Racing Reviews

Ladies Shine But Moon Takes Glory

Double for Mai and Career Maiden for Lee Ah Na but Moon Se Young and Raon Glory Score in Seoul Feature

As racing returned to Seoul after the Chuseok break, it was a breakthrough day as female jockeys accounted for a quarter of all the winners. However, it was former Champion jockey Moon Se Young who was at his dominant best as he landed a treble including victory on 13/1 Raon Glory in the feature race of the day.

Heading for Glory: Moon Se Young drives Rain Glory to victory

Moon had taken the opener on Senchingu (Ft. Stockton-Cheong Cho Han) and added a second on Gieongnal Geunal (Menifee-Divulge) in race 6 before lining up on Raon Glory for the seven furlong feature. Balhaemyeongjang was sent off favourite but was never a danger as Raon Glory hit the front with two furlongs to go and found a little bt extra in the closing stages to comfortably hold off rank outsider Meotjin Segye for the win. Raon Glory (Tapit-Queen Lulu), a four-year old filly moves on to impressive figures of seven wins from eleven starts.

As for Moon Se Young, he’s closed the gap behind Cho Kyoung ho at the top at the top of the Jockey Title Race. Defending champion Cho scored just the one win today – pumping his fist in Moon’s direction as he got the better of his rival on Private (Menifee-Cursive) in race 4. With very little in it, this is set for an interesting climax over the next three months.

Double: Mai Beppu

Meotjin Segye, the 100/1 runner-up behind Ran Glory, was ridden by Mai Beppu. The Japanese jockey had already scored another 50/1 second place finish but would go on to get an even better double late n the card. First up was victory in race 10 on Mass Media’s Tea (Mass Media-Tea Pot Joy). The US import was once talked of as a future champion but has disappointed this year to the extent that he was sent off at 30/1 today. With Beppu on board, the colt made a mockery of those odds as the pair made all to win by two and a half lengths.

It got better for Beppu in the last as she scored another unexpected win, this time on 19/1 Chuwolchupung (Social Charter-Stone Rose). The visiting jockey is now on six wins in Korea.

Who Do You Think You Are? Former champion Moon Se Young (right) casts his eye other new jockey Lee A Na, who ride her first winner today

Much earlier in the day, a young jockey was celebrating a milestone as Lee Ah Na rode her first ever winner. In what was just the seventh ride of her career, Lee guided 9/1 shot Akeja (Didyme-Morning Java) to victory by just over a length.

She is the second of this year’s new jockeys to break her duck after Seo Seung Woon’s exploits a fortnight a go. As for the Golden Boy himself, he drew a blank today, despite riding a favourite. Early days for everyone.

There was one other performance of note on the track today. Two-year old Smarty Moonhak (Smarty Jones-Maderia M’Dear) is one of only two sons of Smarty Jones in Korea. The other, ES Four, has been mildly successful but Smarty Moonhak looks a very interesting prospect.

He debuted in June, running second to another highly rated import, New Zealand bred Mister Captain (Captain Rio-Siamond Dust). Mister Captain hasn’t run since but Smarty Moonhak had scored two decisive wins coming into today’s race when he became the first of this year’s crop of two-year old imports to tackle two turns.

He took to it rather well. As soon as jockey Shim Seung Tae asked him to quicken as the field entered the straight, there was no contest. The young colt was far too good for his older rivals and was eased down for an eleven length win. It may not have been an especially fast time and there wasn’t much in the way of opposition behind him, but the dismissive manner of victory suggests we have quite a talent on our hands.

Shim Seung Tae grins as he unsaddles Smarty Moonhak. The two year old strolled to his third consecutive victory at Seoul today.

Sunday sees the 29th running of the Ilgan Sports Cup Stakes at Seoul. There are 11 races at Seoul Race Park from 11:10 to 18:05 and 6 at Busan Race Park from 12:30 to 17:05.

Cheonnyeon Daero DQ’d As Khaosan Scores Stakes Win For Peter Wolsley

Aussie Trainer And Jockey Combine in Owners’ Cup

Australian trainer Peter Wolsley earned his first Korean Stakes winner as his Khaosan [Sunday Well-Mogaung] won the Busan Owners’ Cup this afternoon. But it wasn’t straightforward as 2010 Derby winner Cheonnyeon Daero was first over the line before being demoted after a lengthy stewards’ inquiry.

Peter Wolsley - Stakes and Group Winner! (Pic: Herald Media)

Dangdae Bulpae was sent off as hot favourite to bounce back from his disappointment in the Metropolitan Stakes in July and it was he who set the early pace. Indeed, he was looking good to go on and record a comfortable win as the small field of seven entered the home straight. But then, all hell broke loose.

Dangdae Bulpae started to go backwards as Triple Sinwha took things up only to veer crazily wide towards the grandstand ruling himself out of contention for the win. That left Cheonnyeon Daero [Creek Cat-Doneitmyway], 2010 Derby winner in the lead.

DQ: Cheonnyeon Daero

But he was not alone. Six year old gelding Khaosan was in pursuit and, under Australian jockey Nathan Stanley – on his first ever mount in Korea – he was in fighting mood. Back and forth they went and Cheonnyeon Daero, under Park Geum Man, seemed to get the advantage but Khaosan, a 16/1 outsider was right there with him.

They came together once and then twice, Cheonnyeon Daero seemed to be to blame but was in front as they crossed the line. A Stewards Inquiry ensued and, after a fifteen minute wait the result came back. The positions were reversed. Khaosan won the Owners’ Cup with Cheonnyeon Daero demoted to second. Triple Sinhwa, alone on the grandstand rail, claimed third.

Nathan Stanley

The result meant a first ever Korean Stakes win for Peter Wolsley and a remarkable debut for Australian jockey Nathan Stanley who was standing in for Wolsley’s regular rider Kim Nam Sung. Khaosan, a six-year-old gelding, was winning for only the seventh time in thirty starts. For Cheonnyeon Daero, the reverse meant a twelfth second place finish in twenty-five races.

For Peter Wolsley, it is the crowning moment of his time in Busan so far. But it will be slightly bittersweet. Not only is it a win via disqualification but Cheonnyeon Daero’s jockey was Park Geum Man. Park is Wolsley’s protegé.

The young jockey ignored the xenophobia that is prevalent in Korean racing and sought out the Australian trainer as someone he could learn from and became his stable jockey for two years. Wolsley is on record as saying that Park’s win on Cheonnyeon Daero in last year’s Korean Derby – despite being for another trainer – is his proudest moment in Korea to date.

Wolsley will gain no pleasure in Cheonnyeon Daero’s disqualification. But Park is still surely destined for a glittering career and with Khaosan, Wolsley has deservedly joined him in being a Stakes and Group winner.

For Nathan Stanley it is a dream start. As Toshio Uchida’s replacement, the Australian had massive boots to fill and, unexpectedly filling in for Kim Nam Sung, he could not ahve done any better.

The overseas triumphs didn’t end there. Once the Owners’ Cup was over with, it was time for the Gold Circle Turf Club Trophy. And while the Peter Wolsley trained favourite Secret Whisper didn’t perform to expectations, Japanese jockey Akane Yamamoto guided 22/1 Cheonji Horyeong [Buster’s Daydream-Sorority Jazz] to a memorable victory.

Seoul Racecourse - September 4, 2011

Kkakjaengi Fails Her Tough Test

Tough Win Puts Star Filly in her Place / Who is Seo Seung Woon?

Star filly Kkakjaengi ran slap bang into a resurgent Tough Win in a thrilling main event at Seoul Race Park this afternoon, which saw the first five horses home separated by just a length and a half.

Tough Win and Cho Kyoung Ho return to scale after winning at Seoul

Tough Win (Yonaguska) was looking to bounce back from a disappointing defence of his Busan Metropolitan title in July and punters kept faith with him, sending him off as slight favourite, despite being up against double-Stakes winning three-year old filly Kkakjaengi (Put It Back).

After second favourite Khaki Halls set the early pace, it was former Grand Prix winner Bally Brae who led the field into the home straight. It looked as though the grand old man of Korean racing may pull off an unlikely victory but Kkakjaengi was looming ominously. Tough Win meanwhile had to go all the way around the field to find a run. Eventually he got into stride and, despite carrying a back-busting 63Kg, he had enough in him to haul himself to the line in front. 70/1 outsider Indian Secret scored an unlikely second place with Kkakjaengi, Bally Brae and Larrycat crossing the line together behind.

Tough Win moves onto 12 wins from 16 starts. Kkakjaengi has to settle for being on 6 wins from 10 starts.

Dream Start: Seo Seung Woon drives Darling Vision to victory

While Tough Win was the equine star of the day, on the jockey front we have someone new to watch. Newly qualified Seo Seung Woon had the good fortune to make his racing debut on favourite Challenge Concept (Concept Win) in race 3. He duly did the business by 3 lengths. A dream start but so far, so professional. Things got even better for him later on though as he put in a cracking shift on board 37/1 outsider Darling Vision (Perfect Champion) in race 9 to score an all-out half-length victory. One to watch over the coming months.

Tomorrow it’s the Owners’ Cup at Busan. It was Dangdae Bulpae who took Tough Win out of the Metropolitan in July by engaging him in a pointless speed duel in the early part of the race. Both horses were exhausted by the time they got to the business part of the race. Today was Tough Win’s redemption, tomorrow Dangdae Bulpae will have the opportunity to earn his.

Sunday September 4

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:10
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:30 to 17:10 including the Owners’ Cup at 16:15 and the GCTC Trophy at 17:10.

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

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.

Untouchable! Useung Touch Romps The Oaks

She was second in the Derby and today, at Busan Race Park, Useung Touch went one better to win the 2011 Korean Oaks in dominating fashion.

Sent off at slightly better than evens, but starting right on the outside in gate 14, jockey Choi Si Dae sent Useung Touch out quickly and straight into an early lead. Challengers came and went, most noticeably Sen Girl in the back straight but, despite Choi having to battle for a time in the stretch to keep Useung Touch straight, it was clear the rest were only ever racing for second.

In the end it was second-favourite Amass who got closest to the winner meaning a one-two finish for Busan fillies. Outsider Choichoro, grabbing an unlikely third, was Seoul’s best finisher.

Useung Touch first came to attention when finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup at Seoul last November after starting the race as a 90/1 outsider. On the strength of that run she, along with the two colts who beat her that day, Sun Hero and Sun Blaze (both also by Menifee) went into April’s KRA Cup Classic – the first leg of the Korean Triple Crown – heavily fancied. They all disappointed.

The following month, however, Useung Touch headed to Seoul and the Korean Derby where she managed s superb second behind winner Gwangyajeil. With a class 2 win last month and now today, Useung Touch is already set to be crowned Korean bred filly of the year.

Oaks Winners: Useung Touch and Choi Si Dae

It’s a second Stakes win and first Korean Classic for her sire Menifee with his first set of foals reaching Classic age. With the Derby won by a Vicar colt (Gwangyajeil) and the likes of Ecton Park, Forest Camp and later Officer, to come on-line, we are seeing a changing of the guard in the stallion ranks that have for so long been dominated by the likes of Didyme, Revere and Creek Cat.

Korean Oaks (KOR.GII) – Busan Race Park – 1800M – August 21, 2011

1. Useung Touch (KOR) [Menifee-Jenny Tudor (Gulch)] – Choi Si Dae – 2.2, 1.4
2. Amass (KOR) [Jamine Langfuhr-Jideokjang (Didyme)] – Jo Sung Gon – 2.0
3. Choichoro (KOR) [Concept Win-Eunbiryeong (Mujaazif)] – Kim Dong Chul – 9.7

Distances: 5 lengths/2.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. HAengunui Mannam 5. Seungniuihamseong 6. Mustang Queen 7. Beauty Icheon 8. Sen Girl 9. Nicole Windsor 10. Allegrissimo 11. Cyclone 12. Flower 13. Gyeonghuimanse 14. Areumdaun Party

After the Korean Oaks was over with there was more Featured (although non-Stakes) action to come, in the shape of the Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy. Going into the race, which was for class 2 fillies and mares, the exciting US import Empire World (Empire Maker) was hot favourite to add to her previous four victories from five starts. It was not to be, however, as the only Korean bred filly in the race, Dongbangmiin took a narrow half-length victory over Queen of Rain with Empire World back in fourth.

Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy – Busan Race Park – 1800M – August 21, 2011

1. Dongbangmiin (KOR) [Yehudi-Pyeonghwaroun (Kingsview)] – You Hyun Myung – 5.8, 1.9
2. Queen Of Rain (USA) [Lion Heart-Prosperous Move (Arch)] – Jo Sung Gon – 1.5
3. Lovely Woman (AUS) [Lion Heart – Ayu Alight (Ali Royal)] – Akane Yamamoto – 2.8

Distances: 0.5 lengths/1.25 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Empire World (USA) 5. Tamna Taehu (USA) 6. Ganggong Alpha (JPN) 7. Lady Pres (USA) 8. Gayatansaeng (NZ) 9. Royale Embrace (USA)

In English, “Useung” means “Winning”. Useung Touch has now won five of her nine starts. She’ll almost certainly be back in Seoul for a rematch with Gwangyajeil in the Minister’s Cup – the final leg of the Triple Crown – in October. In this kind of form, there’s no reason why she can’t have the winning touch there too.

Yeonseung Daero Downed At Busan

Met Champion Beaten by Nuri Choegang / Wolsley’s Gyeongkwaehanjilju Scores

He might have beaten some of the biggest names in Korean racing to win the Busan Metropolitan last month but Yeonseung Daero was brought crashing back down to Earth in the second of co-feature races at Busan this afternoon.

Beaten today: Yeonseung Daero & Choi Si Dae

Having triumphed over Dongbanui Gangja, Tough Win and Dangdae Bulpae in the “Summer Grand Prix”, the five-year old Yeonseung Daero was sent off heavy favourite to win the nine-furlong handicap. However, it was US five-year old Nuri Choegang [Awesome Of Course-Jamie Love] who made all from gate to wire to claim victory with Yeonseung Daero trailing all the way and failing to make any in-roads into his lead in the final furlong, eventually going down by a length and a half.

To avoid the heavy weights he would be required to carry in Korean-bred only handicaps, Yeonseung Daero is always entered in Open races where he consistently faces tougher opposition resulting in him having a record of “just” 15 wins from 35 starts. Nevertheless, with a two-kilo weight advantage, few expected him to be beaten by Nuri Choegang, a horse recording his 9th career win.

Treble: Jo Sung Gon

Nuri Choegang completed a treble of winners for jockey Jo Sung Gon who made a small dent into Toshio Uchida’s lead at the top of the Jockey Championship – Mr. Pink himself scoring a double (Akane Yamamoto was also among the winners meaning Japanese jockeys accounted for three races on the day).

Jo took out both co-feature races by winning race 9 on four year-old grey Gyeongkwaehanjilju [Tapit-Cozzie Maxine]. The colt, trained by Australian Peter Wolsley was winning for the seventh time in his thirteen race career and for the first time at class 1. For trainer Wolsley, it was the 110th winner of his time in Korea.

Tomorrow, attention turns to Seoul before racing returns to Busan on Sunday for the track’s biggest race of the year, the 2011 Korean Oaks. Here’s what’s happening when and where for the rest of the weekend:

Saturday August 20

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:30
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:20

Sunday August 21

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:10
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:30 to 17:10 including the Korean Oaks at 16:15 and the Gold Circle Turf Club Trophy at 17:10.

South Africa’s Aldo Domeyer Wins YTN Cup

Turkey’s Ahmet Celik Is 7th KRA International Jockey Challenge winner

Aldo Domeyer and Tango Step return victorious in the YTN Cup

South African Aldo Domeyer guided 21/1 shot Tango Step to victory in the YTN Cup at Seoul Race Park this evening. However, while Domeyer got the Stakes win glory, it is Turkish rider Ahmet Celik who heads home with the bigger check after securing overall victory in the two-race International Jockey Invitational.

Korean jockeys had very much the better of the draw for rides in the YTN Cup but it was one of those not involved in the challenge itself, Kim Hae Sun, who immediately set out for the lead on 5/1 Kkochyeoul. She may not have been taking part in the challenge, but she was out to secure some history and become the first Korean woman to win a Stakes race. It looked like it may happen too as Kkochyeoul remained in the lead until midway down the home straight. Almost last as they began the long turn for home, Domeyer and Tango Step began picking off the horses in front of them and, shifting onto the rail, hit the front with a furlong to go.

Once in the lead, the result was never in doubt and they raced away to record a two length victory from Kkochyeoul with 8/1 Fortunata in third under Shin Hyoung Chul. Tango Step was one of only two Korean bred entrants in the race. She moves onto six wins from fifteen starts. Domeyer returned to the unsaddling enclosure with arms in the air and shouting in celebration – a refreshing change from the poker-faced automaton-like response to a Stakes win that we are accustomed to here.

Ahmet Celik on the Winner's Podium

The next best placed international rider was Ahmet Celik, all the way back in eighth on Hwansanguimulgyeol, but with Celik having won the first leg of the challenge and Domeyer while Domeyer finished last, it was enough for the Turkish jockey to take overall victory. Korean riders filling places 3-7 meant that, for what it was worth, Korea took the team prize.

YTN Cup – International Jockey Invitational – Seoul Race Park – 1900M – August 14, 2011

1. Tango Step (KOR) [Jump Start – Jewell Dare (Woodman)] – Aldo Domeyer (Turkey) – 22.8, 5.5
2. Kkochyeoul (USA) [Essence Of Dubai – A Star Has Risen (Rock Band)] – Kim Hae Sun – 2.9
3. Fortunata (KOR) [Eurosilver – Eleanor’s Song (Seattle Song)] – Shin Hyoung Chul (Korea) – 2.6

Distances: 2.5 lengths/1.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Uigiyangyang (Choi Bum Hyun – Korea) 5. Burning Sky (Cho Kyoung Ho – Korea) 6. Blueband Mama (Park Tae Jong – Korea) 7. Imperial Girl (Oh Kyoung Hoan – Korea) 8. Hwansanguimulgyeol (Ahmet Celik – Turkey) 9. Silent Dashing (Jo In Kwen – Korea) 10. Sky Center (Rory Cleary – Ireland) 11. Pilseung Korea (Moon Jung Kyun) 12. Cheongalcheoreom (Dwayne Dunn – Australia) 13. Alpha Lady (Ronald Woodworth – Malaysia) 14. A Wanted Affair (Yoshihiro Furukawa – Japan)

Ace Galloper Prepares for an easy victory



After the Jockey Challenge there was a moment that Korean racing fans have been waiting a long time for as Baekgwang (The Groom Is Red) made his return to the track after an eighteen month layoff. It had been the grey’s third lengthy spell on the sidelines after previously undergoing stem-cell treatment on his troublesome knee. He was always going to be up against it today as taking him on was Ace Galloper (Chapel Royal) currently Seoul’s number one ranked Korean born horse.

Baekgwang Strolls back after finishing fifth

And it was a routine victory for Ace Galloper as he cruised to the front entering the home straight and effortlessly opened up an unassailable lead, crossing the line six lengths ahead of second placed Natural Guy. Baekgwang, who was kept well-placed throughout by Park Tae Jong, was unable to come up with his traditional closing burst of speed but still managed to finish in a creditable – and moneying – fifth place. Concerningly, he did seem to be slightly hobbling as he left the unsadddling enclosure. We know better than to write Baekgwang off though so hopefully it won’t be the last time we see him on the track.

Next week we return to a daytime schedule and it’s at Busan where the main action will be. Once more there is a South African connection with the Gold Circle Turf Club Trophy up for grabs, however, the main event is undoubtedly Sunday’s Korean Oaks. We’ll begin the build-up right here, very soon.

Australia's Dwayne Dunn watches the Prize-giving ceremony

Ireland's Rory Cleary

YTN showed their race live on their News Channel

Ahmet Celik Wins First Leg Of Jockey Challenge

Turkey’s Ahmet Celik took victory in the first leg of the International Jockey Invitational at Seoul Race Park on Saturday evening. The Turkish rider guided 5/1 shot Sagunyukjin to a comfortable 4 length win ahead of Korea team captain Park Tae Jong on Bichui Adeul. Dwayne Dunn of Australia grabbed an unlikely third place for the International team on 33/1 outsider Yosulgongju.

Here’s the full result with win and place odds.

Seoul Race Park – Race 9 – 1900M Handicap (Domestic Class 2)

1. Sagunyukjin – Ahmet Celik (Turkey) – 6.1, 1.7
2. Bichui Adeul – Park Tae Jong (Korea) – 6.4, 1.7
3. Yosulgongju – Dawyne Dunn (Australia) – 34.2, 7.3
4. Forest Wind – Moon Se Young (Korea) – 2.3, 1.2
5. Isangwha – Oh Kyoung Hoan (Korea) – 5.0, 1.8
6. Mannamui Chubok – Ronald Woodworth (Malaysia) – 19.9, 5.2
7. Pyeongchangjeil – Rory Cleary (Ireland) 9.3, 2.6
8. Photo Stone – Cho Kyoung Ho (Korea) – 24.1, 6.3
9. Choedayeonseung – Yoshihiro Furukawa (Japan) – 38.8, 6.0
10. Oregon – Jo In Kwen (Korea) – 36.3, 8.6
11. Helmitonia – Aldo Domeyer (South Africa) – 92.6, 18.4

Distances: 4 lengths/Neck

It was a good day for Celik who also picked up a ride earlier and landed a fourth place finish in a non-challenge race. The second and final leg of the challenge itself is the YTN Cup on Sunday evening and Celik will have his work cut out on outsider Hwansanguimulgyeol if he is to maintain his lead at the top. Korean jockeys seem to have landed the favourites although Aldo Meyer on Tango Step and Yoshihiro Furukawa on A Wanted Affair can’t be ruled out. The race is at 19.25.

In other races on Saturday, Jumong (Johar) scored a convincing win over K J Khan in the feature handicap. The four-year old was winning his second consecutive class 1 race. Earlier, there was a second Korean win for Makoto Noda. The Japanese jockey guided 3/1 shot Ace Bolt (Milwaukee Brew) to a two-length win in race 6.

Apart from the conclusion of the jockey challenge, Sunday at Seoul is set to be a big day. Baekgwang (The Groom Is Red finally makes his return after 18 months on the sidelines. The great grey will have it all to do though as he faces Ace Galloper (Chapel Royal), currently Seoul’s best domesticaly born horse.

Two races before the YTN Cup, Seoul will honour the jockeys who have lost their lives at the track over the years. The Jockey Memorial race was held for the first time in 2008, marking the first anniversary of the death of Lim Dae Gyu during a race at Seoul. A year later it was extended to remember all those jockeys – Seo Dae Won, Kim Tae Sung, Lee Jun Hee, Yoo Hun and Lim himself.

The Seoul Jockey Room (along with International visitors) stand before last year's Jockey Memorial race

The Jockey Memorial Race is now run on the last Sunday of night racing each year. A minute’s silence will be observed simultaneously in the weighing rooms at both Seoul and Busan

Sunday August 14

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 14:20 to 21:00 including the YTN Cup at 19:25
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 16:30 to 20:35

* We’ll have full real-time updates live from Seoul Race Park throughout Sunday on twitter – 3G and wi-fi permitting.

Cho Takes A Tumble While Viva Ace Stuns Cheonnyeon Daero

Champion jockey Cho Kyoung Ho took a dramatic fall in front of the grandstand at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Odds-on favourite Raon Speed rears up to throw champion jockey Cho Kyoung Ho to the ground

Cho was due to partner Raon Speed in race 7, but as soon as they appeared on the track to canter to the start, the odds-on favourite decided he didn’t fancy a race today and threw the Champion to the ground twice.

Cho was able to stagger across to the unsaddling enclosure

The second time, Cho took a heavy fall and was treated on the side of the track for some minutes but eventually, and fortunately, was able to make it into the ambulance unassisted.

Despite taking a very heavy fall, Cho was able to make his own way into the ambulance

Up until then, Cho had been having a good weekend with a treble on Saturday and another winner today helping him increase his lead over Moon Se Young at the top of the Jockey championship. Moon took advantage late on today to score victory on Grand First [Salt Lake – Grand Meeting] in the second of co-feature races. The first of the co-features was won by Kim Hae Sun on Special Day [Congaree- – Mon Cherie]. It was the second leg of a double for Kim who is now looking set to become the first Korean female to establish herself among the elite thoroughbred jockeys on the peninsula.

Beaten: Cheonnyeon Daero

It was down at Busan where the main headline on the track was made. 2010 Korean Derby winner Cheonnyeon Daero [Creek Cat – Doneitmyway] was taking on a field full of imported horses but nevertheless was still sent off as the long-odds on favourite. It wasn’t to be, however, as second favourite Viva Ace [Macho Uno – Dancing Lake], who was always handy throughout, ground down the former Classic winner in the final furlong and raced away to record a two and a half-length victory.

Cheonnyeon Daero remains stuck with a less than impressive win record – only 7 from 24 starts – this was his 11th second place. As for Viva Ace, it was his first win at class 1 and his 6th in total from 10 career starts.

Next week sees the final weekend of evening racing and a big one it is too. The YTN Cup is the highlight and will be the final race of the International Jockey Challenge which takes place over four races on Saturday and Sunday. Australia’s Dwayne Dunn, Ireland’s Rory Cleary and South Africa’s Aldo Domeyer are among the six jockeys set to make up the international team. We’ll have a full preview later in the week.

Lights On: The field mills around under the lights at the 1700 metre start