, along with predictions, on the blog on Saturday evening.

Saturday sees the JRA Trophy at Seoul – full run down of runners and riders tomorrow – while on Sunday at Busan, last year’s Derby winner Cheonnyeon Daero is in action.

Here’s what’s happening when and where this weekend:

Friday May 13

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

Saturday May 14

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 17: 40 (JRA Trophy at 16:30)
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:30 to 18:00

Sunday May 15

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:05 (Korean Derby at 16:35)
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:30 to 17:00

Korean Derby – All The Winners So Far…

2011 Sees Fourteenth Running of Korean Classic

The Derby is a relatively recent addition to the Korean racing year. Except for an enforced stoppage during the Korean War, racing has been running on the peninsula continuously since the 1920’s, however, the calendar as we know it today only really started to take shape in the 1980’s. The Ilgan Sports Cup and the Grand Prix started things off with both being run for the first time in 1985.

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

The introduction of the private ownership of race-horses – and therefore prize money – accelerated the creation of big Stakes races in the 1990s and finally in 1998, the Derby was run for the first time. In 2007, the Korean Triple Crown Series with inaugurated with the Ttukseom Cup, Derby and Minister’s Cup making up the three Classic races. Indeed, in that first year, J.S. Hold took the lot. The following year, the KRA Cup Mile at Busan replaced the Ttukseom Cup as the first jewel in the crown and, while Sangseung Ilro won the first two legs in 2009, no horse has since swept all three.

In the thirteen editions run so far, eight colts and five fillies have taken the prize which for its first three years was run over just seven furlongs before moving up to its current nine in 2001. Since horses from Busan became eligible for the Derby in 2008, they have won it three times in a row and in Soseuldaemun, winner of the KRA Cup Mile, they have one of this year’s favourites.

Here are those winners with pedigree and jockey:

2010: Cheonnyeon Daero [Creek Cat – Doneitmyway (Northern Flagship)] – Park Geum Man – Money Car, winner of the KRA Cup Mile was sent off the favourite but got sucked into a speed duel with the sprinter Seonbongbulpae in the early stages. Still, the favourite had a considerable lead entering the final furlong. He was spent though, and Cheonnyeon Daero, a 30/1 shot, chased him down and caught him on the line. Money Car was never the same again and only ran once more. Cheonnyeon Daero went on to finish second in the Minister’s Cup – the final leg of the Triple Crown – and is in good form this year. In fact, 30 minutes before this year’s Derby gets underway at Seoul, he’ll be running in the feature race at Busan.

2009: Sangseung Ilro [Concept Win – Ms. Whiskey (Whiskey Wisdom)] – Jo Sung Gon
– The filly, a shock winner of the KRA Cup Mile a month earlier made it two in a row for Busan. She couldn’t maintain her form over the whole year, however, and went down to a shock defeat in the Oaks in August before returning for a creditable third in the Minister’s Cup, the third and final leg of the Triple Crown in October. She was retired from racing in January 2011 and has been bred to Menifee.

2008: Ebony Storm [Buster’s Daydream – Sorority Jazz (Dixieland Band)] – Shim Seung Tae – Two years ago was the first time that Busan’s best three-year olds were invited up to Seoul to contest the Derby and it was one of those visitors, Ebony Storm, the longest shot on the board, who took victory in a monsoon downpour. Ebony Storm is still running as a six-year old, specialising in distances of up to a mile.

2007: J.S. Hold [Ft. Stockton – Hwangsangjiljoo (Passetreul)] – Moon Jung Kyun – Widely considered the best Korean bred horse ever. J.S. Hold landed the inaugural Triple Crown injuring himself in the final race and not returning to the track. He retired with nine wins from ten starts.

2006: Baengnokjeong [Slew O’Green – Lesu Run (Proper Reality)] – Hwang Soon Do – The rank outsider at over 80-1 on Derby day, Baengnokjeong was at the time, the longest priced horse to win the Derby.

2005: Saebyeok Dongja [Fiercely – Cheongpa (The Rodgers Four)] – Chun Chang Ki – Raced on at the top-level for three more years and his jockey Chun Chang Ki became a trainer after a battle against cancer.

2004: Mupae Gangja [Didyme – A Heun A Hop Kan (Kinsky)] – Kim Hyo Seob – One of the top colts of this decade, Mupae Gangja won ten of his sixteen races including the Chairman’s Trophy and Minister’s Cup along with the Derby in 2004.

2003: Habidongju [Silent Warrior – Kahwa (Zoffany)] – Park Tae Jong – The last filly to win until Sangseung Ilro in 2009.

2002: Haeam Janggun [Didyme – Ronde (Toast The Champ)] – Lim Dae Gyu – Ronde foaled her second Derby winner in as many years with this filly who won eight of her fourteen races and gave the late Lim Dae Gyu a Derby victory.

2001: Haetpit Maeul [Mujaazif – Ronde (Toast The Champ)] – Ji Ha Ju – Starting a run of three consecutive years of filly triumphs was Haetpit Maeul. Now a broodmare with some success.

2000: Haekdol’pung [Lost Mountain – Swift Diplomacy (Nice Pirate)] – Park Tae Jong – Korea’s most successful ever jockey got his second straight Derby win on the favourite. It was tight though, with Haekdol’pung getting the verdict in a three-way photograph.

1999: Manseokkkeun [Fiercely – Komplication (Kris. S)] – Park Tae Jong – Yes, he really did have three consecutive ‘k’s in his name. Park Tae Jong got the first of his three Derby winners on the colt whose sire, Fiercely, died in 2009.

1998: Useung Yegam [Happy Jazz Band – Man Jang Dae()] – Song Seok Hen – Nine of the 14 runners in the first Derby were fillies and the favourite Useung Yegam, whose dam wasn’t even in the studbook, took the honours by a length.

* For more videos see Fallight’s YouTube page. This post is a slightly updated version of the one posted in correspondong Derby build-ups over the past two years.

Aussie Trainer Peter Wolsley Saddles 100th Korean Winner

While jockey Jo In Kwen reached 100 winners in the saddle yesterday, at Busan last Friday it was one of those doing the saddling who reached the same milestone.

Peter Wolsley (Pic: Herald Media)

Peter Wolsley became Korea’s first ever foreign trainer when he was granted a license at the end of 2007. On Friday afternoon, Wolsley’s three-year old colt King Austin grabbed a two-length win in race 7 to give the Australian his 100th Korean victory. He didn’t have to wait very long for his 101st either as his Saeroun Taeyang scored in the feature event of the afternoon two races later.

Fittingly, King Austin (Yehudi) is owned by Isidore Farm, the Jeju Island institution that has been, along with fellow foreign influenced Jeju outfit Pegasus, Wolsley’s biggest supporter. The 48-year-old has 33 horses under his care, including seven who compete at class 1, the elite level of Korean racing. It hasn’t always been this way.

On arrival in Korea from his previous posting in Dubai, Wolsley was assigned the “breakdown barn” at Busan Race Park. In common with the majority of foreign jockeys who come to ride here, he got the horses no-one else wanted. It didn’t make for a very rewarding start to his time here but the trainer stuck at it and gradually started grinding out some modest successes. Others began to take note and eventually he started to receive some better horses.

The Numbers Don't Lie: Wolsley is arguably the track's top trainer right now

Perhaps the turning point came in late 2008. Wolsley had been pushing for pacifiers (mesh eye-protectors used to prevent sand getting in the eyes of the horse) to be allowed to be fitted during races – a cause also taken up by his countryman, steward, Brett Wright – and in October of that year, they were finally approved by the KRA. The next month, his mare Gyeongcheonsa became the first racehorse in Korea to run with them and she flew home at odds of 19/1. One race later, his colt Khaosan, also decked out in pacifiers and starting at similarly attractive odds, came from last to second in the home straight.

How would the local trainers respond? To their credit, instead of trying to get them banned again, the majority realised that Wolsley knew what he was talking about and started using them with horses who hated the vicious kickback that is inevitable on the sand track. Now pacifiers, which are compulsory in some jurisdictions which race on sand, are commonplace – both Mister Park, Korea’s current best horse, and Tough Win, the second best, always wear them in their races. More and better horses started to arrive in Wolsley’s barn and winners swiftly followed.

Wolsley's Protege Park Geum Man in the Derby Winner's Circle

Wolsley has also acted as mentor, specifically to jockey Park Geum Man who was his stable jockey for two years. In that time, Park developed into one of Busan’s – and Korea’s – most tactically aware and skilful jockeys. Wolsley told the Korea Herald last year that Park’s victory on Cheonnyeon Daero in the Korean Derby in 2010 – albeit for a different trainer – is his proudest moment in Korea so far.

Wolsley and Park have now gone their separate ways and Kim Nam Sung is the latest jockey to benefit from Wolsley’s guidance.

With 100 wins in the bank there remains one more challenge for Peter Wolsley. He still needs to become the first foreign trainer to saddle a Stakes winner. He has no horse on the Triple Crown trail this year but, now he’s established as one of the track’s top trainers, it can only be a matter of time.

Peter Wolsley is an example of the KRA’s internationalization plan working. Many trainers around the world will have won more races and far more money. But few can genuinely claim to have come to a place and actually made racing better. That is what he has done.

A Tale Of Two Sisters

Plum Pretty is America’s Champion Three-Year old filly, but her older half-sister helps beginners learn how to ride at an Equestrian Club in Korea.

Korean racing fans were a little bemused to watch Plum Pretty bravely hang on in the final furlong at Churchill Downs on Friday to win the Kentucky Oaks. For Plum Pretty (Medaglia D’Oro) is the fourth foal out of a dam called Liszy. And in 2006, Liszy (A.P. Indy) gave birth to a filly by More Than Ready (Southern Halo).

In December the following year, that filly would go through the Fasig-Tipton Midatlantic December Mixed sale and, at a knock-down price, be purchased by a Korean buyer. A month later, in January 2008, she arrived for her new life in Korea.

The filly was bought by Kumak Farm and was named Taeyangui Mabeopsa – or “Magic of the Sun.” She was sent to Seoul Race Park and the barn of trainer Kim Myung Guk. Although not especially impressive in trials, by September of that year she was considered ready to race and made her debut in race 2 on the 28th of that month.

Ridden by Choi Bum Hyun, she was sent off at 35/1 and ran to expectations finishing seventh of twelve over five furlongs. That would set the standard for her next couple of outings and on her fourth start she finished so far behind the winner, she was banned from racing from two months for being uncompetitive.

Taeyangui Mabeopsa given the KRA Studbook treatment (Pic: KRA)

On her return in March 2009, things improved. Now in the ownership of Kim Gwang Young and under American jockey Santos Chavez in another five furlong race, she finished fourth, gaining her first money finish. Two races later and stepping up to six furlongs, she would finish third. This was a position she would go on to achieve three more times for a third owner, Koo Bon Soon, over the next couple of years, but Taeyangui Mabeopsa never won a race and never made it out of class 4 racing – the lowest for imported horses.

She ran at Seoul for the final time in January of this year, finishing tenth of twelve in her thirty-second outing. Owner Koo decided that she was unlikely to add to the 21 Million Korean won (about US$20K) she had won and retired her from racing. She was transferred to the Namyang Riding Club, an equestrian club in Gyeonggi Province, 75 miles south-west of Seoul, an organisation that retrains former racehorses as riding horses.

Once re-trained, the horses are used for various leisure activities while the club is also well-known for appearing in many Korean movies and TV Dramas.

Taeyangui Mabeopsa is in good company. Among many recently retired from the track, Namyang recently took possession of Seonbongbulpae, Korea’s champion juvenile of 2009 who also ran his last race earlier this year. As a Korean born colt, Seonbongbulpae had no stud value. Likewise, Taeyangui Mabeopsa hadn’t been deemed worthy of broodmare duties.

After what happened in Louisville last Friday evening, she may well find herself called back to the farm.

H/T to Fallight for this story.

Ton-Up Jo In Kwen Leads New Generation

100th Winner for Jo In Kwen / Mister Park Streak Hits Fourteen

Jo In Kwen passed an important milestone at Seoul Race Park today as he became the first of the “New Generation” of Korean jockeys to record his 100th winner. The landmark arrived in race 4, as Jo partnered favourite, Power Runner to a routine two-length victory. It was his 811th ride since making his debut in June 2008.

Ton-Up: Jo In Kwen

The “New Generation” comprises graduates of the KRA’s Jockey Academy which, with overseas riding instructors, has been churning out riders with a more westernized style and approach to racing. Of course once they graduate and are apprenticed to a trainer – all ex-jockeys themselves – they are expected to ride in the old style. However, class is gradually begininng to show through and the likes of Jo, Boo Min Ho and this year’s stand-out debutant Jang Chu Yeol are some of those young riders making quick in-roads into the upper-echelons of the weighing room.

Among them is Kim Hae Sun who looks like she has a chance of being the first female rider to break through to the top-tier. Today, she scored her 21st career winner with a typically dashing performance on Ganghanyeosin in race 5. That Ganghanyeosin was favourite is telling. Kim is the first female rider to have regular opportunities on fancied horses. And when she gets those opportunities, she converts them at a rate equal to anybody’s.

Kim Hae Sun Drives Ganghanyeosin to victory at Seoul today

In the feature race today, Jo In Kwen could only manage second place, albeit on a 35/1 outsider, as 4/1 High Point took the honours by a comfortable five lengths. It was five-year old High Point’s second consecutive victory and his first at class 1.

Down at Busan, Korea’s current number one horse Mister Park (Ecton Park) further enhanced his reputation as he moved onto fourteen straight wins by taking the feature race. Facing exclusively foreign-bred opposition for the first time and with a relatively unknown jockey on board, punters still sent the 2010 Grand Prix winner off as the long odds-on favourite. And, despite one or two nervous moments, he didn’t let them down. Bounding out of the gate into an early lead, Lee Dae Yeon and Mister Park had the race fully under control from the beginning and looked set for a comfortable win.

Mister Park (Pic: KRA)

However, as they entered the home stretch, Sinheung Hwangjae, a five-year old Australian bred horse emerged from the field and challenged the leader on his inside. With two furlongs to go, he drew level and for the next furlong the lead changed hands a number of times. For just a moment, it looked as though the champion was going to falter but it was only for a moment. As they entered the final 150 metres, Mister Park shifted gears again and eased away from his opponent, recording a three-length victory on the line.

The streak is intact – following defeat on his racecourse debut, Mister Park has now gone fourteen races without suffering another.

* Yesterday at Seoul, the “rubber match” between Jumong and Bally Brae was crashed emphatically by Strong Demand (Read The Footnotes), who justified his favourite tag by scoring a two and a half-length victory in the feature race. Jumong (Johar) got the better of Bally Brae (Yarrow Brae) as the pair finished second and third respectively to take a 2-1 lead in their 2011 head-to-heads.

Next week it’s the big one. The 14th Korean Derby. All the build-up will be here throughout the week.

Seoul Racecourse, May 8, 2011

Weekend Preview

Jumong vs Bally Brae Part 3, Larrycat, Mister Park

Back when he had a full head of hair and only one stomach and chin, a pre-teen Gyongmaman used to complain to his parents that while there was a Mother’s Day and a Father’s Day, there was no “Children’s Day.” Invariably the response came back that “Every day is Children’s Day”.

It was Childrens' Day in Korea today. This chap will no doubt have stayed home to study the weekend's form

Well here in Korea today actually was “Children’s Day” and it meant a public holiday. Seoul Race Park’s infield was open and hosting the usual brand of Korean family oriented daftness that these occasions call for. No racing though. That begins on the peninsula tomorrow.

While in the US it is Derby weekend, here in Korea, we’re still a week away from the big one. However, while it might be expected to be a low-key weekend of racing, it’s anything but. We have an absolute belter of a main event at Seoul Race Park this Saturday while the “best horse in Korea” runs at Busan on Sunday.

Four weeks ago, Jumong (Johar) levelled things up with his older brother Subsidy’s great rival Bally Brae (Yarrow Brae) after the older horse had beaten him earlier this year. At the time we said a decider was necessary, and that is what we’re going to get in the nine furlong feature race. However, there’s a problem for the two of them and his name is Larrycat (Fantasticat). Second in the Grand Prix Stakes last year, the four-year old will be carrying top weight in the handicap but on his day, could have the beating of both.

Mister Park

Speaking of the Grand Prix, the current champion and de-facto holder of the title of best horse in Korea, Mister Park (Ecton Park) makes his third appearance of 2011 in the feature race at his home track of Busan on Sunday. And for the first time, except of course for the Grand Prix, he’ll take his chance against exclusively imported horses. While in theory it’s a tougher challenge, it also means he’ll have to carry less weight (although this race is actually an allowance or conditions race, rather than a handicap).

Mister Park will be looking for hs fourteenth straight victory and jockey Lee Dae Yeon, who surprisingly gets the ride, has the biggest opportunity of his career when the race comes under orders at 17:00 on Sunday.

There’s also big action for the ponies at Jeju in the shape of the “Seongsan Ilchul” or “Sunrise Stakes” on the Island on Saturday.

Here’s what’s happening when and where around the peninsula this weekend:

Friday May 6

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

Saturday May 7

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

Sunday May 8

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