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Champion Jockey Over The Moon Again

Moon Se Young Wins Seoul Jockey Championship While Jo Sung Gon is the Stand-Out Winner at Busan

Moon Se Young has regained the title of Champion jockey at Seoul Race Park. The 31 year-old took the honour in 2008 and looked set to dominate for the forseeable future but a fall in 2009 and a lengthy suspension towards the end of last season saw him lose out until now. Even this time, injury saw him miss the final week of the season, allowing nearest – and only rival, Cho Kyoung Ho to close the gap at the top to just five wins.

Champion again: Moon Se Young

With Jo In Kwen in third place in only his third full season, the weighing room at Seoul is becoming ever more competitive. Kim Hae Sun becomes the first female rider to finish the season in the top ten and looks set to become go on to become a top-tier jockey.

Just outside the top ten, in eleventh place, was Jang Chu Yeol, who would surely have finished higher had he not recently spent six weeks in the USA where he became the first Korean-based jockey to ride a winner. He’ll be one to watch next year.

Also to watch will be Seo Seung Un who landed 12 wins in his first three months as a licensed jockey – a record. While Moon Se Young is on top at the moment, the next few seasons look sure to see a real changing of the guard in the winners’ circle.

Seoul Racecourse Jockey Championship 2011

1. Moon Se Young – 105
2. Cho Kyoung Ho – 100
3. Jo In Kwen – 70
4. Park Tae Jong – 68
5. Choi Bum Hyun – 61
6. Jung Ki Yong – 48
7. Oh Kyoung Hoan – 45
8. Moon Jung Kyun – 45
9. Shin Hyoung Chul – 38
10. Kim Hae Sun – 29

While the future looks very bright at Seoul, it’s difficult to say the same for Busan where the young jockeys coming through do not look to be of the same calibre. However, that takes nothing away from champion Jo Sung Gon who breezed to the title. Jo is head and shoulders above any other Korean rider at Busan although if the combined winners this year of Toshio Uchida (58) and his replacement Nathan Stanley (17) are taken into account, the foreigners ran him close (more on the foreign riders next week).

Jo Sung Gon was the runaway winner of the Busan Jockey Title

Life at Busan is pretty comfortable for him but Jo has previously indicated a desire to come to Seoul where he would face more competition for the big rides. An exchange program was mooted earlier this year and Cho Kyoung Ho was reportedly interested in going in the other direction. Nothing came of it but it is something that looks likely to be revisited in 2012.

Behind him Chae Gyu Jun had a solid season which included two big Stakes wins at Seoul while Kim Dong Young had a breakout year in third. You Hyun Myung’s season was disrupted by injury but he still ended in fourth, while fifth placed Park Geum Man ended the year reunited with former boss Peter Wolsley and if this continues in 2012, he may well have a better year:

Busan Racecourse Jockey Championship 2011

1. Jo Sung Gon – 84
2. Chae Gyu Jun – 66
3. Kim Dong Young – 55
4. You Hyun Myung – 49
5. Park Geum Man – 47
6. Choi Si Dae – 44
7. Lim Sung Sil – 28
8. Akane Yamamoto – 28
9. Jo Chang Wook – 27
10. Jo Chan Hoon – 22

The pony colony on Jeju Island saw the closest race of the three tracks and ultimately it was veteran rider Kim Yong Seob who came out on top:

Jeju Racecourse Jockey Championship 2011

1. Kim Yong Seob – 63
2. Jang Woo Sung – 60
3. Jeon Hyun Joon – 55
4. Hwang Tae Sun – 49
5. Moon Jung Ho – 45

Exploit is Leading Sire in Korea 2011

It came down to the last day of the season but while Menifee’s colt Magnifique won Seoul’s big race to close the gap to just a few thousand dollars, Exploit is the Leading Sire in Korea 2011.

Exploit - Leading SIre 2011

It’s a first Leading Sire crown for the fifteen year old who came to Korea in 2005. He finished seventh on the earnings list last year but, with more runners on the track than any other sire in the country, this year he was always best placed to succeed Creek Cat as champion.

However, with Menifee and Vicar in second and third – despite them both only having two crops of foals of racing age – in what was the closest race in years, it is likely to be a short reign for Exploit.

While Menifee and Vicar held a near monopoly on the three-year old classics, a year behind them is Forest Camp. He was by far and away the leading first-crop sire and also walks of with the title of leading sire of two-year olds. Ecton Park and Peace Rules are both due on stream soon and will be followed by the likes of Officer. The future is looking bright for breeding here.

American bred stallions accounted for none of the top ten money-earners with the Japanese Biwa Shinseiki occupying the final spot, due mainly to the continuing exploits of Dangdae Bulpae.

Leading Sires In Korea 2011 (Name/Pedigree/Owner/Earnings in Korean Won/Chief Earner)

1. Exploit (USA) [Storm Cat – My Turbulent Miss (My Dad George)] – (KRA) – 3,339,327,000 – Champion Belt
2. Menifee (USA) [Harlan-Anne Campbell (Never Bend)] – KRA – 3,333,776,000 – Useung Touch
3. Vicar (USA) [Wild Again-Escrow Agent (El Gran Senor)] – KRA – 3,248,167,000 – Dongseo Jeongbeol
4. Creek Cat (USA) [Storm Cat – Vivano (Island Whirl)] – (Evergreen Farm) – 2,980,533,000 – Cheonnyeon Daero
5. Concept Win (USA) [Manila – Conveniently (In Reality)] – (Korea Mainland Horse Breeders’ Association) – 2,674,959,000 – Hongji
6. War Zone (USA) [Danzig – Proflare (Mr. Prospector) – (KRA) – 2,201,102,000 – Black Ruby
7. Volponi (USA) [Cryptoclearance – Prom Night (Sir Harry Lewis)] (Korean Mainland Horse Breeders’ Association) – 2,045,542,000 – Crown Flag
8. Ft. Stockton (USA) [Cure The Blues – Tai The Devil (Tai)] (KRA) – 1,918,536,000 – Cheonun
9. Didyme (USA) [Dixieland Band – Soundings (Mr. Prospector)] – (KRA) – 1,915,015,000 – Mupae Star
10. Biwa Shinseiki (JPN) [Forty Niner – Oceana (Northern Dancer)] – (Kim Chong Sik) – 1,710,714,000 – Dangdae Bulpae

* Five registered stallions passed away in Korea this year. They were Yankee Victor (USA), Ft. Stockton (USA), The Groom Is Red (USA), Tayasu Meadow (JPN) and Air Smap (IRE).

Ft. Stockton sired the 2007 Korean Triple Crown winner JS. Hold while the best horse by The Groom Is Red was the hugely popular Classic winner Baekgwang.

Grand Prix: The Final Rundown

The Grand Prix Stakes is the highlight of the Korean racing year. It’s not the most valuable race but it is unquestionably the best. This year, we have the defending champion Mister Park, looking to stretch his unbeaten run to 18, an Australian trainer looking to make Korean racing history, and a two-year old who, if he is as good as his hype, could be the best thing we’ve seen on the peninsula for years.

Grand Prix Champion: Mister Park

It’s going to be cold but it’s free entry to Seoul Race Park tomorrow and there should be 60,000 in attendance for what is going to be an absolute belter of a race. Here’s the rundown on all the contenders with pedigrees, age, home track, race records and jockey:

Grand Prix Stakes (KOR G1) – Seoul Race Park – 2300M – Sunday December 11, 16:35

1. Yeonseung Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat-Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] Horse, 5, Busan (37/15/7/5) – Choi Si Dae
A really nice horse who would have a far better win record had his connections not been sportsmen and always run him in the most competitive company possible. Third in this race last year and winner of the Busan Metropolitan this summer but has put in three disappointing runs since. He can never be ruled out and could be a value bet.

2. Queen Of Rain (USA) [Lion Heart-Prosperous Move (Arch)] Filly, 3, Busan (13/4/2/3) – Song Keong Yun
The only filly in the race is tough to recommend. She was a well beaten fourth in the Gyeongnam Sinmun last month and is in far stronger company here.

3. Tough Win (USA) [Yonaguska-Maggie May’s Sword (Sword Dance)] Gelding, 4, Seoul (17/13/2/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho
Last year’s favourite didn’t get the distance and in his last Stakes race got sucked into a ridiculous speed duel into the first corner with Dangdae Bulpae which left both of them exhausted, handing victory to Yeonseung Daero. He’s back in winning form though and, while the distance remains a concern, he’ll be among the top three in the betting for good reason.

4. Smarty Moonhak (USA) [Smarty Jones-Maderia M’Dear (Black Tie Affair)] Colt, 2, Seoul (5/4/1/0) – Shim Seung Tae
The wildcard. A two-year old has never even run in the Grand Prix, let alone won it. We knew Smarty Moonhak was a little different to most imports who win a few races easily as a juvenile when he trotted up in the TJK Trophy last month but jaws dropped when he was entered for the Grand Prix. He’s worked well and connections are adamant that the distance is no problem and he’s ready. It’s a big test for jockey Shim Seung Tae because if Smarty Moonhak does indeed stay the distance, things are going to get very interesting. A potential superstar, there’s no downside to this colt. Except that he is two.

5. Cheonnyeon Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat-Doneitmyway (Northen Flagship)] Colt, 4, Busan (27/7/14/3) – Park Geum Man
This will be the final race for the 2010 Korean Derby winner before he is retired to stud. The trouble with him is that he keeps on coming second – he’s been runner-up in his last five races. He’s a very good bet to be second again but winning may be pushing it. If he did, however, it would be a fine finale to a very fine career.

6. Tamna Ace (KOR) [Thunder Gulch-Eacape (A.P. Indy)] Colt, 3, Busan (12/9/2/0) – Kim Dong Young
A good solid performer, while he’s got the stamina, he perhaps hasn’t got the speed that will be needed at the end of this race. A placing chance. He’ll likely make the early running so will certainly have a big impact on the outcome of the race.

7. Gippeun Sesang (CAN) [Behrens-Bellus (Saint Ballado)] Horse, 5, Seoul (40/4/4/4) – Choi Bum Hyun
Not a whole lot to recommend this one. Has been in poor form since winning a handicap in Septemebr and on paper is the weakest of all entrants.

8. Triple Sinhwa (KOR) [Capital Spending-Claudia’s Secret (Crafty Prospector)] Colt, 4, Busan (20/6/7/2) – Lee Sung Jae
A perennial placer, Triple Sinhwa will be hard pushed to achieve that here. Second to 2008 Derby Winner Ebony Storm last time out, the competition should be too strong.

9. Mister Park (KOR) [Ecton Park-Formal Deal (Formal Gold)] Gelding, 4, Busan (18/17/0/1) – Akane Yamamoto
The defending Champion. The favourite. He’s won his last 17 races, a Korean record but this is his toughest test. Akane Yamamoto has the chance to become to the first foreign jockey to win the Grand Prix and she’ll have to be at her best here. Mister Park likes to start quickly so it will be important that he doesn’t get sucked into an early speed battle. Get this right and in the home straight, he has all the weapons needed to become the third horse to win two Grand Prixs and take that record to eighteen unbeaten.

10. Yodongjewang (KOR) [Field Asuka-Mary Wonder (Shahrastani)] Colt, 4, Seoul (14/5/4/1) – Moon Se Young
A late developer, this is his first ever start at class 1. However, he should find himself outclassed here.

11. Jumong (USA) [Johar-Foreign Aid (Danzig)] Colt, 4, Seoul (24/8/4/4) – Jo In Kwen
He’s the half-brother of 2005 winner – the legendary Subsidy, last son of Mr Prospector, who cut his teeth on the inner-dirt at Aqueduct in New York before being brought to Korea to be a champion – but Jumong is a decent horse in his own right. The distance counts against him and there are others with better claims – he was well beaten by Ace Galloper in the KRA Cup Classic – but there may be some place value.

12. Dongseo Jeongbeol (KOR) [Vicar-Rendexvous Bay (Wonderloaf)] Colt, 3, Busan (13/7/1/0) – Chae Gyu Jun
That he’s the only three-year old Classic winner to make it to the Grand Prix isn’t his fault. However, it’s been a disappointing year for Korean bred three-year olds. He looked to be flying as they turned for home in the President’s Cup at Seoul last month but he ended up finishing almost last. It would be a big surprise if he returned to form here.

13. Gyeongkwaehanjilju (KOR) [Tapit-Cozzie Maxine (Cozzene)] Colt, 4, Busan (15/9/3/0) – Kim Nam Sung
Peter Wolsley has the chance to become the first foreign trainer to saddle a Grand Prix winner. The best horse Wolsley has trained in Korea, Gyeongkwaehanjilju is in great form and will love the distance. While he would be easier to bet had intended jockey Nathan Stanley not been suspended and had Jo Sung Gon, his previous regular rider, come to Seoul. Nevertheless, Wolsley’s stable jockey Kim Nam Sung gets the biggest chance of his career so far.

14. Ace Galloper (KOR) [Chapel Royal-Explicitly (Exploit)] Colt, 4, Seoul (21/15/3/1) – Park Tae Jong
The KRA Cup Classic winner and one of Mister Park’s biggest threats. The distance is a concern but the talent isn’t. If he’s there at the end, he’ll be very difficult to beat.

Gyongmaman’s verdict: Mister Park must be favourite to successfully defend his title and must be the pick for the win. Smarty Moonhak is the one to watch as a racing fan for the great story it would be but is not one to bet as a hard-hearted punter. The same is true of Gyeongkwaehanjilju. The value may lie with Yeonseung Daero.

Inoue Debuts With A Winner

Veteran Japanese jockey Toshihiko Inoue made the perfect start to his time in Korea, scoring a victory on his debut at Seoul Race Park today.

The 47 year old has notched over 1500 winners in a career dating back to 1983 and comes to Seoul Race Park on an initial four-month license.

Inoue had six rides today and started off by scoring a shock second place in race 1 on 30/1 outsider Huimang Daejakjeon. His win came in race 7, when he drove home 7/1 chance Gigomamnjang by a neck in a tight finish.

Inoue joins fellow Japanese riders Makoto Noda and Mai Beppu at Seoul. Noda has had a tough time, landing 6 wins from 258 rides while Beppu – who has proved popular with the local trainers (not to mention certain top jockeys) has scored 13 from 236, including one today.

Down at Busan where the locals are generally more amenable to foreogn riders, Eiki Nishimura and Akane Yamamoto are both enjoying successful spells. Akane will be in Seoul on Sunday to ride Mister Park in the Grand Prix Stakes.

Inoue has a further five rides on Sunday.

Thirty Years Of The Grand Prix

While other races may carry more prize money, in terms of honour and prestige, the Grand Prix Stakes is second to none in Korea. It’s a race that has had movies named after it and is, perhaps, the only domestic horse race to register in the national consciousness.

Mister Park - Defending Grand Prix Champion

Sunday sees the 30th edition of the race. It’s young in international terms, but in a country where the private ownership of racehorses – and therefore prize money and big Stakes races – go back less than two decades, it is positively venerable. With race fans invited to vote on which horses they want to see in the starting gate, it is the undisputed Championship race in Korea. There is no question of the best horses trying to avoid each other as there is nowhere else to go. In the Grand Prix, the best face the best.

This is because whereas the Classics are restricted to Korean bred entrants, the Grand Prix is open to all. Indeed in the previous 29 editions, home-bred horses have ended up in the winner’s circle just four times (including Mister Park who . Fillies or mares have won the race five times with Ka Shock Do taking back-to-back wins in 1990 and 1991.

The origin of the winners also shows the change in influence on Korean racing. Throughout the eighties and nineties, the vast majority of horses imported to Korea were from the Southern Hemisphere. This is reflected by Australian or New Zealand breds winning thirteen of the first sixteen runnings, compared with just one American. Since the turn of the century, the majority of imports have come from the USA and American breds have won six out of the last eight editions.

As recently as 1999, a non-thoroughbred was triumphant. Saegangja was by the established sire Fiercely, however, his dam Chuk Je, was not in the studbook. That won’t happen again as year on year, Korean racing gradually becomes more mature.

Last year’s winner Mister Park is likely to contend favouritism for this year’s race with Ace Galloper (Chapel Royal), another born in Korea after his pregnant dam was imported. The breeding stock in Korea is getting better and better and so are the resulting racehorses.

This year, while a couple of big names sit out – Dangdae Bulpae didn’t get the the distance last year while the unbeaten Lion Santa’s connections also believe their colt is not a 2300 metre horse, there are still plenty of potential stories among the potential winners.

It could be defending champion Mister Park, the impressive Tough Win and Ace Galloper, gutsy Yeonseung Daero, the retiring Cheonnyeon Daero or the two-year old phenom Smarty Moonhak. Also Peter Wolsley becomes the first foreign trainer to saddle a horse in the race as his Gyeongkwaehanjilu takes his chance – if the others beat themselves on the first corner, he just may be the one to benefit.

On Sunday Mister Park will seek to join Dongbanui Gangja, Ka Shock Do and the great Po Gyeong Seon as double winners of the race. He’s also looking to maintain the longest consecutive winning streak in Korean racing history. He’s got a massive task on his hands to prevent a new name being added to the list of horses below who, for one year at least, can claim to have been the undisputed best.

2010: Mister Park (KOR) [Ecton Park – Formal Deal (Formal Gold)]
2009: Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)]
2008: Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)]
2007: Bally Brae (USA) [Yarrow Brae – Political Bluff (Unaccounted For)] – Also has two second places to his name, in 2006 and 2008.
2006: Flying Cat (KOR) [Western Cat – Flying Wood (Tapping Wood)]
2005: Subsidy (USA) [Mr. Prospector – Foreign Aid (Danzig)]
2004: Value Play (USA) [Mt. Livermore – Return Of Mom (Deputy Minister)]
2003: Tempest West (USA) [Silent Tempest – Westabout (Gone West)]
2002: Bohamian Butler (USA) [Patton – Circus Princess (Forli)]
2001: Tahamkke (NZ) [Dance Floor – Cantango (Danzatore)]- has gone on to become a moderately successful sire in Korea
2000: Cheolgeoun Party (KOR) [Big Sur – Party Paint (Acaroid)] – The only Korean bred filly to win.
1999: Saegangja (KOR) [Fiercely – Chuk Je] (non-thoroughbred)
1998: Sin Se Dae (AUS) [Avon Valley – Meroo Star (Starboard Buoy)]
1997: P’Ulgeurim (NZ) [Crested Wave – Evocative (Sea Anchor)]
1996: Hula-Mingo (NZ) [Broadway Aly – Zamatina (Zamazaan)]
1995: Dae Kyeun (AUS) [Northern Regent – Romantic Evening (Sunset Hue)]
1994: Ji Goo Ryeok (AUS) [Pine Circle – Perfect Choice (Lunchtime)] – The first year prize-money was awarded, Ji Goo Ryeok’s connections took home 50 Million won. This year’s winner will receive 212 Million, the same as last year but slightly down on 2008. The Korean Derby is worth in excess of 250 Million to the winner.
1993: Gi Peun So Sik (NZ) [Bolak – Belserena (Serenader)]
1992: Chun Pung (NZ) [Coral Reef – Little Jo] (non-thorougbred)
1991: Ka Shock Do (NZ) [Engagement – Nursery Rhyme (Namnan)]- With her second , she became arguably the greatest filly to run in Korea. In all, she won twelve of her thirteen starts.
1990: Ka Shock Do (NZ) [Engagement – Nursery Rhyme (Namnan)]
1989: Cha Dol (USA) [Mr Redoy – Honest’N Do Right]
1988: Wang Bang Wool (AUS) [Moon Sammy – Aqua Nymph (Crepone)]
1987: Cheong Ha (AUS) [Suliman – Pigalle Wonder (Exalt)]
1986: Po Gyeong Seon (NZ) [Danseur Etoile – Leonotis (Lionhearted)] – with twenty wins from twenty-five starts, he is, along with Saegangja and J.S. Hold one of the three
1985: Po Gyeong Seon (NZ) [Danseur Etoile – Leonotis (Lionhearted)]

* Although this is the 30th running of the Grand Prix, Korean racing records officially only go back to 1985.

* This is an updated version of a post that appeared on this blog in the build up to last year’s Grand Prix. And the year before and the year…etc.

Can a Two-Year Old Really Win The Grand Prix? Smarty Moonhak Could Be The First To Try

Smarty Jones Colt is First Juvenile in History to be voted into Grand Prix

The season ending Grand Prix Stakes is the most prestigious race on the Korean calendar. The President’s Cup may be richer but it is only open to Korean bred horses whereas the Grand Prix is open to any horse nominated by their connections and then voted in by the punting public.

Could Smarty Moonhak really find his way into the Grand Prix winner's circle?

With the odd exception when a motivated owner has run an enthusiastic campaign to get their lesser-known horse in, there are usually few surprises. However, this year when punters received their ballot papers just over a week ago, they were greeted with something few thought likely to ever happen. A two-year old colt was on the list.

The colt was US import Smarty Moonhak. Intrigued, they naturally voted him in and now he is, in just his fifth lifetime start, set to line up against the very best on the peninsula in a race that is not only the nation’s biggest, but at 2300 metres, is also the longest.

Eyebrows had already been raised last month when Smarty Moonhak [Smarty Jones-Madeira M’Dear] was entered in the Turkey Jockey Club Trophy. Not because it was a race he couldn’t win – he did, easily – but that in winning it, he would be bumped up in class prematurely and miss the chance of winning his owners some easy money as he gradually progressed through the ranks. Now it seems that all along, the Grand Prix was the ultimate goal. If so, they evidently believe that in Smarty Moonhak, they have something special on their hands.

In its thirty year history, a two-year old has never even run in the Grand Prix, let alone won it. While double President’s Cup winner Dangdae Bulpae and unbeaten US three-year old Lion Santa were both withdrawn from nominations, if he runs, Smarty Moonhak will still face a formidable field at Seoul Race Park at dusk on Sunday December 11.

Last year’s winner Mister Park, unbeaten in his last seventeen races – the longest winning streak in Korean racing history – will be the favourite but he’ll be running into Ace Galloper, Seoul’s best horse, on home territory. Then there is Tough Win and also the 2010 Korean Derby winner Cheonnyeon Daero, aiming for one last hurrah before being retired to stud while Busan Metropolitan winner and last year’s third place finisher Yeonseung Daero comes back for another go.

Minister’s Cup Winner Dongseo Jeongbeol represents this year’s dreadful domestic three-year old crop while Peter Wolsley’s best ever horse in Korea Gyeongkwaehanjilju, who gives the Australian trainer his first ever runner in the Grand Prix.

Could Smarty Moonhak do it? Or are we dealing with over-enthusiastic connections? Having been on the winning line when he won the 1800 metre Turkey Jockey Club Trophy without breaking into a gallop, I thought he could have run another lap. Regardless of the distance, the Grand Prix will be a very different prospect. Everything he’s done so far suggests Smarty Moonhak is the real deal. We’ll see on December 11.

While some will no doubt drop out before the big day, here’s the full line-up of the fourteen horses to receive invitations Name [Pedigree] Sex, Age, Home Track (Runs/1st/2nd/3rd):

Grand Prix (G1) – Seoul Race Park – 2300M – December 11, 2011

1. Dongseo Jeongbeol (KOR) [Vicar-Rendexvous Bay (Wonderloaf)] Colt, 3, Busan (13/7/1/0)
2. Mister Park (KOR) [Ecton Park-Formal Deal (Formal Gold)] Gelding, 4, Busan (18/17/0/1)
3. Cheonnyeon Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat-Doneitmyway (Northen Flagship)] Colt, 4, Busan (27/7/14/3)
4. Yeonseung Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat-Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] Horse, 5, Busan (37/15/7/5)
5. Queen Of Rain (USA) [Lion Heart-Prosperous Move (Arch)] Filly, 3, Busan (13/4/2/3)
6. Tamna Ace (KOR) [Thunder Gulch-Eacape (A.P. Indy)] Colt, 3, Busan (12/9/2/0)
7. Gyeongkwaehanjilju (KOR) [Tapit-Cozzie Maxine (Cozzene)] Colt, 4, Busan (15/9/3/0)
8. Triple Sinhwa (KOR) [Capital Spending-Claudia’s Secret (Crafty Prospector)] Colt, 4, Busan (20/6/7/2)
9. Gippeun Sesang (CAN) [Behrens-Bellus (Saint Ballado)] Horse, 5, Seoul (40/4/4/4)
10. Tough Win (USA) [Yonaguska-Maggie May’s Sword (Sword Dance)] Gelding, 4, Seoul (17/13/2/0)
11. Yodongjewang (KOR) [Field Asuka-Mary Wonder (Shahrastani)] Colt, 4, Seoul (14/5/4/1)
12. Ace Galloper (KOR) [Chapel Royal-Explicitly (Exploit)] Colt, 4, Seoul (21/15/3/1)
13. Smarty Moonhak (USA) [Smarty Jones-Maderia M’Dear (Black Tie Affair)] Colt, 2, Seoul (5/4/1/0)
14. Jumong (USA) [Johar-Foreign Aid (Danzig)] Colt, 4, Seoul (24/8/4/4)

Worldly Pleasure, Dam Of Game On Dude, Headed For Japan?

Well that didn’t take long. The Korean Racing Journal has reported that Worldly Pleasure, dam of Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up Game On Dude, is likely to move to Japan.

As Game On Dude burnished his reputation throughout this year in the USA, Worldly Pleasure’s owners, Nokwon Farm of Jeju Island, reportedly received a number of offers for her. They held on until after the Classic and, keen to see her stay in Asia, finally decided to accept one from Shadai Stallion Farm, a set-up that Nokwon has had dealings with before.

Worldly Pleasure - given the typically unflattering Korean StudBook treatment

Although the terms of the deal have not been made public, it is believed that Nokwon will in addition to cash, receive at least one broodmare in return.

Whatever the value of the sale, it’s seems that Nokwon have pulled off a shrewd piece of business with Worldly Pleasure [Devil His Due-Fast Pleasure (Fast Play)], who they purchased for $15,000 at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock in 2009. She arrived in Korea in foal to Macho Uno, giving birth to a colt shortly after arrival and while on Jeju she delivered a filly by Volponi. Both are at present still expected to run in Korea. This year she was covered by Nokwon Farm’s own Japanese stallion Admire Don.

According to the report by the Journal, if all goes to plan, Worldly Pleasure could be sent to Deep Impact in the 2012 breeding season.

It’s not the first time that a broodmare has been sold on from Korea after her earlier progeny unexpectedly came good at home. In 2005, First Violin (Dixieland Band) was imported from the USA, only to re re-exported back home after her colt Dominican won the 2007 Bluegrass Stakes.

Full Field For Juvenile Championship

Seoul Vs Busan in the Breeders’ Cup

A full field of fourteen will line-up at Seoul Race Park on Sunday afternoon for the Breeders’ Cup, Korea’s premier Juvenile race. Six visitors from Busan will face eight of the capital’s most promising young Korean bred horses over six and a half furlongs.

Sun Hero was the unfancied winner of last year's Breeders' Cup

Likely favourite is Cheoneun. She won her first three races before being beaten in the Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup – the top juvenile race restricted to Seoul horses – by another filly, Dolpung Jilju. Cheoneun faded very badly in the final furlong that day. Many will expect to see her turn it around tomorrow. As for Dolpung Jilju, she may have the worst Stud Book picture ever but she is certainly a talent and will have plenty of supporters.

For the colts, Dolpung Gangho and Jigeum I Sungan have the best of what are to date, limited records. It’s a lighter than usual challenge from Busan when compared with most events that bring runners from the two tracks together. Of those that have travelled, Peter Wolsley’s filly Nuriui Bit, second in the Gyeongnam News Cup, looks to have the best chance. Australian jockey Nathan Stanley is in town to ride her. Joining Stanley in Seoul is Japanese rider Eiki Nishimura, who has the mount of Black Dia.

Here’s a full run down of the runners and riders with pedigrees and race records:

Breeders’ Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1300M – November 27, 2011 – 16:35

1. Bukdaepung [Exploit-Half Fare (Half Term)] F (4/2/1/0) – Jun Duck Young (Seoul)
2. Sinchon Gongju [Pico Central-Bamboo Memory (Regal Remark) F (3/0/3/0) – Park Geum Man (Busan)
3. Cheoneun [Forest Camp-Naha (Silver Buck)] F ((4/3/1/0) – Park Tae Jong (Seoul)
4. Dolpung Gangho [Didyme-Ascend The Throne (Silver Charm)] C (2/1/1/0) – Choi Bum Hyun (Seoul)
5. Black Dia [Vicar-Blossom Again (Awesome Again)] F (4/2/1/0) – Eiki Nishimura (Busan)
6. Daedong Jeil [Commendable-Daecheon Yeowang (Concept Win)] C (4/1/2/1) – Moon Se Young (Seoul)
7. Sing A [Fortitude-Seollimwon (Wheaton)] F (5/1/2/1) – Choi Si Dae (Busan)
8. Nuriui Bit [Menifee-Altria (Maria’s Mon)] F ((2/1/1/0) – Nathan Stanley (Busan)
9. Dream Tower [Forest Camp-Hurricane Warning (Thunder Gulch)] C (4/2/0/0) – Kim Dong Young (Busan)
10. Dolpung Jilju [Didyme-Alder Gulch (Gulch)] F (4/3/0/1) – Cho Kyoung Ho (Seoul)
11. Mallu Homerun [Pico Central-Balada (Songandaprayer)] C (2/1/1/) – Park Byeong Yun (Seoul)
12. Jeongsaang Yechan [Menifee-Yong Gok (Loosen Up)] C (3/1/0/1) – Shin Hyoung Chul (Seoul)
13. Jigeum I Sungan [Ingrandire-Solmaru (Mujaazif)] C (5/1/3/1) – Kim Dong Chul (Seoul)
14. Good Time [Yehudi-A Little Poke (Pleasant Tap)] C (4/1/1/0) – Chae Gyu Jun (Busan)

* At Seoul Race Park today there was a shock in the feature race as 17/1 Jewang Tansaeng [Petionville-Awesome Joy (Awesome Again)] scored a five length win in what was a rare sprint feature race over seven furlongs. Running second was old favourite Bally Brae (Yarrow Brae), former Grand Prix winner and now nine years old.

Foreign Jockeys Dominate Friday At Busan

Akane Yamamoto & Nathan Stanley Score Five Between Them

It was a bad day for the local Jockey Union at Busan Race Park this afternoon as between them, two of the track’s foreign riders hoovered up five of the ten races on the card.

Nathan Stanley: Feature race winner today

Australian Nathan Stanley and Japanese Akane Yamamoto have established themselves as, political issues aside, two of the most sought-after riders at the track and today, on a chilly afternoon, they showed why. Yamamoto started things off, winning race 2 on young colt Predict (The Groom Is Red), who put in an impressive performance winning by seven lengths.

She followed up two races later on 16/1 shot Silver Tiger (Volponi), beating out Stanley on Sangseung Bulpae by a nose. Any punters playing the foreign jockey quinella angle got a 58/1 payout on that finish. Stanley had to wait until race 8 to get in the winner’s circle himself with a four-length win on New Zealand import Dangdae Champ (Falkirk).

The Australian had good reason to hold high hopes of scoring a late treble. Races 9 and 10 would see him partner first Ghost Whisper (Gotham City) and then Secret Whisper (Seas Of Secrets), both owned by Pegasus Stables and trained by Peter Wolsley and both set to be odds-on favourites.

Treble: Akane Yamamoto

It didn’t quite turn out as planned as Yamamoto, on second favourite Baramui Jeonsa (Menifee) pipped Stanley and Ghost Whisper to the line by a length to complete her treble. There were no such problems in the feature race, however, as Secret Whisper did the business, albeit only by a neck, to secure his sixth win from twelve starts. Yamamoto finished a very productive day in third place on filly Night Moves (Proud Accolade).

With their wins today, Stanley moves on to seventeen winners in Korea and Yamamoto twenty-three. While Yamamoto will have a number of opportunities to add to her tally at Busan on Sunday, Stanley will only have one chance in Seoul, where he travels to partner Peter Wolsley’s Nuriui Bit in Sunday’s Breeders’ Cup, Korea’s premier Juvenile race. He’ll join Busan’s third foreign jockey, Eiki Nishimura, who is already in the capital preparing for the race.

* Also of note today was the second win in two starts by two-year old colt Baekdu Daejangun (Didyme-Indeed My Dear (Alydeed). Baekdu Daejangun is the half-brother of double President’s Cup winner Dangdae Bulpae.

Korean Jockey Gets First Winner In USA

Seoul based apprentice jockey Jang Chu Yeol, currently in the United States for two months of training, rode his first American winner at Charles Town Racetrack in West Virginia last Sunday.

The young rider partnered the John McKee owned and trained Free Humor [Sharp Humor-Southerncomfortgal (Hermitage)] to victory in the tenth and final race of the day – an 8.5 furlong Claimer worth $11,400. Free Humor was the 4/1 fourth favourite in a field of ten.

Since heading to the States last month, Jang has had 17 rides at Charles Town, mostly for McKee, scoring 2 second places before getting his breakthrough win. At home in Seoul, he stands 11th in the 2011 Jockey Championship with 27 wins this year.

Race Chart