Author: gyongmaman

Korean Racing Girls

Success and Tragedy – A short history of female jockeys in Korea
Back in the early days of this site, a not insubstantial proportion of traffic came from those googling for “Korean racing girls”. A high instance of the words Korean, racing and a lot of horses with the word “girl” in their name no doubt contributing to that. And probably disappointing those surfers. Hopefully those figures will now get another boost.

On Sunday, jockey Na Yu Na landed the KRA Jeju Cup on 9-1 shot Mangpouikkum and in doing so secured what was arguably the most prestigious ever win for a female rider in Korea. With Lee Shin Young and Lee Ae Li also in the Winner’s Circle at Seoul, it meant that 25% of all licensed female riders in Korean racing history tasted victory this past weekend. The story of female jockeys in Korea is brief, but contains elements of tragedy, frustrated ambition but also success in a challenging environment.

You have to go back to the now long-gone Ttukkseom Racecourse on the north bank of the Han River and to the Spring of 1975 when 21 year old Lee Ok Rae became the first woman to be granted a jockey license in Korea. South Korea was, at the time, under the authoritarian rule of President Park Chung Hee who had recently survived the second of three assassination attempts – this one had resulted in the death of his wife. Then, as now, racing held a near monopoly on gambling and Ttukkseom was full to bursting on each race-day.

Lee Ok Rae graduated in the same class as Bae Dae Sun and Ji Yong Cheol, who would go on to become two of the top riders of their generation and today are among the country’s most successful trainers. Lee was assigned to trainer Kwon In Deok and on March 17 that year rode in her first race. In true storybook fashion it was a winning debut as in race 4 that day, she partnered horse number 1, “Kansas” to victory over five and a half furlongs.

Lee continued to establish herself over the coming months, however, in August that year, disaster struck in the shape of a fall in which she sustained injuries that would end her career. She retired just six months after her first ride with seven wins from forty eight starts. No Korean woman would ride in a race for the next quarter of a century.

By the time they did, Park Chung Hee had been dead for two decades and his once bitter enemy Kim Dae Jung was now President of South Korea. Seoul had hosted the Olympic games in 1988 and Ttukkseom Racecourse was closed as the huge new track at Gwacheon opened. At the turn of the millennium, the KRA made an effort to get more women into the sport.

In 2001, two jockeys were granted licenses, Lee Geum Joo and Lee Shin Young. They were followed a year later by Lee Ae Li and Park Jin Hee. While Lee Geum Joo remains licensed, she hasn’t ridden for over two years. The other three, however, have enjoyed successful careers.

Lee Shin Young, known for an aggressive style that has her in the stewards’ room as often as the winner’s circle has the most thoroughbred wins with 82 while Park Jin Hee moved down to Busan when the southern track opened and has become well-established there. Lee Ae Li, meanwhile, continues to be the punters’ favourite with her pink silks and “Ae Li Gongju” (Princess Ae Li) nickname despite a recent dip in form. Booting home Enertein for a wire-to-wire win in race 1 last Sunday, however, may be the fillip she needs to get back in form.

Tragedy struck the next intake, however. Granted a license in 2005, Lee Myoung Hwa took her own life shortly afterward. She was found to have been suffering from depression that is believed to have been exacerbated by worries about constant reducing to make weight. A year later, newly licensed Kim Seo Jin quit

In 2006, the jockeys received nationwide mainstream publicity with the release of the movie “Gaksoltang” (“Lump Sugar”). Starring actress Im Su Jeong, key parts of the movie were shot at Seoul Race Park as the heroine takes on the role of a jockey (click here to watch trailer). KBS Television produced a one-off documentary about Lee Ae Li to coincide with the film’s release.

Meanwhile, down on Jeju Island Kim Joo Hee and Na Yu Na became the first women to receive jockey licenses for the pony racing there. Kim was formerly a promising athlete while Na was an Aerobics instructor. Both have become prolific winners with Na becoming the first woman to reach 100 career winners as well as landing the KRA Jeju Cup.

Na and Kim have found it easier to compete riding the Jeju ponies than their counterparts have on the thorougbreds on the mainland and in a short time have risen to first and third in the all-time female winners list.

Back in Seoul, Yoo Mi Ra qualified in 2008. It took her over a year to record her first winner and she languishes with one of the worst quinella percentages at the track. However, she has only ever ridden one horse with a clear chance of winning – and she won. Her time may come. Still searching for her first winner is this year’s graduate, Kim Hae Sun. With plenty of support from trainers, however, it seems this first win isn’t far away.

There will soon be an eleventh woman joining the ranks of licensed jockeys in Korea. Having won the International Lady Jockey Invitational last month, Japanese rider Hitomi Miyashita clearly took a liking to the Busan track and applied for a license as soon as she returned home. She’s anticipated to join in the coming weeks.

All time List – (Winners/Rides):

1. Na Yu Na* – 102 (963)
2. Lee Shin Young – 82 (816)
4. Kim Joo Hee* – 51 (897)
5. Lee Ae Li – 43 (808)
6. Park Jin Hee – 38 (586)
7. Lee Geum Ju – 16 (624)
8. Lee Ok Rae – 7 (48)
9. Yoo Mi Ra – 1 (132)
10. Kim Hae Sun – 0 (23)
11. Lee Myoung Hwa –
11. Kim Seo Jin –

*Jeju Pony Racing

* Much of the information for this post was sourced from the excellent Korean language blog “Enjoy Horse Racing”. Pictures of all the jockeys mentioned can be found at this link.

Dangdaeteukgeup Lands Dong-a

Favourites go down across the peninsula but Seonbeongbulpae marches on

Dangdaeteukgeup was a comfortable five length winner of the Dong-a Ilbo Cup at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. The four year old started as second favourite and was quickly in control of the seven furlong race. Under Choi Beom Hyun, she never looked vulnerable, pulling away in the final furlong to win from Hallasinbi in second and favourite Feel It Now in third.

At Busan there were two big races. The Gold Circle Trophy had looked like being a straight fight between three year olds KO Punch and Top Grade and so it proved to be. And fittingly for the South Africa sponsored race, it was South African jockey Martin Wepner who guided Top Grade to victory by a length and a half from favourite KO Punch. Top Grade now moves onto five victories from seven starts.

While the favourites missed out in the Dong-a and GC, the ultimate winners were at least well-fancied. Not so in the Macau Jockey Club Special. Hot favourite Sweet Summertime left it too late to get seriously involved at the business end of the race and it was left to 60-1 outsider Rolling On Strong to take the win. Fellow long shot Namchee rounded out a 1000-1 exacta in a tight finish with third favorite Haegeoreum leading the rest of the pack home.

On a cool autumn afternoon at Seoul, there was one other appearance of note. Along with Nothern Ace, Seonbeongbulpae is one of the two most highly regarded two year olds at the track. Today he made his second appearance and breezed through six and a half furlongs within half a second of the track record without jockey Jo In Kwen having to move.

If Nothern Ace and Seonbeongbulpae both make it unscathed to November, then the Herald Business – the nation’s top two year old race – is going to be one to savour.

Meanwhile on Jeju Island the ponies had one of their biggest races of the year in the form of the 1700 metre KRA Jeju Cup. In what was a very open betting race, 9-1 shot Mangpouikkum took a half length win for female jock Na Yu Na. Favourite Minsokchum came in third.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Big Sunday Preview

Dong-a Ilbo / GC Trophy / MJC / KRA Jeju Cup
Sunday sees four big races split between Seoul, Busan and Jeju. It promises to be one of the most interesting days of the year:

Dong-a Ilbo Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – 17:00

It’s the 13th running of the Dong-a Ilbo and it is, for the second time, restricted to class 2 fillies and mares. Previous winners – when it was open to all – have included Baekgwang in 2006 and Hongji in 2007.

A full field of fourteen will gather this time and they are a mixture of up and comers and those who haven’t quite made the breakthrough to the top level of Korean racing.

It’s an open looking race. Ganghan Speed and Dangdae Teukgeup should be in the mix at the end as shoud Feel It Now and Grandzif. Hwaryeohanbisang is also an interesting prospect. Never tried at this level, the three year old has won four of her six starts.

Gold Circle Trophy – Busan Race Park – 1400M – 15:35

South Africa’s Gold Circle Organization runs racecourses and betting in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. Over the past few years it has built links with the KRA which have seen three Korean apprentice jockeys going to South Africa for training and a Riding Instructor come to Korea. Earlier this year the KRA sponsored the KRA Guineas at Greyville Racetrack.

The first GC Trophy is open to class 2 horses and has attracted a field of eight including two of Busan’s most highly rated three year olds. KO Punch arrived on the scene too late for the classics while Top Grade is a gelding so was ineligible. Both have impressive records with KO Punch four for five and Top Grade four for six. Molto Presto, another three year old in a winning habit lately, can’t be discounted, nor can lightly raced four year old Namdo Myeongjang.

Macau Jockey Club Special – Busan Race Park – 1400M – 16:30

The second MJC brings together fourteen of Busan’s up and coming imports. Unlike the day’s other two big races, this one should have a clear favourite in Sweet Summertime. The Soto filly has three wins from her six starts and has beaten better than she will face in this.

That’s not to say she’ll have it easy. Essence Of Dubai colt Haegeoreum is capable of springing a surprise as are Jungwon Jepae and Double The Gold. Nevertheless, as so often this year, the most likely results is a filly beating her male counterparts.

KRA Jeju Cup – Jeju Race Park – 1700M – 15:50

This site doesn’t cover Jeju very often, however, the Jeju Ponies have one of their biggest races of the year in the shape of the KRA Jeju Cup. Minsokchum is top weight but faces a host of regular winners at the track in the shadow of Mt. Halla.

Racing is underway at Seoul at 11:20 (11 races) , Jeju at 12:10 (9 races) and Busan at 12:40 (6 races). With temperatures likely to be in the mid twenties (celsius) and a light breeze taking the edge off the sun, there really is going to be no better place to be on the peninsula – or on Jeju Island – on Sunday, than one of the racecourses. Come Racing!

Baekgwang’s Second Ends in Second

Grey runs well but beaten by Gi Ra Seong
Gi Ra Seong may have won, but most eyes were on Baekgwang in the feature race at Seoul this afternoon. The great grey was making his second start since his year on the sidelines while undergoing the stem cell treatment that has rescued his career.

While connections are still being cautious, today’s second place in a tough handicap was an improvement on his fourth in last month’s SBS Cup. By the time Park Tae Jong unleashed the now six year old’s familiar stretch run down the middle of the track, Gi Ra Seong was already out of sight. For a moment, however, there was a glimpse of the Baekgwang of three years ago as he ate into the lead and even found time to revert to his old habit of drifting toward the rail.

The distance on the line though, while only a length and a half, owed more to Gi Ra Seong easing in the final few strides. The five year old is now on three straight wins and has eleven from twenty in all.

Baekgwang, Park Tae Jong up, parades

Baekgwang, Park Tae Jong up, parades

For Baekgwang, if he has come through this race unscathed and if he continues to improve in training, a shot at the President’s Cup remains an option.

While Baekgwang’s comeback continued, there were others beginning theirs today. Another grey, New Heart, won her first and only race on her debut last November. Sustaining an injury shortly afetrwards that would keep her off the track for ten months, today she finally made her first appearance as a three year old. She duly showed punters what they’ve missed by claiming race 5 with a strong late run.

Also returning today after a lengthy spell out was jockey Lee Shin Young. Korea’s top female jock didn’t take long to make an impact, winning race 7 on Sinhwacheoreom. Tomorrow she will be re-united with former regular mount Kkumcheoreom as the pair go for the Dong-a Ilbo Cup.

Class 1 Handicap (Domestic) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Sep 19, 2009

1. Gi Ra Seong (KOR) [Precise End – Dauntless Cat (Mountain Cat)] – Choi Beom Hyun – 2.0, 1.1,
2. Baekgwang (KOR) [The Groom Is Red – Grey Crest (Gold Crest)] – Park Tae Jong – 1.2
3. Wontagui Gisa (KOR) [Fiercely – Grove Lady (Varick)] – Moon Jung Kyun 1.7
Distances: 1.5 lengths/3 lengths – 8 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Weekend Preview

Dong-a Ilbo / Gold Circle Trophy / MJC Cup / KRA Jeju Cup
It’s another big weekend of racing on the peninsula with three trophy races on Sunday, two at Busan and one at Seoul headlining the action. At Busan, Sunday is International Day with South Africa’s Gold Circle sponsoring a race for the first time at the track and the Macau Jockey Club sponsoring the second MJC Trophy. Up at Seoul, some of the track’s up and coming fillies and mares will contest the Dong-A Ilbo Cup. We’ll have a full preview of all three trophy races over the next couple of days.

There’s plenty of other action too. On Friday, just two weeks after being shown up by Sinjin Gangja, Yeonseung Daero and Namdo Jeap will go against each other again. Sky Star will be joining them.

Then on Saturday, the white wave, Baekgwang, makes his second appearance since recovering career-rescuing stem cell treatment. He’ll have it tough again with Gi Ra Seong and Hwangnyongsaji also among a field of eight over ten furlongs.

Jeju doesn’t go without either. One of the track’s biggest races, the KRA Jeju Cup is on Sunday afternoon.

Busan Race Park

Friday September 18: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday September 20: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Seoul Race Park

Saturday September 19: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40
Sunday September 20: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:10

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday September 19: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10
Sunday September 20: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:20

CEO Talks Up Riding to Save Racing

Meanwhile Government wants visitors to borrow to gamble
The Korea Herald reports today on a press conference given by KRA Chairman & CEO Kim Kwang Won to mark the end of his first year in the job. Gone was the talk of raising revenue and lobbying to get the KRW 100,000 maximum bet limit removed. Instead the focus was on preservation in the face a wildly unpredictable regulator.

To this end, Kim focused on the KRA’s charity work and and the expansion of its community activities. He made particular mention of his plan to promote horse riding as a leisure activity by improving equestrian facilities across the country and making it affordable for more people to actually be around horses. At the same time, Kim hopes to establish a “horse academic institution” and improve veterinarian facilities.

Kim’s comments were in line with moves by the KRA to fend off the National Gaming Control Commission – some of whose members appear determined to hand total control of the gaming market to the criminal fraternity.

The strategy has already involved sponsoring the Korean Table Tennis and Judo teams (the latter of which picked up several Olympic medals in Beijing last year) as well as the utilitzation of off track betting plazas for community activities on non-race days. Meanwhile the “KRA Angels” are becoming one of the more visible charitable organizations in Korea.

On the same day that the KRA Chairman talks of the measures his organization is having to take to distance itself from the gambling which so threatens Korean society, it comes as little surprise to hear that the government plans to wring every last bit of currency out of foreign gamers.

The Ministry of Strategy and Finance announced Wednesday that foreigners will now be able to use credit cards to buy gambling chips in the country’s casinos. The highlight of the article in the Korea Times is the following passage:

“Currently foreign tourists are able to buy chips only with cash…Government officials said this has discouraged non-Koreans from gambling here adding if visitors were allowed to purchase chips with plastic, they would spend more money”.

Yeongung Manse Crashes “Match Race”

Stars beaten at Busan / Vicar Love stays on
In the end Gaeseon Janggun beat Areumdaun Jilju in what was billed as “Match Race” between the two best Korean horses at Busan. However, he beat him for second place as both suffered a stunning reverse at the hands of Yeongung Manse in the G3 Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup.

After early leader Conqueror decided he’d had enough as they entered the home straight, the stage was set for the four year old Gaeseon Janggun and Areumdaun Jilju, one year his senior, to finally hook up after avoiding one another for the past year. Hook up they did and the battle was every bit as intense as expected. What was not expected was that in between them was the four year old gelding Yeongung Manse.

As punters cursed themselves for overlooking th fact that over the nine furlong distance he had recorded the fastest previous time, Yeongung Manse and Jo Chang Wook held off Gaeseon Janggun by a neck to land his ninth and biggest win of his career. Areumdaun Jilju was a further length back in third.

While Conqueror stayed on to only be beaten into fourth by a length, the major disappointment of the race was Pangpang. The Oaks winner wasn’t expected to win but neither was she expected to be a tailed off 14 lengths last. With Yeonseung Daero and Namdo Jeap being put in their place last week, the three year olds have not had a good few days.

Up at Seoul Race Park the International Jockey Invitational was the highlight (see report) but once that was over, there were still two major races on the card. Those hoping to gain some clues as to who may be able to challenge Dongbanui Gangja in the season ending Grand Prix were watching race 10 with interest. Not only was it one of very few races to be held over the Grand Prix distance of eleven and a half furlongs, but also featured a former winner in the shape of 2006 Horse of the Year Bally Brae as well as a host of those beaten last year.

The sentimental money went on Bally Brae but although the seven year old set the early pace, jockey Park Tae Jong eased him in the home straight as three months off the track and carrying over 60 kilos caught up with the much-loved gelding. In his place, Vicar Love was the surprise winner, holding off the late running favourite Bulpae Gisang. Last year’s Owners’ Trophy winner Saerounbisul snatched third.

Vicar Love [Vicar – Canberra (Silver Hawk)] struggled with the trip in the Grand Prix and had been in indifferent form this year. The handicapper will no doubt punish him for this but the Grand Prix race in December isn’t a handicap. Dongbanui Gangja’s connections will perhaps not be losing too much sleep at this stage, however.

In the final race of the weekend, Taesanbukdu won a class 1 domestic race by three lengths from joint favourite Ugildongja.

Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (G.III) – Busan Race Park – 1800M – Sep 13, 2009

1. Yeongung Manse (KOR) [Sharp Appeal – Saratogasplash (Wild Again)] – Jo Chang Wook – 8.3, 2.5
2. Gaeseon Janggun (KOR) [Duality – Diamond Star (Dixieland Band)] – Jo Sung Gon – 1.4
3. Areumdaun Jilju (KOR) [Didyme – Chills Of Nepal (Nepal)] – Lim Sung Sil – 1.1
Distances: Neck/1 length
Also Ran: 4. Conqueror, 5. Pangpang

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Korea Wins International Jockey Invitational

Tetsuya Kobayashi wins feature race but Ham Wan Sik overall winner
Ham Wan Sik won individual honours as Korea held onto to their overnight lead to clinch the 5th KRA International Jockey Invitational series at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

With a deficit of over 60 points to make up in today’s two races, the odds were heavily stacked against the Rest Of The World team. Nevertheless, they can claim to have won day 2. In the first of two seven furlong races, Pat Shanahan got up to rescue a dead heat on Woljeongsa when it looked as though Ham Wan Sik had the race won on Gwacheonnyeoje.

Although Choi Beom Hyun’s third place on Urim meant that the home team had won the challenge, the ROTW team came out fighting in the fourth and final race – also the most valuable of the series. In what was a very open betting race, Japanese rider Tetsuya Kobayashi came out on top, bringing second favourite Fundahigh through late for a length and a half win. The contest ended with the Koreans on top by 126 points to 81.

With one win and one dead heat, Ham Wan Sik took the Individual contest and is $20,000 richer this evening. Cho Kyoung Ho took the $10,000 runner-up prize, while Pat Shanahan will return to Ireland with $5,000 for finishing third.

Big Lead For Home Team in Invitational

Korea lead ROTW 82-20 at the end of Day 1
Korea will head into the second day of the 5th KRA International Jockey Invitational with what should be an unassailable lead after home riders dominated the first two races of the contest at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

After the jockeys had been presented to the crowd in heavy rain, the skies cleared and Cho Kyoung Ho landed the the first race of the event. The in-form rider brought six year old gelding Sintaepung home for a seven length win in the seven furlong class 3 race with Choi Beom Hyun leading the rest home on Jeoksita. Richard Fourie of South Africa was a fast finishing third on Princess Ruby to give the Rest Of The World team their first points, just ahead of the USA’s Luis Garcia on Arabian Bird.

Ham Wan Sik, Yang Hee Jin and Jim Byrne took the remaining minor points which gave the Koreans a big lead of 37-14. It was important therefore for the ROTW team to come out strong for the second race of the contest, this time a class 2 over nine and a half furlongs. However, with the Koreans getting the better of the draw, this was going to be a tough ask.

So it proved to be. Spectacularly. All six home riders finished ahead of the first visitor home. Outsiders made up the first two with Ham Was Sik coaxing 33/1 shot Badauibyeol home for a wire to wire win, half a length ahead of Bang Choon Sik on Beautiful Sky with favourite Jangjagang third for Yang Hee Jin.

Richard Fourie was the only ROTW rider to place

Richard Fourie was the only ROTW rider to place

Korea therefore go in to tomorrow’s two races leading the contest by a massive 82 points to 20.

* Aside from Ricard Fourie’s third place, one other visitor made it into the placings today. In a non-contest race, Australian Jim Byrne took outsider Soul Warrior into an early lead and stayed on for a battling second place to Cho Kyoung Ho on Daeseungippeum.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Gaeseon Janggun, Areumdaun Jilju Meet At Last

Oaks Winner Pangpang Joins Governor’s Cup Showdown
While the International Jockey Invitational tops the bill at Seoul this coming weekend, Busan plays host to one of its biggest races of the season on Sunday in the form of the Group 3 Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup.

Unusually for Korea – and especially for a big race – only five horses will go to post at 3:45 on Sunday afternoon. Indeed, while the minimum allowable field size was reduced to five earlier this year, this is the first race to draw such a small number.

The five that will go, however, are well worth having the stage to themselves as Gaeseon Janggun and Areumdaun Jilju, rated the top two Korean bred horses at Busan meet for the very first time. It’s a long awaited contest between the lightly raced duo as injury to one of the other has kept them apart so far. Gaeseon Janggun won the Minister’s Cup last season while Areumdaun Jilju became the top horse at the track last season, routinely beating both Korean and Overseas bred runners. Both are unbeaten in their few appearances this season.

They will be joined by Oaks winner Pangpang, who stunned KRA Cup Mile and Derby winner Sangseung Ilro in the filllies’ Classic last month. Three year old improver Conqueror and prolific four year old Yeongung Manse flesh out the field.

Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (G.III) – Busan Race Park – 1800M – Sep 13, 2009: 15:45

1. Gaeseon Janggun (KOR) [Duality – Diamond Star (Dixieland Band)] – C 4 – (15/8/3/1) – Jo Sung Gon
Second in the first two legs of the 2008 Triple Crown before winning the final jewel, the Minister’s Cup at Seoul. On his return to Busan he suffered his only setback, finishing out of the money in the Owner’s Trophy. Lightly raced since then, he’s won all four of his 2009 outings.
2. Conqueror (KOR) [Revere – Model Actress (Stage Colony)] – C 3 – (12/4/3/0) – Park Geum Man
A slow starter, the three year old took five races to break his maiden and missed out on this year’s classics. Recently graduated to class 1, but yet to be tested at this level.
3. Pangpang (KOR) [Revere – Awishnotalark (Rio’s Lark)] – F 3 – (16/4/1/1) – Han Sang Gyu
Fourth in the Derby marked her down as the only credible challenger to Sangseung Ilro in the Oaks. She duly obliged, chasing down and overtaking the hot favourite to pull off a major upset and establish herself as one of the top stars of Korean racing. Was it a one-off? We’ll find out on Sunday.
4. Yeongung Manse (KOR) [Sharp Appeal – Saratogasplash (Wild Again) – C 4 – (16/8/3/2) – Jo Chang Wook
Has never been out of the money in his sixteen starts. He’s quick and has three top class wins to his name.
5. Areumdaun Jilju (KOR) [Didyme – Chills Of Nepal (Nepal)] – (20/14/3/0) – H 5 – Lim Sung Sil
The five year old made his debut over three years ago but has only raced twenty times. SInce turning three, he’s won ten of his tweve races including both of his outings this year.