Author: gyongmaman

Weekend Preview – Subsidy Goes for the Billion

Subsidy will take his second crack at breaking the Billion Won career prize money mark when he goes in Saturday’s feature at Seoul Race Park. The nine year old Subsidy [Mr. Prospector – Foreign Aid (Danzig)] needs only to finish in the first five to reach the landmark figure. In his thirty two race career, the gelding has only been out of the money twice, with eighteen wins to his name. Champion jockey Moon Se Young gets the ride in the 2000 metre handicap, which comes under orders at 17:15. Out to stop him is a field of nine including Noubeau Riche (12runs/6 wins) and Haengun Daewang (27/9).

Sunday’s big race at Seoul features Good Day (19/13) heading the weights and giving at least three kilos to the rest of a twelve strong field featuring Nujindo and old stager Flying Cat. Busan puts on cards on Friday and Sunday. Friday’s feature will see Yongdu Baram face off against Boryeong Bulbit while Sunday’s card has four of its six races open to overseas bred horses.

Busan Race Park

Friday January 16: 10 races, first post time 13:00
Sunday January 18: 6 races, first post time 12:30

Seoul Race Park

Saturday January 17: 12 races, first post time 11:10
Sunday January 18: 11 races, first post time 11:10

Jeju Race Park will hold pony racing on Saturday and Sunday with nine races and a first post time of 12:30 on both days. While temperatures in Seoul have been below freezing for exactly a week now, the weekend should see things getting better with temperatures between 5-9C. Busan will be even warmer but both tracks could see rain on Sunday.

Crafty Louis Easy Over Hardride

Geumbit Sesang & Bulpae Gisang stroll in / Hwangnyongsaji is back
A burst of speed at the furlong pole saw Crafty Louis run away with the feature race at Busan this afternoon. Busan Metropolitan winner Hardride started odds-on favourite and it was Sinsapung who set the early pace in the 2000 metre handicap. Well placed throughout Crafty Louis, winless since last April, was brought into contention by Kim Eu Soo as they turned for home hitting the front just before the furlong pole with Hardride just behind. This was where Hardride made his move in the Metropolitan but he didn’t have the legs to go with Crafty Louis who was five lengths clear on the line. Outsider Sweet Child edged out second favourite Bugyeong Choegang by a nose for third.

Earlier at Busan, Ikuyasu Kurakane has his first succes since relocating from Seoul. The Japanese rider partnered Gold Hunter to victory by three lengths in race 1. Daehan Dolpung took the day’s feature race for Korean bred horses. In a tight finish, the filly just outsprinted Yeonhap Jakjeon and King Rider. Very much in the shadow of fellow Didyme filly Jeolho Chance last year, Daehan Dolpung could not have made a better start to 2009.

In other races, three year old colt Geumbit Sesang made his second appearance and, moving up to six furlongs dominated race four to win by 12 lengths. With the race won a furlong out stewards issued a warning to jockey Jo Chang Wook for continuing to use the whip – for its part, the colt had the good sense to put Jo on the floor as they pulled up and make his own way back to the stables. Geumbit Sesang [Duality – Shawnee Sunset (True Colors)] will certainly be one to bear in mind as the season progresses.

At Seoul Race Park it was even colder than yesterday and a stiff breeze exacerbated conditions. Hwangnyongsaji took the afternoon’s big race, squeezing past Machine Gun in the final few strides for a half length win over 1900 metres. After making a promising start to his three year old season last year – including landing the New Year race at the correspnding meeting, Hwangnyongsaji was out of action through injury for seven months. After making a low key return last month, victory here means he will be an interesting addition to the big handicap ranks this year.

Earlier at Seoul, Bulpae Gisang made it four from four as he stepped up in both class and some considerable distance. Starting second favourite, he hunted down pacesetter Storm Feet, striking in the home straight and running on to win by three lengths. The three year old Bulpae Gisang [Lightnin N’Thunder – Neat Trick (Clever trick)] arrived in Korea last June and has yet to be seriously challenged.

Class 1 (Foreign-Bred) – Busan Race Park – 2000M – Jan 11, 2009

1. Crafty Louis (USA) [Louis Quatorze – Crafty Atlantic (Crafty Prospector)] – Kim Eu Soo – 8.5
2. Hardride (USA) [Colony Light – Lametta (Lomond)] – Lim Sung Sil – 1.9
3. Sweet Child (USA) [Sweetsouthernsaint – Nobody’s Secret (Alwasmi)] – Choi Si Dae – 86.7
Distances: 5 lengths/2 lengths – 10 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Triple Seven Hits Winning Line

Choi Beom Hyun does it again / Vicar Love stalls in the straight
After running close in both the Minister’s and President’s Cups last Autumn, Triple Seven made it into the Winner’s Circle in the New Year Commemorative Race at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Sent off favourite at 2.6, Choi Beom Hyun brought the four year old through with a late outside run to snatch a length and a half win from Wangson.

As the full field of fourteen broke, it was Rich Family, under Lee Jun Cheol who darted across from the outside stall to take the rail going into the first corner. The pack were content to let him lead through the back straight and turning for home he had four lengths on his nearest challenger. Inevitably he couldn’t maintain it and with a furlong to go, Best Fusion took things up with the three year old gelding Tu Won, of whom big things are expected this year, also well placed. However, neither were prepared for Choi’s late run on Triple Seven. For Choi, it was a case of starting the New Year as he finished the old one with a similar late run on Dongbanui Gangja in the Grand Prix still fresh in the memory.

Seoul’s first day of racing in 2009 started off with a shock as Love For Ever, sent off at 1.1, could only manage fourth in race 1. Most punters continued to take a hammering as favourite after favourite went down. There was a notable performance by the the Boo Min Ho ridden Gangho in race 4, taking a seven length win on his racecourse debut with hot favourite Necromancer never involved. Indeed it took until Triple Seven in race 10 for a favourite to be successful.

Making a quick return following his disappointing showing in the Grand Prix, Vicar Love was sent off favourite in a competitive handicap over 2000 metres in race 11. He led early and looked to have the race won heading into the final furlong but it was not to be as he began to tie up allowing Seoul Teukgeup to swoop and take his second consecutive class 1 victory with Baekjeonmupae grabbing second ahead of a clearly tired Vicar Love.

While Kim Cheol Ho had the honour of taking victory in the year’s opener, Park Byoung Yun and Moon Jung Kyun both managed to secure two wins to lead an early jockey’s championship. Champion Moon Se Young was winless.

While temperatures at Seoul may never have made it above -6, there was at least bright sunshine throughout. Down on Jeju Island, overnight snow was added to by constant flurries throughout the day. In Jeju’s New Year race, second favourite Hanramyeongseng started quickly and was never in any danger of being caught as he sprinted to a two length win.

Tomorrow Seoul comes under orders at 11:10 for the first of eleven races. Busan and Jeju both get underway at 12:30 with six and nine races respectively.

New Year’s Race – Seoul Race Park – Jan 10, 2009 – 1800M

1. Triple Seven (KOR) [The Groom is Red – Impudence (Grand Lodge)] – Choi Beom Hyun – 2.6
2. Wangson (KOR) [Distilled – Eastern Tide (Far Out East)] – Kim Young Jin – 20.0
3. Tu Won (KOR) [Orientate – Sharp Eyed (Danzero)] – Oh Kyoung Hoan – 5.2
Distances: 1.25 lengths/0.5 lengths – 14 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Weekend Preview – Come Racing!

New Year Commemorative Race / Iku debuts at Busan
The 2009 Korean Horse Racing season will get underway Friday with a ten race card at Busan Race Park. Seoul and Jeju are up on Saturday and then all three tracks will host a card on Sunday:

Busan Race Park

Friday January 9: Ten races, first post time 13:00.

Sunday January 11: Six races with the first at 12:30. Feature race sees Metropolitan winner Hardride up against Crafty Louis and Bugyeong Choegang over 2000 metres.

Seoul Race Park

Saturday January 10: Twelve races, first post at 11:10. Seoul kicks off its 2009 with the annual “New Year Commemorative” race. The class 2 handicap attracts a full field of 14 headed by Tu Won. On a remarkable run of six straight victories, the youngest horse in the race will face a stiff challenge from Triple Seven, third in the President’s Cup last time out and arguably the best of Seoul’s three year olds last year. Also going are Best Fusion, winner of the HRI Trophy and unbeaten in his last three as well as the always dangerous Free Woody and Indiana Dream. Right after the New Year race, Vicar Love will return looking to make amends for his disappointing showing in the Grand Prix last month. Dropping back to 2000 metres, he’s among a field of nine including Baekjeonmupae, Saerounbisul and Seoul Teukgeup.

Sunday January 11: Eleven races with the first under orders at 11:10. Last year’s New Year’s race winner Hwangnyonsaji makes an appearance in the day’s main race. He’ll have his work cut out against a host of old-stagers including Dashing Champ, Machine Gunand Best Condition. In an earlier race, New Zealand import Coleraine, who won his first three outings but disappointed stepping up in class and distance last time, will get another chance over 1900 metres.

Jeju Race Park hosts pony racing on both Saturday and Sunday. On both days the first of nine comes under orders at 12:30. Jeju hosts its own New Year race on Saturday where the remarkable Baengnokgunji will carry 67kg for a 900 metre dash.

It’s going to be a cold weekend with temperatures in Seoul unlikely to get above freezing all weekend. If it gets warm enough, there’s a chance of snow on Sunday. Busan will be chilly but nowhere near as cold and accordingly the risk for Sunday is that of rain.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Bye Bye Uchida

Champion jockey leaves early / Ikuyasu to go to Busan
Busan Race Park’s first cards of 2009 have been published and one notable absentee is 2008 Champion Jockey Toshio Uchida. The Japanese star has returned to his homeland a week before his contract at Busan officially expires. Uchida has indicated that he wishes to return to Korea in May and that he needs to spend time in Japan to ensure his riding license there can be renewed.

The news comes as a disappointment to punters throughout the peninsula. In his short time at Busan, Uchida has demonstrated the impact a truly top class jockey can have on a horse and has set a standard that local jockeys can aspire to. Having said that, it is unlikely that any of them will miss his presence in the winner’s circle. Whether he will actually return after such a long break though, be it to Busan or even to Seoul, is anyone’s guess.

Ikuyasu Kurakane will relocate from Seoul to Busan with immediate effect, making his debut on Friday partnering Beongae Boy in the feature handicap. Another Japanese rider, Eiki Nishimura has had his contract renewed, despite his current ban for failing a breath test but he, like both Uchida and Kurakane, will need to return to Japan at some point in the near future to renew his license.

Deryl Daniels is not expected back at Busan. Another South African, Petrus Botha, has a license but is yet to arrive in Korea, the jockey seemingly having second thoughts. A third South African also looks to be on the cards over the next month or so. Uchida leaves a hard act to follow, however, and punters will be missing “Mr Pink” when the first race of 2009 comes under orders at one ‘o clock on Friday afternoon.

Quinella Takeout Cut For 2009

The KRA has announced that 2009 will see a slight reduction in Pari-Mutuel takeout for Quinella bets. The dividend for Quinella, Exacta and Quinella Place will rise 1% from 72% to 73%. Dividends in the win and place pools will remain unchanged at 80%. Although tax is the same at 18% in all the pools, the KRA takes much more commission from the quinella pools.

As an illustration of the kind of money involved, on the last day of racing in 2008 last Sunday, a total of KRW 59,726,125,000 (US$45,185,054.53 at current exchange rates) was gambled on the twelve races at Seoul Race Park alone. The vast majority of this – 90% or more in most races – was on one of the three quinella bets.

New Season Seven Days Away

The 2009 Korean Racing season will get underway at Busan Race Park next Friday, January 9. As in 2008, Busan will have things to itself each Friday before the action moves to Seoul and Jeju on Saturdays. On Sundays, all three tracks will run cards. There will be racing every week except on the Lunar New Year holiday at the end of January and Korean Thanksgiving (Chuseok) in the first week of October. There will also be a one week Mid-Summer break at the end of July. The season finishes on Sunday December 20.

A return to night racing is scheduled from mid-July to mid-August. On these days, cards usually start in mid afternoon and run until 9pm. In 2008, the entire night racing program was cancelled and the races run during the day instead due to record high fuel prices. It was the first time in twenty years that night racing didn’t take place.

FULL 2009 RACING SCHEDULE

Myeongmun Gamun is Horse of the Year

2008 Review Part 2: The Horses
Myeongmun Gamun won the Horse of the Year award for 2008 but while the Seoul based seven year old gelding was the top money earner of the year, it was Busan horses who dominated the three year old ranks, winning all the classics. In his fourth season, Myeongmun Gamun was imperious. A reversal at the hands of the filly Baekpa was the only setback prior to his second consecutive third place finish in the Grand Prix race where again, he was the first domestically bred horse home. Highlight of the year was his retention of the President’s Cup in November when he broke through the billion won prize money mark.

Outstanding filly of the year was Busan based Jeolho Chance. Running against males in all but her Oaks victory, she was only narrowly defeated by Gaseon Janngun in the final strides of the Minister’s Cup in October. For Gaeseon Janggun, that victory came after running second in both the KRA Cup Mile and the Derby. The Derby itself was run on a saturated track and rank outsider Ebony Storm took the honours but hasn’t won since. Cup Mile winner Rainmaker also subsequently disappointed and is now out injured until at least March. Prolific winner of the year at Busan was Areumdaun Jilju. The four year old harvested big handicaps throughout the year and is possibly the most feared horse on the peninsula right now.

The absence of any domestically bred three year olds in Seoul’s top ten speaks volumes about the dismal three year old crop at the track this year. For the imports, Dongbanui Gangja finally came through in the Grand Prix to leap into second place overall for the year and become Korea’s top imported horse. Through Jeolho Chance and Areumdaun Jilju, Didyme is sire of the year and his sire, Dixieland Band is also the damsire of the other two in Busan’s top four.

Seoul Race Park – Top Horses 2008
1. Myeongmun Gamun (KOR) [Future Quest – Guided Dancer (Incinderator)] G 7 – 7/5/1/1
2. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)] C 3 – 9/5/3/1
3. Baekpa (KOR) [Revere – Grey Crest (Gold Crest)] F 4 – 10/2/3/0
4. Namchonuijijon (KOR) (Concept Win – Intriga (Lord At Law)] H 4 – 9/3/3/0
5. Secret Weapon (KOR) [Native Regent – Aheadofthetimes (Gold Alert)] H 5 – 9/6/0/0
6. Top Point (KOR) [Tom Cruiser – Mooncello (Northern Baby)] F 4 – 7/5/0/1
7. Good Day (KOR) [Double Honor – Fanciest (Lear Fan)] H 4 – 8/4/2/1
8. Geumsuni (KOR) [Big Sur – Monster (Waikiki Star)] F 4 – 10/3/3/0
9. Saerounbisul (NZ) [Danske – Miss Golly (Casual Lies)] G 4 – 9/2/2/3
10. Bally Brae (USA) [Yarrow Brae – Political Bluff (Unaccounted For)] G 6 – 7/2/3/1

Busan Race Park – Top Horses 2008
1. Gaeseon Janggun (KOR) [Duality – Diamond Star (Dixieland Band)] C 3 – 8/3/3/0
2. Jeolho Chance (KOR) [Didyme – Harboring (Boston Harbor)] F 3 – 9/3/1/1
3. Ebony Storm (KOR) [Buster’s Daydream – Sorority Jazz (Dixieland Band) C 3 – 11/3/2/2
4. Areumdaun Jilju (KOR) [Didyme – Chills of Nepal (Nepal) H 4 – 9/7/2/0
5. Rainmaker (KOR) [Revere – Wandering Katie (Tejano)] C 3 – 10/3/1/1
6. Hardride (USA) [Colony Light – Lametta (Lomond)] G 3 – 11/4/2/0
7. Wonder Love (USA) [Wild Wonder – Love Spanish (Spanish Drums)] H 6 – 9/1/2/4
8. Boryeong Bulbit (KOR) [Revere – Windy Ruki (Wind and Wuthering)] G 4 – 11/5/1/2
9. Yongdu Baram (KOR) [Our Poetic Prince – Leave The Nest (Euclase)] G 4 – 12/5/2/1
10. Florida Native(USA) [Kissin Kris – Binndiana (Jose Binn)] H 4 – 11/3/3/1

Over The Moon

2008 Review Part 1: Jockeys
Moon Se Young was yesterday crowned 2008 Champion jockey at Seoul Race Park having completed the season with a record breaking 128 winners. The 28 year old Moon finished 31 ahead of his closest rival and former record holder Park Tae Jong. Although his days as Champion may be over, it was still another solid season from Park Tae Jong. The 43 year old is approaching his 10,000th ride (no mean feat in a country where they race only twice a week) and 1500th winner. In October Park won the Seoul International Jockeys’ challenge.

Seoul Jockeys’ Championship 2008 – Final Standings

1. Moon Se Young – 128
2. Park Tae Jong – 97
3. Cho Kyoung Ho – 91
4. Choi Beom Hyun – 81
5 = Ikuyasu Kurakane; Kim Hyo Seob – 44

Yoo Seung Wan was top apprentice with 31 winners and looks set to ride out his claim soon. Of the newcomers this year, Lee Sang Hyeok finishes on top with 7 wins plus a ride in the Grand Prix race to his name.

At Busan, the remarkable Toshio Uchida only arrived in Korea in May but that was plenty of time for “Mr Pink” to comfortably take the title with 69 wins and a win rate of 22%. Uchida received a raucous reception from punters when he ventured to Seoul for the Minister’s Cup in October and there have been persistant rumours that Seoul may be his next destination. Four winners last Friday saw Chae Gyu Jun into second spot, one ahead of Yoo Hyun Myoung. Chae will have plenty of time to reflect on his success in the new year, as in just about the only race he didn’t win on Friday, he managed to pick up a six meeting ban.

Busan Jockeys’ Championship 2008 – Final Standings

1. Toshio Uchida – 69
2. Chae Gyu Jun – 55
3. Yoo Hyun Myoung – 54
4. Ahn Sun Ho – 43
5. Jo Chan Hoon – 40

It was a mixed year for overseas riders. At Seoul, the Japanese pair of Ikuyasu Kurakane and Nozomu Tomizawa, both extended their contracts to see the year out and finished on 44 and 32 wins respectively. At Busan, aside from Uchida, Kazuyuki Watase performed reasonably well in his short spell during the summer. After three months his contract wasn’t renewed, however, and Eiki Nishimura was brought in to replace him. Nishimura has four winners so far but is currently sidelined after failing a random breath test.

For the non-Japanese riders, it was not a good year. Danny Craven completed a solid nine months, returning to Australia in July, however, South African Chris Taylor returned home after only a month. Another South African, Deryl Daniels made a creditable start to his stint at Busan but left Korea for a break towards the end of November and it is looking unlikely he will return. While it was sad to see those jockeys unable to do themselves justice, no one bemoaned the loss of Willie Uys who lasted one day and is best forgotton. The KRA continues to advertise for overseas jockeys (see below) and has received some interest. However, the departing jockeys have all spoken of the difficulties faced by overseas riders, the language, the schooling of the horses and, most fundamentally for a jockey on a freelance contract, the lack of rides they received

Jeju Race Park based Na Yoo Na was the most successful female jockey, notching 24 wins, one ahead of Kim Joo Hee. Lee Shin Young at Seoul landed 9 wins early in the year before having her season ended by injury but it was a year to forget for Lee Ae Li who managed just 3. Park Jin Hee at Busan finished the year with 16.

* Overseas jockeys wishing to apply to ride in Korea can download the relevant forms from the KRA’s English website. Click Here for details and here for the application form.

Dangdae Stars Over the Distance

Taebaek Janggun edges Namchonuijijon / Moon crowned Champion
On the final race day of the 2008 season, Dangdae Star was victorious over Busan Race Park’s longest distance. Starting second favourite, the New Zealand bred gelding was quick to show towards the front of the field of 12 iin the 2200 metre race. The early pace was set by Hidden Hero and Crafty Louis but as they rounded the final turn, Toshio Uchida made his move on Dangdae Star and they were quickly in front. Favourite Hwanggeumbit Taeyang had been sitting comfortably in the middle of the pack and his move, when it came wasn’t enough to match Dangdae Star who ran on for his ninth career win with four lengths to spare.

At Seoul Race Park, things were slightly closer in the feature as Taebaek Janggun thwarted Namchonuijijon’s late run to claim his third straight win and his first against top class opposition. The five year old gelding hit the front as the field exited the back straight, pulling away as they rounded the final turn. As the likes of Geumsuni, Ugildongja and Balhaejanggun failed to mount a challenge it was Namchonuijijon, this year’s Ttukseom Cup winner and thir favourite here who came from the back of the field to almost snatch victory, denied on the line by a head.

Moon Se Young was crowned Champion jockey in a ceremony after race 7 and the 28 year old added to his record breaking haul earlier in the day on the promising two year old colt Strong Hug. The US import arrived in Korea in June and cantered to his second win by eight lengths in race 1. Meanwhile, back down at Busan it was an imported two year old filly taking things easy as Lana De Free went two for two.

So that’s it for 2008. Later in the week, we’ll take a look back at the year and, of course, a look forward to 2009 – the new season is just days away!

Class 1 (Foreign bred) – Busan Race Park – 2200M – Dec 28, 2008

1. Dangdae Star (NZ) [Danske – Joie De Chine (Racing is Fun)] – T. Uchida – 3.6
2. Hwanggeumbit Taeyang (AUS) [Real Quiet – No Flirting (Danzero)] – Gu Young Jun – 2.9
3. Admiral Reigart (USA) [General Royal – Entoria (Stop The Music)] – Kim Eu Su – 10.6
Distances: 4 lengths/0.5 lengths – 12 ran

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN