Author: gyongmaman

J.S. Hold Officially Retired

J.S. Hold [Ft. Stockton – Hwansangjiljoo (Passetreul)], considered by many to be Korea’s greatest ever domestically bred thoroughbred, has been officially retired nearly a year since his last outing on the track. In 2007, the chestnut colt won Korea’s Triple Crown in commanding style.

Debuting in race 1 at 11am on Minister’s Cup day in October 2006, J.S. Hold finished fourth of twelve in a category 6 race. It was the last time any horse would finish in front of him and one year later, he would be completing the Triple Crown in the main event. Following that first race, J.S. Hold ran once a month winning each time as he stepped up in class and distance until he arrived at the Ttukseom Cup in April 2007. By this time, word was out that a special horse had arrived and, sent off the 1.4 favourite, under Moon Jung Kyun the horse powered to a seven length win.

Next up was the Korean Derby in May. In an astonishing display, J.S. Hold hit the front on the backstretch and cruised to an eleven length win. The following month, the three year old was sent up against older horses and, in a big handicap, cantered past the likes of Secret Weapon and Myeongmun Gamun to win by five lengths. It was after this, however, that a leg injury started to affect the horse and it was touch and go as to whether he’d be ready for the final race of the Triple Crown, the Minister’s Cup on October 14. He made it, however. The pace was set throughout by Ganghomyeongjang who was still in front as they entered the final furlong, Moon Jung Kyun shifted J.S. Hold out from the rail and gradually ran down his opponent hitting the front just metres from the line for the historic win in Korea’s first Triple Crown series.

Whether the race aggravated his injury is unclear but trainer Kim Dae Geun has been quoted as saying that regardless of the historic achievement, he regrets running J.S. Hold that day. When it came to the season ending Grand Prix in December the trainer won the argument with his owner and he didn’t run. Indeed, he never ran again. In June this year, he appeared among the entries for a handicap race after showing promise in track-work. Come declaration day, however, his name was gone and never appeared again. For a Triple Crown winner, J.S. Hold faces an uncertain future. With little interest among breeders for any Korean bred horse, even one as talented as him, his owners have had a hard time finding a place for him with even the farm where he was born turning him down. Eventually it was agreed he will retire to Taemyoung Farm on Jeju Island but it is doubtful that there will be sons or daughters of J.S. Hold on the track in future. What this says for the fate of less high-profile horses in Korea is troubling.

This coming Saturday, there will be a ceremony to honour the achievements of J.S. Hold after the fourth race at Seoul Race Park. The videos of his Triple Crown win can be seen below:
Ttukseom Cup – 1200M, April 15, 2007
Korean Derby – 1800M, May 27, 2007
Minster of Agriculture’s Cup – 2000M 14 October, 2007

Park Tae Jong Wins Jockey Challenge

Korean team beat ROTW / Playing Politics strolls JRA Trophy
Park Tae Jong emerged victorious in the International Jockey Challenge Series at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. The forty two year old finished level on 41 points with fellow local rider Choi Beom Hyun at the end of the four-race series, with Park taking the $20,000 first prize by virtue of having landed more prize money during the event. Another Korean, Moon Se Young finished third with 34 points. Issei Murate was top International jockey with 31 points

Overnight leader Greg Cheyne had it all to do today as his mounts were all relatively unfancied but while Moon Se Young took today’s opener on Daleumi, Cheyne managed a final furlong effort to sneak into fifth place aboard 136.8 outsider Luxury and take five points to keep him in front overall. It wasn’t to be from then on, however, as Park Tae Jong, having finished third in the first, guided favourite Storm Finish to a comfortable two length win in the next to put himself in pole position going into the final race in which he had drawn the favourite, Baekdujeonseol.

The final race of the Challenge was a KRW 53Million Special Handicap and it was American Tony Black who stormed out of the gate and into an early lead on second favourite Jigusangwiryeok. As they turned for home, Black’s horse was still leading, but Park and Choi Beom Hyun on third favourite Bandoeui Byeol were closing fast. They came past in the final half furlong with Bandoeui Byeol taking the win by half a length with Jigusangwiryeok running on for third.

The other main event of the day was the JRA Trophy Race which saw Playing Politics going up against the unbeaten Brilliant Knight. However, it was Big Sox (22.0) under Kim Ok Sung, who got a jump on the field at the start. Choi Beom Hyun, on one of the best days of his career, was content to wait on Playing Politics as the four year old stalked Big Sox in the home straight. Finally as they passed the half furlong pole, Choi brought Playing Politics out to the right and they went past Big Sox in dismissive fashion for a win much easier than the final two length margin suggests. Brilliant Knight came in third a further four lengths back.

Park Soo Hong was Brilliant Knight’s jockey and he went on to take the day’s feature handicap on hot favourite Natural Nine, holding off a final furlong challenge from Best Condition. It was a day which had, much earlier, almost ended in disaster for the 33 year old as he fell heavily from two year old Cheonsangyeogeol in race 2.

While the focus was very much on Seoul, Busan also ran a six race card, the feature seeing a second consecutive win for Japanese bred Dongbang Geona in a KRW 40 Million Handicap.

JRA Trophy Race – Seoul Race Park – Oct 5, 2008 – 1200M

1. Playing Politics (USA) [Outflanker – Political Bluff (Unaccounted For)]-Choi Beom Hyun
2. Big Sox (USA) [Cimarron Secret-West Point Woman (Great Above)] – Kim Ok Sung
3. Brilliant Knight (USA) [Lion Hearted – Deputy Lady (French Deputy)] – Park Soo Hong
Distances: 2 lengths / 4 lengths

Fourth International Jockey Challenge Series
Korea 136 – 109 Rest Of The World

1. Park Tae Jong (KOR) 41
2. Choi Beom Hyun (KOR) 41
3. Moon Se Young (KOR) 34
4. Issei Murate (JPN) 31
5. Greg Cheyne (RSA) 29
6. Robert Thompson (AUS) 22
7. Anthony Black (USA) 18
8. Moon Jung Kyun (KOR) 12
9. Eddie Lai (HK) 9
10. Cho Kyoung Ho (KOR) 8

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Cheyne Wins Challenge Opener

Lucky Mountain, Dream Runner & Best Fusion Land Exchange Trophies / Subsidy has to wait for the Billion
South African Greg Cheyne took the opening race of the 2008 International Jockey Challenge with a solid length and a half win on three year old colt Daesahyeong at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. It was Moon Se Young on Ever Rich who bounded out of the gate to open up an early lead in the 1700 metre race. They were joined in the back straight by Anthony Black on Goun Sesang and the two horses led round the final turn. At this stage, Cheyne was looking boxed in on the inside, but as the leaders tired, a gap began to open up at the two furlong pole. Others ran wide and Cheyne took Daesahyeong, the 8.1 third-favourite, down the rail to sprint clear, winning with plenty in hand. Favourite Janggun Bada partnered by Oh Kyoung Hoan, who is not part of the Challenge, finished second with Japanese rider Issei Murate in third on Meotjin Segye.

On a big day’s racing, there were three International Exchange Trophy races all of which went resonably to form. First up was the Singapore Turf Club Trophy Race and it was 6.5 third favourite Lucky Mountain who emerged the half lenth victor after long-time leader Happy Box with Malaysian jockey Ronald Woodworth on board weakened badly in the straight. Next up was the Australian Jockey Club Trophy which saw another big race win for Moon Se Young, this time on the 1.8 favourite Dream Runner. The filly came through the middle of the field in the final furlong to win in a more impressive fashion than the length and a quarter margin of victory would suggest. Finally there was the Horse Racing Ireland Trophy and again, it went to the favourite as Best Fusion went wire to wire for a comfortable four length win under Kim Hyo Seob.

In other races, Subsidy was aiming to take his career earnings to over KRW 1 Billion in the feature handicap. However, despite being backed into 2.2 favourite, the eight year old is going to have to wait a little longer as he could only manage third. Vicar Love, winner of the YTN Cup in August, bounced out the gate, extended his lead in the back straight and never looked back from then on, the the three year old running on for an eye-catching six length win with Owner’s Association Trophy winner Saerounbisul leading the well-beaten field in. Vicar Love goes on to six wins from nine outings, this his first in cat.1 company.

Racing returns to Seoul tomorrow with the first off at 11:20. The three remaining races of the International Jockey Challenge are races 5, 6 and 8. Greg Cheyne is going to have a tough time hanging on to his lead as his rides tomorrow are not well-fancied. Racegoers should, however, see both Robert Thompson and Anthony Black given the opportunity to show what they can do as both have winning chances, as indeed does Park Tae Jong for Korea. Highlight of the day, however, is perhaps the JRA Trophy Race which will see Playing Politics looking to get back in form by ending the unbeaten streak of Brilliant Knight when the two clash over six furlongs at 15:10 with the likes of K J Khan set to keep them good company. There is also a six race card at Busan Race Park, with the first going to post at 12:40.

Singapore Turf Club Trophy Race – Seoul Race Park – Oct 4, 2008 – 1300M

1. Lucky Mountain (KOR) [Silent Warrior – Myeonggahui (Revere)] – Cho Kyoung Ho
2. Magic Bouquet (AUS) [Telesto – Romance The Stone (Tolomeo)] – Ikuyasu Kurakane
3. Admiral Warstorm (USA) [Delineator – Butterbean (Buckaroo)] – Yoo Sang Wan
Distances: 0.5 lengths and 0.5 lengths

Australian Jockey Club Trophy Race – Seoul Race Park – Oct 4, 2008 – 1400M

1. Dream Runner (KOR) [Our Poetic Prince – Aubrey (Mustin Lake)] – Moon Se Young
2. Satya (KOR) [The Groom is Red – Fusaichi Suzuran (Thrill Show)] – Shin Hyoung Chul
3. Gayawangbi (KOR) [Duality – Silver Sonic Lady (Lot O’Gold)] – Yoo Seung Wan
Distances: 1.25 lengths and 4 lengths

Horse Racing Ireland Trophy Race – Seoul Race Park – Oct 4, 2008 – 1800M

1. Best Fusion (KOR) [Didyme – Morning Red Sky (Chisos)] – Kim Hyo Seob
2. First Flower (KOR) [Happy Jazz Band – Makemeanactress (Noactor)] – Yang Hee Jin
3. Gwacheonhwalbo (KOR) [Social Charter – Pyramid Sky (Mark In The Sky)] – Shin Hyoung Cheol
Distances: 4 lengths and 2.5 lengths

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

King Kephalos Reigns in MJC

Second favourite King Kephalos held off the challenge of the fast finishing Hardride to take the KRW 68 Million first prize in the Macau Jockey Club Trophy at Busan Race Park this afternoon. Kim Eu Su kept the Japanese bred gelding comfortably in the middle of the field throughout the early stages of the mile-long race and the three year old King Kephalos hit the front inside the final furlong to win by half a length, with White Bull a further two lengths back in third. In an open betting race, Cheonji Yeonseung was sent off the 4.5 favourite, but the Toshio Uchida ridden three year old colt could only manage fifth.

The day was not without its successes for Uchida, however, as the rider, who recently agreed to extend his contract at Busan until January, picked up four winners including on Scramble in the day’s feature handicap.

MJC Trophy – Busan Race Park – Oct.3 2008, 1600 metres

1. King Kephalos (JPN) [King Glorious – Western Edge (Woodman)] – Kim Eu Su
2. Hardride (USA) [Colony Light – Lametta (Lomond)] – Yoo Hyun Myoung
3. White Bull (USA) [Holy Bull – Broad N’ Every Port (Broad Brush)] – Kazayuki Watase
Distances: 0.5 lengths and 2.5 lengths

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Korean trainer set for Breeders’ Cup

“So, who is Myung Kwon Cho?” asked the racing blog Foolish Pleasure on Sunday after the 2 year old colt Street Hero won the G1 Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita for the little known owner/trainer. It turns out that Cho is a 66 year old Korean who emigrated to the United States in 1978. He set up a clothing business and when it became successful started to own – and later train – racehorses. Read the Foolish Pleasure article here. Street Hero will go on to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Video of Sunday’s race can be seen at bloodhorse.com.

Jockey’s Challenge Headlines International Week

Black and Thompson lead ROTW team / Five exchange races announced
The KRA is gearing up for its annual International Weekend which gets underway Friday at Busan Race Park and continues on Saturday and Sunday at Seoul Race Park. Highlight of the event is the International Jockey Challenge which takes place on Saturday and Sunday at Seoul. Five invited overseas jockeys will be in Seoul to represent the Rest of the World team against five local jockeys over four races, one on Saturday and three on Sunday. Making up the International team are:

Anthony Black (USA) – The winner of over 5000 races in a career that has spanned nearly thirty years. His biggest win came in the Pennsylvania Derby on Devil’s Honor in 1997.

Greg Cheyne (South Africa) – Eastern Cape Champion Cheyne has racked up nearly 1000 winners and won the Canon Gold Cup on Desert Links at Greyville in August.

Eddie Lai (Hong Kong) – The 32 year old won the Hong Kong Classic Mile in 2003 and the HSBC Premier Bowl in 2006.

Issei Murata (Japan) – Murata won the Negisi Stakes and Argentina Trophy last year.

Robert Thompson (Australia) – Thompson holds the record for the most wins ever by an Australian jockey and is only the fourth Australian in history to ride over 3000 winners.

Korea fields five jockeys who are at the top of the jockey’s championship this year. Veteran Park Tae Jong heads the team as usual and is joined by the only two jockeys ahead of him in the standings, Moon Se Young and Cho Kyoung Ho. Rounding out the team are Moon Jung Kyun and the in-form Choi Beom Hyun.

A first prize of $20,000 will go to the jockey who scores the most points over the weekend. Twenty points will be awarded for a win, 15 for a second place and then down in increments of three to sixth place. Last year, South African Gerrit Schlecter took the honours.

In addition to the Jockey’s Challenge, five International Exchange Races will also take place. Each with a first prize of KRW 53Million, the first will be the Macau Jockey Club race at Busan Race Park on Friday. Saturday sees races for the STC, the Australian Jockey Club and Horse Racing Ireland, while on Sunday, the JRA Trophy race takes centre stage. Two Malaysia based jockeys will also be over for the STC race, Ronald Woodworth and Harmeet Singh Gill. We’ll have a further preview of the big races once final cards are published later in the week.

KRA Cup Classic and Gyeongnam Governor’s videos online

Videos of yesterday’s two GIII races are now online. Fly Queen’s win in the KRA Cup Classic at Seoul Race Park and Wonder Love’s shock victory in the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup at Busan Race Park are both at Fallight’s Youtube page.

Fly Queen lands KRA Cup Classic as Wonder Love Shocks Busan

Wonder Love (38.8 ) galloped home to a shock win in the KRW 142 Million Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup Race at Busan Race Park. The six year old had spent much of the past year finishing third but he managed to overhaul another outsider, Gongnopae (29.4) in the final few metres for a three quarter length win. Favourite Golding (1.5), put in a blistering final furlong but could only make it up to third. However, the race was not without controversy as Namdo Choegang (34.3) fell as they rounded the final turn after colliding with Hangye Geukbok(5.8 ). Jo Sung Gon on Hangye Geukbok was deemed responsible and his horse disqualified. The surprise one-two paid an exacta of 1111.8. It was Gongnopae, under Kim Eu Soo, who had made most of the running but Han Sang Kyu brought Wonder Love through just at the right time to snatch the win.

Things went slightly more to form in the KRA Cup Classic at Seoul Race Park as third-favourite Fly Queen (4.8 ) came through the field late to record the win by two lengths. Park Tae Jong had kept the mare at the back of a field where the pace was made for much of the race by second favourite Pocketful Of Money. Also prominent at the front throughout the back straight were Galsaem and favourite, Top Point (2.4). Park asked his horse to go as they entered the home straight and although with a furlong to go he still had plenty to do, he finished pulling away. Also coming through from behind was Blue Dia (84.9), who managed to just grab second ahead of Top Point in third.

Gyeongnam Governer’s Cup GIII – Busan Race Park – 1800Metres – Sep. 28, 2008
1. Wonder Love (USA) [Wild Wonder – Love Spanish (Spanish Drums)] – Han Sang Kyu – 38.8
2. Gongnopae (USA) [Tiger Ridge – Riccio’s Best (Papa Riccio)] – Kim Eu Soo – 29.4
3. Golding (USA) [Gold Alert – Ritzy Lady (Kissin Kris)] – T. Uchida – 1.5
Distances:3/4 length, 1/2 length

KRA Cup Classic GIII – Seoul Race Park – 2000Metres – Sep. 28, 2008
1. Fly Queen (USA) [Exploit – Fully Approved (With Approval)] – Park Tae Jong – 4.8
2. Blue Dia (USA) [Ecton Park – Coastal Wave (Dixieland Band)] – Choi Jung Seob – 84.9
3. Top Point (KOR) [Tom Cruiser – Mooncello (Northen Baby)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 2.4
Distances: 1.75 lengths / Head

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Machine Gun Fires Again

Supernatural streak ends / Coleraine impresses
On a beautiful Autumn day at Seoul Race Park, Machine Gun followed up his defeat of Baekpa with victory in today’s feature by the narrowest of margins. In a frenetic race, Hwanggeum Mulgyeol (27.1) made the early pace, but it was Flying Cat (15.6) under Choi Beom Hyun who took over with two furlongs to go. It looked as though the eight year old had stolen a march on the favourites and would hold on for an unlikely win, however, the line wouldn’t come soon enough. Favourite Machine Gun (2.3) and Dashing Champ (6.9) had sat in the middle of the field throughout and Moon Se Young and Shim Seung Tae finally got going as they entered the final furlong. They caught Flying Cat with just a few metres left and crossed the line together. At first sight, it looked like Dashing Champ had it, but the photograph showed Machine Gun had taken the KRW 42Million prize on the nod.

After the unbeaten streaks of Shaving Points and Playing Politics were both ended at three, it was New Zealand import Supernatural’s turn to try and extend his to four in race 11. It wasn’t to be. The four year old gelding was sent off the slight favourite at 3.1 but was kept at the back of the field throughout. Jockey Park Soo Hong left himself a lot of work to do in the home straight and although Supernatural passed five horses in the final furlong he was never in the battle for the win. That battle was won by in style by second favourite Bold Magic (3.2) who streaked away from the field in the last furlong for a ninth length win from Last Dance Buddy (3.7).

Earlier, another New Zealand import, Coleraine had made it two from two with a comfortable wire to wire victory in race 4. The three year old looks ready for better company next time out. Race 2 was for unraced two year olds and Red Ball (2.8 ) justified his favourite status by romping to an eleven length win. Cruising away from the rest of the field with two furlongs remaining and eased by Yang Hee Jin long before the line, the colt will be one to watch in the domestic ranks over the next few months.

Ecton Cat (1.7) and Dangdanghan 2.2 secured their expected victories although both had to grind out one length wins in races 8 and 9 respectively, likewise Wangsan (1.4) in race 6 who had to work even harder, eventually holding on by a neck. There was, however, a remarkable result paying a 1861.9 exacta in race 6 as unfancied Kkum Ha Na (39.7) edged out extremely unfancied Fly Captain (110.0) in a blanket finish. With the third horse home, Useungcup, also untouched in the market at 60.1, more than one formguide found itself surplus to requirements as far as punters were concerned.

With temperatures hovering around the 20 degree mark, sunshine and a light breeze, conditions were as perfect as they get at Seoul. Similar is hoped for tomorrow with one of the biggest days on the calendar. Busan’s Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup Card gets underway at 12:40 at the southern track while in Seoul it’s KRA Cup Classic day with the first race at 11:20. Busan’s big race is off at 15:40 and Seoul’s at 17:05. Both tracks will be showing both races (see below for full previews).

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Seoul Weekend Preview – Intriguing line-up in KRA Cup Classic

Thirteen go in Cup Classic / Supernatural bids for fourth win
A first prize of KRW 103Million will go to the winner of Sunday’s KRA Cup Classic at Seoul Race Park. The handicap, open to foreign horses has attracted an eclectic mix of entires including locally bred mare Galsaem, who for the first time this year won’t be suffering from a restrictive weight. Also going is Top Point, a horse with nine wins from thirteen starts, however, it is Pocketful of Money who has won two out of her last three who has been handed the most weight. The big race is off at 17:05 on Sunday and is race 9 of an 11 race card which gets underway at 11:20. See below for a full list of runners, weights and riders for the KRA Cup Classic.

Saturday sees twelve races at Seoul with the first off at 11:20. Machine Gun makes his first appearance since his transition from old-stager to conqueror of Baekpa in the feature handicap at 16:50. Up against the six year old in a field of eleven over 2000 metres is Dashing Champ and Nujindo.

Perhaps the most watched race, however, will be race 11 a category 2 handicap for foreign bred horses where New Zealand bred Supernatural will be looking to go four for four. The gelding steps up to 1900 metres, 600 more than he has previously travelled and also a whole lot more in class. Amongst those facing him will be Captain Cugat, Mexicali Blues, South Darby and Last Dance Buddy.

In addition to racing at Seoul, there are cards at Busan on Friday and Sunday (see preview below) and at Jeju on Saturday and Sunday.

KRA Cup Classic G III (Handicap) – Seoul Race Park – 2000Metres – September 28, 2008, 17:05

1. Ginny’s Delight (USA) (18/1/2/5) – 52kg – Yoo Sang Wan
2. Powerful Runner (IRE) (27/4/2/4) – 52kg – Ji Ha Ju
3. Blue Dia (USA) (17/3/1/1) – 52kg – Choi Jung Seob
4. Princess Thumb (USA) (21/2/2/3) – 52kg – Lee Gi Hwoi
5. Fly Queen (USA) (26/5/5/9) – 55kg – Park Tae Jong
6. Serendipper (AUS) (11/3/3/1) – 54kg – Shin Hyoung Cheol
7. Seonju Jangsu (KOR) (35/5/10/3) – 51kg – Kim Dong Gyun
8. Galsaem (KOR) (33/16/9/4) – 55kg – Ikuyasu Kurakane
9. Hwanggeum Dwaeji (AUS) (14/1/5/2) – 53kg – Kim Hyo Seob
10. Big Land (USA) (33/2/3/7) – 52kg – Shim Seung Tae
11. Pocketful Of Money (USA) (22/7/7/4) – 58kg – Moon Se Young
12. Top Point (KOR) (14/9/1/2) – 56kg – Cho Kyoung Ho
13. U Seung Man Se (USA) (7/1/2/0) – 51kg) – Kim Ok Sung