Racing Reviews

Final Boss Is Korea’s 2016 Juvenile Champion

Final Boss swept home late to land the Breeders’ Cup at Seoul today and be crowned Champion Korean Juvenile of 2016. The Menifee colt followed up his victory in October’s Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup to land a rare triumph for Seoul-trained horses over their Busan rivals. 

Busan’s Europa, winner of the Gyeongnam Sinmun Cup and from the Kim Young Kwan training machine, was sent off as the slight odds-on favourite but while he was well placed entering the home straight, he was able to offer little in the closing stages, coming home in 4th.

Indeed the early pace-setters, Evergreen Tree, Circle Dancer, Athena Thunder and Ice Marine, would all fade as the closers took command late on. Second favourite Daeho Sidae struck the front a furlong out and was joined by the Yonekura Satoshi ridden Muhan Yeoljeong. But on the outside, just as he did in the Mayor’s Cup, Final Boss pounced, jockey Choi Bum Hyun timing things perfectly to go past in sight of the line and take the glory by just under a length.

Breeders’ Cup (KOR G2) – Seoul Racecourse – 1400M – December 4, 2016

1. Final Boss (KOR) [Menifee – Sinsok Dolpa (Lindo Shaver)] – Choi Bum Hyun – 12.4, 3.5
2. Daeho Sidae (KOR) [Simon Pure – Ara Mireu (Didyme)] – Choi Si Dae – 2.2
3. Muhan Yeoljeong (KOR) [Officer – Ridemetothemoon (Malibu Moon)] – Yonekura Satoshi – 4.0
Distances: 0.75 lengths / 1 length
Also Ran: 4. Wonder Wall 5. Europa 6. Indian King 7. Kkumui Silhyeon 8. Meni Bracing 9. Rocket Queen 10. Illyu Star 11. Sunkissed 12. Ice Marine 13. Lead Money 14. Circle Dancer 15. Evergreen Tree 16. Athena Thunder

Final Boss moves on to four wins from six outings and heads into the New Year as Seoul’s big hope to land one of the three-year-old Classics. It’s great news for Seoul, however, it will be tempered by the fact that the next five place-getters were all from Busan.

More to follow…

Ms. Margaux Lands Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup For Irish Trainer Thomas Gillespie

 Ms. Margaux, so often runner-up over her career,got it right in spectacular style at Busan Racecourse this afternoon. The five-year-old mare got the better of Ttukseom Cup winner Bichui Jeongsang in a stretch duel to win the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup, the final leg of the Queens’ Tour, and hand a first Korean Group win to Irish trainer Thomas Gillespie.

Ms. Margaux (Midnight Lute) a class 1 winner at the 2000M distance in September, was sent off as favourite for the final race in the series which is held to decided the Champion filly or mare of the year, having been 6th in both the two shorter legs. Surprise KNN Cup winner Supreme Magic was 2nd favourite and Queens’ Tour veteran New York Blue 3rd in the market.

Korean Oaks winner Ottug Ottugi showed the way early along with perennial fast-starter Halla Chukje and well-fancied Seoul raider Touch Flying. Bichui Jeongsang and and Ms. Margaux both made ground in the back straight and around the home turn and as the leaders faltered, they led into the straight.

It was one-on-one from then on and under jockey Kim Yong Geun, Ms. Margaux kicked clear in the final furlong to take the honours by just over a length on the line. FIve lengths behind Bichui Jeongsang, the unheralded Mighty Gem put in a huge run to edge New York Blue out of 3rd place in a photograph.

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First Korean Group winner – Thomas Gillespie (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Ms. Margaux was a $15,ooo purchase at the September yearling sales at Keeneland in 2012. Today she took her earnings to in excess of $700,000. She’s had quite a remarkable career, most of it spent with Peter Wolsley before transferring to Thomas Gillespie this season. She took thirteen races to get her maiden win but finished 2nd or 3rd in all of the previous 12. In 29 starts she has only finished outside the money on five occasions with a total of ten 2nd places and eight 3rds. Today she got by far the biggest of her four wins.

It was another group success for jockey Kim Yong Geun, who remains in punters’ bad books after Perdido Pomeroy’s performance against Ottug Ottugi last month but who once again ends up in a big race winner’s circle. For Thomas Gillespie, it is a 35th winner since debuting at Busan last summer. Gillespie maintains a win-rate of almost 14% and his horses find the top three well over 40% of the time. He’s proven a very solid addition to the training ranks at Busan.

Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (KOR G3) – Busan Racecourse – 2000M – November 20, 2016

1. Ms. Margaux (USA) [Midnight Lute – Sixtyone Margaux (Cozzene)] – Kim Yong Geun – 2.6, 1.2
2. Bichui Jeongsang (USA) [Wildcat Heir – Persimmon Honey (Colonial Affair)] – Jo Sung Gon – 3.3
3. Mighty Gem (USA) [Macho Uno – Shimmer (Pulpit)] – Kim Hye Sun – 12.2
Distances: 1.25 lengths / 5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. New York Blue (USA) 5. Ottug Ottugi (KOR) 6. Areumdaundonghaeng (USA) 7. Hay Queen (USA) 8. Silver Wolf (AUS) 9. Santa Gloria (KOR) 10. Touch Flying (KOR) 11. Supreme Magic (USA) 12. Halla Chukje (USA) 13. Naesarang Damyang (USA)

Cheongdam Dokki, I’m Your Father Claim 2yo Prizes

Big prizes were on offer for imported two-year-olds at both Seoul and Busan on Sunday . 23/1 outsider Cheongdam Dokki took the honours in the Munhwa Ilbo Cup at Seoul while at Busan, jockey Francisco Da Silva continued his recent run of form, guiding  well-backed I’m Your Father to victory in the Gyeongnam Do Min Ilbo.

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Francisco Da Silva interviewed post-race

I’m Your Father (Tiznow) entered having won one of three starts so far with 2nd and 3rd places in the other two – all against older horses. Accordingly he was sent off as the slight favourite for the 1200M Gyeongnam Do Min Ilbo Cup, Busan’s most valuable race for imported juveniles. I’m Your Father, a $50,000 yearling purchase from the Fasig Tipton sale last autumn raced handy throughout, hitting the front early in the home straigth and running on to win by a dominant four lengths.

It was jockey Francisco Da Silva’s 11th Korean winner and he would quickly add another as he guided Main Stay to beat stablemate and Korean Oaks winner Ottug Ottugi and highly rated sprinter Perdido Pomeroy in the class 1 feature.

Seoul too hosted its most valuable race for juvenile imports on Sunday and if Busan’s was practically a procession for the winner, in the capital it was anything but. Spirit Of Hansen (Hansen) was sent off as a vulnerable favourite in the Munhwa Ilbo Cup but it was another 23/1 chance, Cheongdam Dokki (To Honor And Serve) who closed from 9th to 1st in the final furlong to snatch it on the line under Park Eul Woon.

Cheongdam Dokki cost just $20,000 at Keeneland’s yearling sale in 2015. The munhwa Ilbo was just his second lifetime start and he’s won both of them

Next week sees one of the biggest races of the season at Seoul in the shape of the President’s Cup. It’s Korea’s most valuable race of the season that’s restricted to domestic-bred horses.

Because You’re Goreous!

I’m still trying to work out if it was deliberate or simply a mistake when its name was added to the English registry. One tends to think it is the latter as it is very clearly written as “Gorgeous Dream” in Korean. And his dam is called Hey Gorgeous. Goreous or Gorgeous, the colt was simply too good in the Nonghyup Chairman’s Trophy at Seoul on Sunday afternoon.

It’s certainly not the first time there have been some slight mis-translations. While some are deliberate such as Diferent Dimension (something to do with Katy Perry, according to his breeder) plenty aren’t. 2010 Derby hopeful Northern Ace ran as “Nothern Ace” for his first few outings (unbeaten heading into the Derby he suffered a career-ending injury in the race) while Raon Rouis, who also ran yesterday, suffers a case of the common r&l confusion.

Ultimately it doesn’t matter but we could be seeing a lot more of Goreous Dream in the coming months. Sent off as the heavy favourite for yesterday’s Trophy, he grabbed the early initiative under champion jockey Moon Se Young and never looked like relinquishing it as he cruised to a four-length win in the 1200M sprint.

Goreous Dream [Sharp Humor – Hey Gorgeous (Cherokee Run)] is a three-year old colt. He missed out on getting into the Korea Sprint in September with others selected ahead of him but came out that day and won in a different race and yesterday recorded his eight win in nine starts. He looks to have good potential and while he hasn’t yet been tested, he surely will shortly as he is now established at class 1.

However, he is also exactly the kind of front-running sprinter that the KRA will be looking to enter in the Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting early next year. He is probably the most serious contender from Seoul and he has enterprising connections. It could happen.

Most of the Dubai contenders are likely to come from Busan and Sunday’s feature race on the South coast was won by Dongbang Daero (Curlin). The four-year-old US import beat Beolmaui Kkum and Heba by three lengths for his first class 1 success.

Europa Leagues Ahead In Gyeongnam Sinmun

Europa was an easy winner of Sunday’s Gyeongnam Sinmun Cup, Busan’s top juvenile race. The colt now should be set to travel to Seoul for December’s Breeders’ Cup.

Trained by Kim Young Kwan and ridden by Kim Yong Geun, the same combination that won the Triple Crown with Power Blade this year, Europa, who hadn’t raced since August, was sent off as 2nd-favourite for the 1200M test. It was in 2nd position that he raced in the early stages with pre-race favourite Ice Marine showing the way. However, once they hit the straight, Europa took things up and galloped clear to win by a full five lengths on the line.

Gyeongnam Sinmun Cup (Listed) – Busan Racecourse – 1200M – October 23, 2016

1. Europa (KOR) [Sharp Humor – It’s Tru Blue (Yes It’s True)] – Kim Yong Geun – 4.5, 1.6
2. Ice Marine (KOR) [Officer – Runkerry Point (Giant’s Causeway)] – Yoo Hyun Myung – 1.4
3. Illyu Star (KOR) [Officer – Run For Little Bit (Tactical Advantage)] – Lim Sung Sil – 2.1
Distances: 5 lengths / 1.75 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Mhan Yeoljeong 5. Adeleui Bom 6. Summit Day 7. Choegang Driver 8. Sinuipumgyeok 9. Queen’s Queen 10. Bound Queens 11. Hwarangui Huye

Seouls equivalent race on Saturday was won well by Final Boss. Both will be expected to run in the Breeders’ Cup which will take place over 1400M in the capital on December 4.

Final Boss Means Game Over For Rivals In Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup

5/1 chance Final Boss swept to victory in the Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup at Seoul Racecourse on Saturday afternoon. The 2-year-old colt took out the capital’s top juvenile race by almost two-lengths under jockey Choi Bum Hyun. 

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Final Boss in the Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup winner’s circle

Three horses entered the 1200M race with unbeaten records to defend and punters sent two of them, Athena Thunder and Meni Bracing off as almost co-favourites. Both would disappoint.

After Kkumui Silhyeon veered wide out of the gate, dumping jockey Lee Hyeon Jong on the floor in the process, it was the third unbeaten entrant, Circle Dancer, who set the pace with Final Boss only leading longest shot on the board Calling King as they entered the straight.

Once home was in sight though, jockey Choi brought Final Boss around the outside and unleashed his sprint. The favourites had nothing to offer and he was 3rd a furlong out. From then on it was inevitable. Circle Dancer rallied but couldn’t repel the winner but did just manage to edge out Calling King, who had joined Final Boss on his late romp forward.

Final Boss [Menifee – Sinsok Dolpa (Lindo Shaver)] entered following back to back wins, most recently a seven-length stroll over the same distance a month ago. Champion jockey Moon Se Young rode him that day but partnered Meni Bracing today. Choi Bum Hyun got the benefit and may very well keep the ride when he faces Busan’s best in the Breeders’ Cup on December 4th. Busan holds its championship juvenile race, the Gyeongnam Sinmun Cup, on Sunday afternoon.

Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup (Listed – Seoul Racecourse – 1200M – October 23, 2016

1. Final Boss (KOR) [Menifee – Sinsok Dolpa (Lindo Shaver)] – Choi Bum Hyun – 5.4, 1.6
2. Circle Dancer (KOR) [Vicar – Uribada (Al Naba)] – Lee Dong Ha – 2.8
3. Calling King (KOR) [Field Asuka – Lovely Shine (French Deputy)] – Kim Cheol Ho – 17.7
Distances: 1.75 lengths / Nose
Also Ran: 4. Castle Royal 5. Meni Bracing 6. Silla Hwarang 7. Athena Thunder DNF: Kkumui Silhyeon

Indian Star Skips Through The Slop In Jeju Cup

Indian Star made all to win the Jeju Governor’s Cup at a soaking wet Seoul Racecourse on Sunday. The 22/1 chance left some of the best domestic-bred fillies in her wake as she cruised a four-length win.

1. Indian Star (KOR) [Adcat – Indian Diamond (Indian Charlie)] – Lim Sung Sil – 22.4, 3.8
2. Touch Flying (KOR) [Colors Flying – Jeongtongseong (Lassigny)] – Jo Jae Ro – 2.7
3. Ottug Ottugi (KOR) [Forest Camp – Main Objective (Lion Heart)] – Choi Si Dae – 1.2
Distances: 4 lengths / 2 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Santa Gloria 5. Pinot Noir 6. Sharp Gale 7. Hwanggeumbitjijunghae 8. Smart Time 9. Special Rookie 10. Chang Se 11. Queen Two Hearts 13. Raon Amos 13. Valkyrie

Korea Oaks winner Ottug Ottugi was sent off as favourite having come out of the Korea Sprint three weeks ago in good shape while Santa Gloria, who won a trial for this race at Busan at the end of August was second in the betting.

It was a miserable day at Seoul with the rain having started in the early morning and the track resembling the Han river by the time the thirteen went to post for the Jeju Governor’s Cup. However, once the gates opened, instead of Ottug Ottugi leading, it was Indian Star who was brought right around from gate 11 by Lim Sung Sil and into a lead that she wouldn’t give up.

Touch Flying, who entered on a streak of four consecutive victories, came home 2nd while Ottug Ottugi just held off Santa Gloria in a photo-finish for 3rd.

Indian Star (Adcat), a four-year-old, was winning for the 9th time in 16 outings. Her previous attempt at a Stakes race ended badly as she came home 10th in the Busan Ilbo Cup but she entered having put in two solid performances in class 1 races at Busan and had perhaps been due a good result. For trainer Mun Je Bok it continues a good year – he also trains Perdido Pomeroy who won the Korea-Japan Cup at Seoul in June and was 4th in last month’s Korea Sprint.

2nd in the Korea Sprint was Macheon Bolt and Peter Wolsley’s four-year-old made his return to action down at Busan on Sunday. He was sent off the hot favourite for a 1400M class 1 handicap which attracted a strong field including Gamdonguibada and Ms. Margaux. Macheon Bolt (Old Fashioned) was too good for them though, leading all the way under jockey Lee Hee Cheon to record his 10th win on his 16th career start.

Next weekend Stakes action moves to Busan and the Kookje Sinmun Cup.

Santa Gloria Strikes In Jeju Trial

Trials for October’s Jeju Governor’s Cup were run at both Seoul and Busan on Sunday and it was on the south coast where the standout performance took place where Santa Gloria gave Italian jockey Paolo Aragoni his biggest Korean winner to date.

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Santa Gloria and Paolo Aragoni win the Busan leg of the Jeju Governor’s Cup Trials (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Despite having broken the 1300M track record the last time she raced, Santa Gloria was only sent off as third-favourite for the 1400M trial with two fillies she finished behind in the Korean Oaks in June, Special Rookie and Hoseungjibyeok, being favoured by punters.

On a very sloppy track, Santa Gloria made a mockery of those odds though. Hoseungjibyeok began tamely and never featured while Special Rookie, despite getting to the front rounding the turn, was unable to find another gear in the home straight. Aragoni meanwhile was patient on Santa Gloria and when he pulled the trigger with just over a furlong to go, the rest had no response.

The winning margin was three-lengths with  Sharp Gale getting the closest in the end. Santa Gloria (Menifee) will now be one of the favourites for the Jeju Governor’s Cup race itself – a valuable race for Korean bred fillies and mares – in Seoul in October. Hopefully Aragoni will get the opportunity to keep the ride.

In Seoul, Santa Gloria is likely to be facing Chang Se. She ran out a decent winner in the capital’s own trial for the race thirty minutes later. Chang Se (Forest Camp) now has seven wins from thirteen starts.

Jeju Governor’s Cup Trial – Busan Racecourse – 1400M – August 28, 2016

1. Santa Gloria (KOR) [Menifee – Pupil (Unbridled)] – Paolo Aragoni – 6.6, 2.1
2. Sharp Gale (KOR) [Creek Cat – My Sister Jess (Sligo Bay)] – Song Keong Yun – 3.6
3. Special Rookie (KOR) [Menifee – Swing City (Carson City)] – Kim Yong Geun – 1.2
Distances: 3 lengths / 0.5 lengths – 8 ran

Jeju Governor’s Cup Trial – Seoul Racecourse – 1400M – August 28, 2016

1. Chang Se (KOR) [Forest Camp – Daecheonpung (Fiercely)] – Lee Chan Ho – 1.8, 1.1
2. Smart Time (KOR) [Ft. Stokton – Charon (Jade Robbery)] – Ham Wan Sik – 2.3
3. Meni Money (KOR) [Menifee – Pocketful Of Money (Running Stag)] – Moon Se Young – 1.4
Distances: 1.75 lengths / 1 length – 10 ran

Catching Up: Supreme Magic & Yonekura Satoshi Won The KNN Cup

I’ve been away. There are several things to catch up on, most notably developments with regard to the Korea Cup and Sprint, however, the day before I left, the big action was the second leg of the Queens Tour, the KNN Cup at Busan.

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Yonekura Satoshi and Supreme Magic win the KNN Cup (Pic: KRA)

Billed as a battle between Bichui Jeongsang and New York Blue, the race was instead won by a 70/1 outsider as Supreme Magic flew home late on under a perfectly timed ride by Japanese jockey Yonekura Satoshi, to take the honours.

A full-field of sixteen contested the KNN Cup, which was run over a mile. Unusually for a big Stakes race – and a welcome change – Seoul sent a strong contingent to the race including Bichui Jeongsang, who had won the first leg of the tour, the Ttukseom Cup, in the capital in June. She would be sent off as second favourite, behind New York Blue, 3rd in the Ttukseom Cup and who fell in this race last year when expected to win.

Last year’s Korean Oaks winner Jangpung Parang would set the early pace with New York Blue handy while Bichui Jeongsang, coming out of a wide gate, went right to the back. Supreme Magic settled just a couple of spots off the back of the field. Not that many were paying too much attention to where she was.

In the home straight, Jangpung Parang was quickly done and New York Blue took things up.  It looked like this may be her year but that was to reckon without the closers. Once she found a  run, Bichui Jeongsang finished the quickest of them all, but it was too late and she only managed 5th. Instead, out of nowhere emerged Supreme Magic on the stands side to sweep past and run on for a surprisingly comprehensive two-length win.

Supreme Magic [Lookin At Lucky – Thru N’Thru (Stormy Atlantic)] was a $27,000 purchase from the June 2014 Ocala sale in Florida. A four-year-old, she finished 8th in the Ttukseom Cup but had just been promoted to class 1 following a pair of victories and a 2nd place at class 2. The win was her 5th in 14 career starts.

It was a huge win for jockey Yonekura Satoshi. The Japanese rider has had plenty of rides since starting in Korea in April but had been afforded little in the way of quality. Nevertheless, he’s managed to get 27% of his mounts home in the first three. Supreme Magic was his 9th winner at Busan and of course, his biggest so far. The 40-year-old Satoshi’s license has been extended for six months to run until the end of next January. Hopefully there are plenty more winners to come.

The KNN Cup (KOR G3) – Busan Racecourse – 1600M – July 24, 2016

1. Supreme Magic (USA) [Lookin At Lucky – Thru N’Thru (Stormy Atlantic)] – Yonekura Satoshi – 73.4, 8.5
2. New York Blue (USA) [Candy Ride – Aim For The moon (Deputy Minister)] – Lim Sung Sil – 1.2
3. Silver Wolf (AUS) [Orotorio – Ready For More (More Than Ready)] – Yoo Seung Wan – 2.6
Distances: 2 lengths / 1.75 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Who’s Perfect (USA) 5. Bichui Jeongsang (USA) 6. Ms. Margaux (USA) 7. Areumdaundonghaeng (USA) 8. Jangpung Parang (KOR) 9. Winner’s Marine (KOR) 10. Hwanggeumbitjijung (KOR) 10. Model Line (USA) 12. Bear Queen Trophy (USA) 13. Rush Running (KOR) 14. Yuseong Tiger (KOR) DNF: Balios Queen (USA)

Touch Flying Soars In Ilgan Sports

Touch Flying landed her biggest win to date, taking the Listed Ilgan Sports Cup at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. The filly won by three lengths under apprentice jockey Jo Jae Ro to claim her sixth victory on her tenth career start.

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Touch Flying and Jo Jae Ro get some assistance in the Ilgan Sports winner’s circle

Winner’s Glory, 4th in this year’s Korean Derby, was sent off as a strong favourite for the 1800M race but it was Touch Flying, under apprentice jockey Jo Jae Ro, who made all to take the win. Cheonji Storm, 6th in the Derby, was 2nd and Chanma 3rd, with Winner’s GLory having to settle for 4th.

Apprentice Jo did find himself having to explain why Touch Flying seemed to impede Cheonji Storm half a furlong out and while he was given a three-day ban (and Touch Flying herself ordered to barrier trial before her next start), stewards decided the result should stand.

Ilgan Sports Cup – Seoul Racecourse – 1800M – July 31, 2016

1. Touch Flying (KOR) [Colors Flying – Jeongtongseong (Lassigny)] – Jo Jae Ro – 6.7, 2.0
2. Cheonji Storm (KOR) [Admire Don – Great Thought (Empire Maker)] – Lee Sang Hyeok – 1.8
3. Chanma (KOR) [Menifee – Candleglow (Carson City)] – Kim Dong Soo – 2.3

Distances: 3 lengths / 2 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Winner’s Glory 5. Cosmos King 6. Haetbinna 7. Super Tank 8. Royal Victory 9. Simsin Jiryeo 10. Special Star 11. Gangja 12. Special Win DNF: Oneuri