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Aussies Rule Again At Busan

Stanley And Wolsley Double

If they keep this up, I’m going to run out of Australian puns very quickly. At Seoul we have what might be considered an unconventional partnership in Korean racing terms of a female trainer and female jockey – Lee Shin Young and Kim Hae Sun – being the in-form pairing, down at Busan it’s the foreigners. Specifically the Australian combination of trainer Peter Wolsley and jockey Nathan Stanley.

Heading Out For Winners: Nathan Stanley

Having won the Busan Owners’ Cup for Wolsley in his very first ride in Korea, Stanley took his win tally to six today as he combined with Wolsley to land two wins, two second places and a third. On a phenomenal – not to mention lucrative – day for the jockey, he also grabbed another second place.

The wins were not unexpected. The first of them came in race 7 as Ghost Whisper (Gotham City-Emmy’s Lullaby) justified his hot favourite status to cruise home by nine lengths. The grey Ghost Whisper is owned by Jeju Island’s Pegasus Stables which, with its foreign management made for an all foreign success. A race later and the double was complete as three-year old colt Perfect Jilju (Paradise Creek-Field Bouquet) hacked up for his third consecutive victory.

Despite having the favourite in the feature race, the Australian pair couldn’t quite pull off a memorable treble as 5/1 Full Forest (Full Mandate-Gazella Forest) just got the better of Mighty Hero (Buddha-Pretty Pretty) to win by a length. That second place added to an earlier runner-up finish on Tiare (Ft. Stockton-Misty Cee) in race 2 and a third on filly Always Owner (Ft. Stockton-Cozzie Maxine). Stanley also picked up a second place finish in race 9 on Saetbyeol (Yankee Gentleman-Tom’s Kid) for trainer Lim Keum Man.

Six rides, two wins, three seconds and one thirds. Almost Uchida-esque.

Saturday October 1

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:40 including the Singapore Turf Club Trophy at 16:30
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday October 2

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:05 incliding the Minister’s Cup at 16:35
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:30 to 17:05

Gwangyajeil Heads Triple Crown Finale Field

All Three Classic Winners Go In The Minister’s Cup

Let’s get the jokes out-of-the-way first. The final leg of the Korean Triple Crown is the Minister’s Cup. And the Minister in question is the Minister of FAFF – that’s Forestry, Agriculture, Fisheries and Farming. But there’s no faffing about in what is set to be a cracking finale to the Classic series.

All three Classic winners so far this season will be there. KRA Cup Mile winner Soseuldaemun will take on Derby winner Gwangyajeil and Oaks winner Useung Touch. However, they are far from the only contenders in a high quality line-up that will race over ten furlongs at Seoul Race Park on Sunday afternoon.

Gwangyajeil (Vicar) lead Useung Touch (Menifee) to the line in the Korean Derby

Here is a full run-down of the runners and riders (Name [Pedigree] (Starts/1st/2nd/3rd) – Jockey (Home track):

Minister of FAFF Cup (KOR.GII) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – SUnday October 2, 2011 – 16:35

1. Raon Speed [Creek Cat-Shakee Ground (Kris S.)] (6/4/2/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho (Seoul)
An improver who should relish going up to 2000M. Can be prone to bad behaviour, he threw his jockey and had to be scratched on his last but one start.

2. Amass [Jamine Langfuhr-Jideokjang (Didyme)] Filly (10/3/3/2) – Jo Chang Wook (Busan)
One of two fillies in the field, she was second to the other one, Useung Touch, in the Korean Oaks in August. There’s no good reason why she should be able to reverse that finish here, but she could be involved at the business end. That regular rider Jo Sung Gon is staying in Busan may be a clue though.

3. Dongseo Jeongbeol [Vicar-Rendezvous Bay (Wonderloaf)] (10/6/1/0) – Chae Gyu Jun (Busan)
Getting better as the distances increase, he’s won back to back Class 2 races at 1800 and 1900 metres. He’ll have his supporters.

4. Daejeuimilsa [Sakura Seeking-Light Hearted Lass (Majestic Light)] (11/4/0/1) – Moon Se Young (Seoul)
Another late bloomer he’s won his past two races at 1700 metres. He’s not beaten very much so far but any Moon Se young ridden horse is difficult to rule out.

5. Singgeureounachim [Exploit-Singgeureoun (Mr. Adorable)] (13/3/4/3) – Kim Ok Sung (Seoul)
Since finishing third in the Korean Derby behind Gwangyajeil and Useung Touch, he’s developed a severe case of second-itis of late, finishing as runner-up in his last three starts. A very capable colt but he’ll need to find something to win here.

6. Smart Win [Sakura Seeking-Our Kaapstad (Kaapstad)] (7/4/1/1) – Kim Dong Young (Busan)
Ran second to Dongseo Jeongbeol last time out bringing to an end a series of four straight wins. Although it proved he was capable of going round two turns he’ll have to find plenty to be competitive here.

7. Champion Belt [Exploit-Telegraph Road (Royal Academy)] (10/4/2/3) – Lim Sung Sil (Busan)
He briefly became the most expensive two-year old in Korean history when he went through the sales ring early last year. He’s struggled to live up to that billing but has developed into a solid performer and arrives here on the back of two straight wins at class 2. His best may be yet to come and this could be his time.

8. Soseuldaemun [Meisei Opera-This Ole Way (Vigors)] (12/3/3/2) – Song Keong Yun (Busan)
The surprise winner of the KRA Cup Mile showed up to the Derby in poor shape and was duly well beaten. He’s only run once since, putting in an improved performance in the Gyeongnam Do-Min Ilbo in July. Very talented but a close look at him in the parade ring will be required if he is to be bettable.

9. Useung Touch [Menifee-Jenny Tudor (Gulch)] Filly (9/5/2/1) – Choi Si Dae (Busan)
Second in the Derby and then the easy winner of the Oaks, this filly is all class. If she’s at her best, she has a very very good chance.

10. Geuma Champ [Vicar-Stormcloudrising (Stormy Atlantic)] (12/5/3/2) – Choi Bum Hyun (Seoul)
A late addition to the field after his last gasp win in the Ilgan Sports Cup just two weeks ago. He finished very quickly that day and should benefit from the extra distance. Could prove a handful.

11. Absolute [Commendable-Tai Chi (Quest For Fame)] (10/5/0/2) – Park Byeong Yun (Seoul)
Unpredictible. A good winner last time out over a competitive class 2 field but he’ll be an outsider here.

12. Sun Hero [Menifee-Stategic Reward (Bold Revenue)] (13/5/3/1) – Park Tae Jong (Seoul)
Champion two-year old last year, he’s had a mixed campaign as a three-year old. He is, however, one of very few of this year’s crop to have already qualified for class 1 racing. He had a tough introduction to that level last month but was arguably facing tougher all round competition than he has here. Should be in the hunt at the end.

13. Gwangyajeil [Vicar-Hurricane Havoc (Jade Robbery)] (8/6/0/0) – Shin Hyoung Chul (Seoul)
The Derby winner. And the likely favourite. He’s only run once since that win in May when he battled gamely through a monsoon downpour to win a class 2 race back in early July. But three months on, what kind of shape will he be in. Absolutely fine say the reports but he’s by no means a sure thing.

14. Cheonji Horyeong [Buster’s Daydream-Sorority Jazz (Dixieland Band)] (13/3/3/1) – Akane Yamamoto (Busan)
Brother of 2008 Derby winner Ebony Storm, he’d been something of a disappointment before pulling off a surprise win in the Gold Circle Trophy at Busan four weeks ago to punch his ticket here. Akane Yamamoto rode him that day and the Japanese jockey will be making her Seoul debut here.

Young Korean Jockeys Head For Overseas Training

Three young Korean jockeys are heading overseas for two months of training. Kim Jeong Jun and Lee Gang Seo left for Australia earlier this month while Jang Chu Yul will go to the United States later this month.

Lee Gang Seo, Kim Jeong Jun and Jang Chu Yeol, with classmate Park Jung Hyun (Picture: KRA)

The three are all graduates of the 2010 class of the KRA’s Jockey Academy and have all had reasonable starts to their career. Jang especially has already become one of track’s most consistent winners. The fourth member of the graduating class, Park Jong Hyun, was sidelined by injury for much of her first year and so will remain in Seoul to continue to get established as a rider.

Here are their career figures so far (Rides/wins/2nd/3rd):

Kim Jeong Jun: 262/6/13/14
Lee Gang Seo: 295/13/20/26
Jang Chu Yul: 333/34/27/28

Sending them overseas is in line with the KRA’s attempts to improve the quality of local jockeys. The academy plays a central role in this but spending time in other, more developed racing environments, is seen as key.

Next on the hit-list are the trainers with KRA actively seeking opportunities for trainers to go overseas to study. Shortly after qualifying, Kim Hyo Seob spent time in the United States and a number of trainers are hoping to go to the UK and Australia within the next year.

Busan Racecourse: Transport & Facilities Update

Gyongmaman roused himself out of the capital to put in a rare in-person appearance at Busan last Friday. Accordingly, the information section of this blog for Busan has been given a much-needed update.

Dynamic Busan

Of particular relevance is the transportation section as, in their infinite wisdom, the track – lovely as it is – could not really have been built in a more inconvenient place to get to in Busan. Regardless, as Korea’s most internationally minded racecourse, it is well worth a visit.

Australia's Nathan Stanley heads out onto the Busan track

Busan Racecourse Information

Weekend Preview: No Racing – Happy Thanksgiving!

Just a reminder there’s no racing anywhere on the peninsula this weekend due to the long “Chuseok” – Korean Thanksgiving – holiday.

Things are back to normal next week with racing getting underway again on Friday September 16 at Busan. The Ilgan Sports Cup at Seoul on Sunday September 18 will be the weekend’s feature race.

New Racing Movie “Champ” Opens Today

The latest Korean movie to use horse racing as its backdrop opens in cinemas across the country today.

“Champ”, Starring Cha Tae Hyeon as a jockey and child star Kim Seeo Jeong as his daughter, the movie is (very) loosely based on the story of Korean racehorse Luna, who went through the sales ring unsold as a two-year old as she was believed to be too broken down to race. She went on to recover and become a multiple Stakes winner at Busan Racecourse.

The movie is being released to catch the Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) market and is therefore aimed at families who have been forced together for a few days and are at each others’ throats and want to go somewhere they don’t need to talk to each other.

That would suggest that, just like last year’s “Grand Prix”, we’re not talking Academy Award winning stuff. However, that the movie is directed by Lee Hwan Gyeong who was responsible for “Gakseoltang” – by far the best Korean racing movie to date – offers hope that it won’t be completely terrible.

Publicity poster for the movie "Champ"

The Korea Racing Authority has part funded the movie and the press conference to launch it was held at Seoul Racecourse after simul-casting last Friday. The KRA is using the movie as part of a renewed drive to popularise racing and to encourage racehorse ownership.

Who Is Seo Seung Woon?

Nathan Stanley And Six Apprentices Join Weighing Rooms

It was such a breathless start to the month on the track that perhaps it’s no bad thing that we’re off this coming weekend for the Korean Thanksgiving holiday. Highlight of the weekend was Australian jockey Nathan Stanley making an unexpected debut, and scoring an even more unexpected DQ victor, for countryman Peter Wolsley in the dramatic Busan Owners’ Cup on Sunday. However, Stanley was just one of seven new jockeys to debut at the weekend.

Dream Start: Seo Seung Woon drives Darling Vision to victory

The rest were all graduates of the KRA Jockey Academy, three at Seoul and three at Busan. And undoubtedly the star of the show was 21-year-old Seo Seung Woon. It started off as good fortune as the young jockey got the kind of break that others have had to wait many months for in only his second ride – he was on the favourite. If he felt any pressure, it didn’t show as he guided Challenge Concept (Concept Win) to a comfortable win. Later came the shock as in race 9, he produced a perfectly timed run on 37/1 shot Daring Vision (Perfect Champion) to beat out the opposition and claim a very good win. Punters were impressed.

New At Seoul: Lee Hyeok, Lee A-Na and Seo Seung Woon Pic: KRA

Seo is joined at Seoul by 24-year-old Lee Hyeok and 22-year-old Lee A-Na, who brings the number of female jockeys currently riding at Seoul to six. She will be looking to follow Kim Hae Sun who, two years after qualifying, is slowly becoming established as a potential star. Busan’s jockeys tend to be slightly less experienced than those at Seoul (although that is not to say less talented – often it’s anything but) so this year was the first in some time that the track has had a new intake. As well as Australian veteran Stanley, academy graduates Kim Jung Woong, Yoo Kwang Hee and Jung Dong Chul also debuted.

Busan new boys: Kim Jung Woong, Yoo Kwang Hee and Jung Dong Chul - The very manly pic is by the KRA

Korean blogger Chulgigi did sound a note of caution though. In 1995, newly qualified Ji Ha Ju won his first two races. Sixteen years later and he’s only won 212 more and has never been prolific in terms of mounts or wins. Things are different these days though. Much more rigorous training, helped by the presence of South African jockey trainer Kenny Michel, as well as stints in wither South Africa or Australia for the graduates mean that today’s newly qualified jockeys are better prepared – and, dare we say just plain better, than their forerunners. Lee Sang Hyeok, Jo In Kwen, Kim Hae Sun and Jang Chu Youl are just four recent graduates at Seoul who punters would place ahead of all but the elite four – Park Tae Jong, Cho Kyoung Ho, Moon Se Young and Choi Bum Hyun (that last one is questionable too).

As for Nathan Stanley, he debuted in 1992 and in addition to having ridden in Australia, has also competed recently in Malaysia. He takes over the senior International Jockey role at Busan from Toshio Uchida who completed his second stint at the track at the end of August.

And if the foreign contingent in Korea were feeling some sense of satisfaction that the Union had seen off Uchida only to see his replacement win a Group race in his very first ride – for a foreign trainer to boot – then they were positively rolling on the floor with laughter an hour later as Akane Yamamoto took out the Gold Circle Trophy on outsider Cheonji Horyeong (Buster’s Daydream). For some it may be that the foreigners are coming here and taking the money. They should, however, look at the benefits. The bar is being raised for everyone and that can only benefit racing in the long-term.

Mister Park Sets New Consecutive Win Record

Son of Ecton Park Romps to Sixteenth Straight Victory

In the end we didn’t get our Zenyatta-esque Glory in victory and glory in defeat That was what we were expecting had Mister Park been able to put his fifteen race unbeaten record on the line back in July in the Busan Metropolitan against the very best on the peninsula.

Mister Park (Pic: KRA)

Instead, it was shortly after 6pm on this warm late summer Friday and in a regular handicap when, in his customary fashion, Mister Park steamrolled his way into the record books to win a record sixteenth consecutive victory.

Taking on foreign-bred horses for only the third time in his career allowed the four-year old gelding to carry less weight than he would have done against Korean born opposition and he led from gate to wire to score a five-length win.

With the win, he surpasses Po Gyeong Seon and Saegangja – iconic names in Korean racing – with whom he had been tied on fifteen since his last start in June. He is a special talent yet, due to circumstances and the way he has been campaigned, he does not get the kind of coverage others do. Having been born in Korea but sired outside (his sire, Ecton Park was later brought to Korea too) he was ineligible for the three-year old Classics and had to wait back in the barn while Dangdae Bulpae (Biwa Shinseiki) racked up five Stakes wins.

Mister Park in the Grand Prix Winner's Circle

Mister Park only has the one Stakes victory, albeit the biggest of them all in the 2010 Grand Prix, and only faced foreign bred horses on one other occasion before today. His late withdrawal from the Busan Metropolitan led to claims from some – vehemently denied by connections – that they were happy to harvest relatively easy money by winning mismatches in contrast to the likes of Yeonseung Daero who has a much lower win rate than he should simply because he only ever runs against the very best.

None of this is Mister Park’s fault of course. He just beats whoever he’s asked to. And he’s beaten them all. Sixteen times in a row.

How many more can he win? There are potential threats. Lion Santa (Lion Heart) is a year younger and has won all eight of his starts so far. A US import, however, there is no guarantee that he will ever meet Mister Park. He will also quickly find himself carrying a lot of weight in handicaps – something Mister Park can escape by entering foreign-bred races. If they do, it would likely come in the Grand Prix at Seoul in December. IF he makes it there and goes onto win, Mister Park will undoubtedly belong among the great names of Korean racing.

* Mister Park [Ecton Park-Formal Deal (Formal Gold)] is a four-year old gelding owned by Oh Sang Chul and trained by Kim Young Gwan. His jockey today was Jo Sung Gon.

Click here to watch the race

Classic Winners To Clash In Busan Owners’ Cup

The World Athletics Championships may be coming to an end in Daegu this weekend, but 90 kilometers down the Gyeongbu Expressway, two of the nation’s biggest track stars will face off in the Group 3 Busan Owners’ Trophy.

Dangdae Bulpae

Dangdae Bulpae has been the stand-out Stakes winning star of the past year with five Stakes victories including the Minister’s and Ttukseom Cups at Seoul. He’ll go into Sunday’s race as hot favourite but will face the two horses that finished ahead of him in last year’s Korean Derby, Cheonnyeon Daero and Triple Sinhwa.

In his last outing, in the Busan Metropolitan in July, Dangdae Bulpae got suckered into a speed duel with favourite Tough Win which left both horses exhausted and out of contention in the home straight. Jockey Jo SUng Gon will be under pressure not to allow that to happen again. Coincidentally, Cheonnyeon Daero benefitted in his Derby by favourite on the day Money Car suffering exactly the same fate as he took on sprint king Seonbongbulpae in the early stages of the race and wilted close to the line. Cheonnyeon Daero took the win and his gone on to become a top performer.

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

However, he was second to Dangdae Bulpae in both the Ttukseom Cup and KNN Cup and few would bet against the same happening again.

Mupae Star, Khaosan, Isidae Gangja and Super Chocolate complete a field that is short on numbers but not on talent. If Khaosan can pull off the upset, it would be a first Stakes winner in Korea for trainer Peter Wolsley. Here’s a full list of runners (Name [Pedigree] Age, Sex, Weight to Carry (Starts/wins/2nds/3rds) – Jockey):

Busan Owners’ Cup (KOR.GIII) -Busan Race Park – 2000M – Sunday September 4, 16:15

1. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki-Indeed My Deed (Alydeed)] 4,C,60Kg (18/12/1/1) – Jo Sung Gon
2. Triple Sinhwa (KOR) [Capital Spending-Claudia’s Secret (Crafty Prospector)] 4,C,57Kg (17/6/6/0) – You Hyun Myung
3. Isidae Gangja (KOR) [Lost Mountain-Angel (Land Rush)] 5,G,55Kg (30/5/8/4) – Choi Si Dae
4. Mupae Star (KOR) [Didyme-Sun Glow (Cryptoclearance)] 5,H,60Kg (41/7/6/6) – Kim Dong Young
5. Cheonnyeon Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat-Doneitmyway (Northern Flagship)] 4,C,60Kg (24/7/11/3) – Park Geum Man
6. Khaosan (KOR) [Sunday Well-Mogaung (Jade Hunter)] 6,G,55Kg (29/6/7/7) – Kim Nam Sung
7. Super Chocolate (KOR) [Silent Warrior-Many Sweet Rewards (Snow Chief)] 4,G,54Kg (27/4/2/3) – Kim Tae Kyung

Toshio Uchida -The Most Popular Japanese Man In Korea – Bows Out

“Mr Pink” Lands A Double On Last Day In Korea

Toshio Uchida’s second stint in Korea ended in typical fashion as the Japanese jockey landed a pair of victories at Busan Race Park this afternoon. Uchida’s short-term Korean license expires on August 31 and the Korea Racing Authority (KRA) have decided not to renew it.

Going Home: Toshio Uchida(Pic: KRA)

Uchida, who will be 50 in October, is currently top of the 2011 Jockey Championship at Busan and since returning to Korea last autumn has ridden 69 winners from 384 mounts. It could be argued that he is the most popular Japanese man in Korea.

Taking together his two spells, Uchida rode 138 winners from 695 rides – a winning rate of 19.9%. His quinella strike rate was 32.8% and his place rate 46.3%. His biggest win came in this year’s KRA Cup Mile, the first leg of the Korean Triple Crown on Soseuldaemun (Meisei Opera).

So why not renew his license? In a statement, the KRA noted that racing fans here would be very disappointed with the decision. That is an understatement. “Mr. Pink” is so popular that when he made a rare appearance at Seoul, punters chanted his name and applauded him around the paddock – something absolutely unheard of in Korean racing.

Going on to explain, the KRA restated that the goal of their foreign jockey program was to expose local riders to a variety of different styles in the hope that it would be beneficial to them. With Uchida having been in Korea for a total of nearly two years and another Japanese rider Akane Yamamoto having just starting at the track, it was felt that the time was right to move in a different direction – indeed, Uchida’s replacement will be Australian Nathan Stanley.

Soseuldaemun and Toshio Uchida win the KRA Cup Mile (Picture: KRA)

However, this isn’t an explanation that all punters will buy. The program started around about the same time that the Busan track opened. Three Australians were brought over – Mark Newnham, Nathan Day and Garry Baker. Newnham and Day left quickly but Baker went on to become the top jockey at the track in its early days and, like Uchida, won the KRA Cup Mile. He stayed two years but on his departure said the words that have come to define the experience of foreign jockeys in Korea: “..you did get the feeling they didn’t particulary want you there.”

So it is today. It’s understandable, as their job is to protect themselves, but the local Jockey Union is extremely hostile to the idea of foreign riders coming across and “taking their money.” And Uchida certainly took a lot of it! However, this creates conditions that are very difficult for all but the thickest skinned rider to thrive in. Japanese jockeys have had the most success – the only non-Japanese to make a serious go of it have been Baker and South Africa’s Martin Wepner (who had his own license not renewed at the very last-minute) – perhaps due to the cultural aspects of a jockey’s job being similar. Given these barriers, it’s difficult to imagine what the KRA expects of a foreign jockey – be inspiring, but don’t win?

Uchida’s two wins today were both in his usual fashion. First up was Sarang Dream [Purge-Hurricane Warning] in race 3. What Uchida has which is rare among Korean jockeys is the ability to judge the pace of a race and this was apparent here as he manoeuvered Sarang Dream into position and then asked the colt for an effort at exactly the right time, not even needing to use his whip. Next was New Zealand bred Dangdae Champ [Falkirk-Soaring] who Uchida saw to a two-length victory in race 4.

In his final race in Korea, there was every chance of Uchida completing a hat-trick. However, after being sent off second-favourite in the second of co-feature races, Trademark [War Zone-Devil’s Dervish] had to be pulled up after suffering an injury. That race was won by Winning Perfect [Doyen-Miss Beauty] ridden by Jo Sung Gon. Jo is one of the nation’s most promising jockeys and one of those who stood to gain the most from competing with Uchida.

The reality is that only tuition from the likes of Kenny Michel, the excellent South African Jockey trainer who has been working in Korea for the past three years and is turning out some very impressive apprentices, can improve the technical ability of Korean riders. Uchida’s role was to take them out of their comfort zone. Next Friday, Jo Sung Gon is going to be very much back in his comfort zone.

* In other races at Busan, there was an eighth win in eight starts for three-year old US import Lion Santa [Lion Hearted-Santa Fe Strip]. Jockey Kim DOng Young left it until the very last moment but Lion Santa was far too good for a field that included 2008 Korean Derby winner Ebony Storm.

Up at Seoul, former Champion Filly and Mare Dongbang Rose [Volponi-Night Mary] returned to form in impressive style, taking the feature handicap.