Moon Se Young landed four winners on the day but, as the former champion jockey heads into yet another suspension, it was rising star Jo In Kwen who landed the feature race as he helped Real Victor live up to his name at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Putting them in the shade: Real Victor and Jo In Kwen hit the front

Real Victor was sent off as second favourite in the eight and a half furlong main event After sitting towards the back for much of the race, Jo guided the four-year old colt through the field with a blistering final furlong run to take the line a length ahead of Natural Guy. Symphony Sonata (a half-brother to former Blue Grass Stakes winner Dominican through their dam First Violin) grabbed a shock third place – his first money finish since October 2009.

He may have had four winners but Moon Se Young still didn't look too pleased as he contemplated his next four-day ban

Earlier, Moon Se Young had shown his class with four routine victories including on the improving Tiger Wing (Repent) in race 9. However, he’s going to have a fortnight off to spend his prize money after picking up a four-day ban yesterday for the kind of crazy first corner manoeuvre that he is becoming notorious for.

Although he won the Jockey Championship in 2008, he was, unfortunately injured for much of the 2009 season. Last year, he was neck and neck with Cho Kyoung Ho at the end of November before picking up a lengthy ban which gifted the title to his rival. This year, it seems he has been suspended more often than not.

For up and coming Jo In Kwen who, in the past few weeks has passed the milestones of both his 100th career winner and his first Stakes race victory, it was another very good day.

Down at Busan it was another extremely good day for Toshio Uchida as the Japanese jockey claimed victory in both co-feature races. First up he took the domestic Class 1 handicap on Mupae Star before winning the foreign class 1 on Daldeongi (Whywhywhy). Uchida remains untouchable at the top of the Busan Jockey CHampionship.

Ruler Of The Gold takes command at Seoul today

Earlier back at Seoul, there was a second win for US three-year old Ruler Of The Gold (Tribal Rule). The colt always looked to be a late developer and looked very sharp when coolly taking the seven furlong race 7.

Next week is a big one. At Busan it is the KNN Cup, a race that will see Derby winners Cheonnyeon Daero and Ebony Storm, President’s Cup winner Dangdae Bulpae and Governor’s Cu winner Yeonseung Daero among a field of Busan’s top Korean bred horses. Meanwhile, Seoul’s best fillies and mares will battle it out for the Owners Association Trophy. Full build-up to both of them will be on the blog in the coming days.

Seoul Racecourse - June 5, 2011

Double Grand Prix Winner Comfortably Defeats Tough Win in Stretch Duel To Win “Clash Of The Champions”

Dongbanui Gangja turned the tables on Tough Win to claim victory in the feature event at Seoul Race Park this afternoon to score his first win in over a year and get the better of the battle of three former Horse of the Year winners.

Dongbani Gangja and Moon Jung Kyun win the "Clash of the Champions" at Seoul

It had been a bad 12 months for Dongbanui Gangja. Once the undisputed best horse on the peninsula, he had always had a tendency to run wide in the home straight causing him to cover far more ground than necessary. He got away with it for twelve consecutive victories, including the Grand Prix Stakes in both 2008 and 2009 until he ran into the then unbeaten Tough Win – two years his junior – in the Busan Metropolitan last July. The younger horse prevailed, Dongbanui Gangja veering wildly off the racing line as the field turned for hom, eventually finishing ninth.

This would be repeated, albeit less dramatically in the KRA Cup Classic – won by Tough Win, and would thwart his attempt to secure an unprecedented third Grand Prix title. It looked like he may never win again. Today though, with race conditions allowing for a dramatic drop in the weight he usually has to carry, things were different.

With Dongbanui Gangja only carrying 51 kilos today, lightweight Moon Jung Kyun got the ride

Because of that weight drop, regular jockey Choi Bum Hyun couldn’t ride and Moon Jung Kyun was drafted in to partner the former champion for the first time and Dongbanui Gangja was sent off second favourite behind the odds-on Tough Win. While outsider Big Sox took the lead early on with Tough Win close behind, Dongbanui Gangja sat right at the back of the field. Midway through the back straight though, he made his customary move, rounding the field within the space of 100 metres and slotting in on the rail slapbang in front of Tough Win.

This time he stayed on the rail. Rounding the home turn, it became clear that this was going to be a private battle between Dongbanui Gangja and his former usurper. And with Dongbanui Gangja running in a straight line for once, Tough Win had no answer and was three lengths behind as the winner crossed the line. Dongbanui Gangja was back in the winner’s circle.

Tough Win canters to the start for what would be his third career defeat

Jumong came in third, with the final former Horse of the Year in the race, Bally Brae grabbing the final money finish in fifth.

Class 1 (Foreign) – Seoul Race Park – 1900M – June 4, 2011

1. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)] – Moon Jung Kyun – 3.6, 1.4
2. Tough Win (USA) [Yonaguska – Maggie May’s Sword (Sword Dance)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 1.1
3. Jumong (USA) [Johar – Foreign Aid (Danzid)] – Jo In Kwen – 1.5

Distances: 3 lengths/3 lengths – 10 ran

Dongbanui Gangja moves on to eighteen victories from thirty career starts. Today everything came right in a way that it might not again. Regardless of this and of whether Tough Win, who was slow to emerge for the post parade, was at 100%, Dongbanui Gangja is a special horse who still only six years old, has plenty still to offer.

Here’s what’s happening tomorrow:

Sunday June 5

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:30
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:30 to 17:00

Seoul Racecourse - June 4, 2011

Outsiders Sweep Placings in Sports Chosun Cup

Yodongjewang led home a trifecta of outsiders to win the Sports Chosun Cup at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. In what is traditionally one of the biggest betting races of the year, the 12/1 shot held off Tamnaseontaek to take a half-length win and give rising star jockey Jo In Kwen his first ever Stakes win.

Yodongjewang struts around the Sports Chosun Winner's Circle

Punters eventually sent four-year old colt The Almighty off as slight favourite and he showed at the front early along with outsider Jangbi Sarang and the well-fancied Namchonuichukje. All of these fell away in the home stretch of the nine furlong race though as Jo Kwen took Yodongjewang, who was always handily placed into the lead and outsprinted Tamnaseontaek and the fast finishing Yeongtap to claim the victory.

First Stakes Win: Jo In Kwen

A stewards’ inquiry didn’t change the placings of the first three and Yodongjewang scored just his fourth win of a twelve race career to date.

For jockey Jo In Kwen, it was a first ever Stakes victory. Just two weeks ago the 24-year-old reached the milestone of 100 career winners and today confirmed his place as the hottest young riding property at Seoul. If the rumours of Busan’s Jo Sung Gon heading north to the capital prove true, there is going to be a lot of young talent in the weighing room.

Some punters also went home happy; the trio (picking the first three horses in any order) in the Sports Chosun paid 2134/1.

Sports Chosun Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – May 22, 2011

1. Yodongjewang (KOR) [Field Asuka – Mary Wonder (Shahrastani)] – Jo In Kwen – 12.5, 4.5
2. Tamnaseontaek (KOR) [War Zone – Every Michelle (Every Intent)] – Oh Kyoung Hoan – 4.7
3. Yeongtap (KOR) [Sunday Well – Full Time (Fiercely)] – Yoo Sang Wan – 5.6

Distances: 0.5 lengths/Neck
Also Ran: 4. Super Rich 5. Forest Wind 6. Jeumeundeungi 7. Namchonuichukje 8. Saebyeogi 9. Anseong Chikje 10. The Almighty 11. Suseung Equus 12. D. Day Plus 13. Jangbi Sarang 14. Badasin

The long shots weren’t done there. In the feature handicap an hour after the Sports Chosun, 74/1 Out And About (Outflanker) scored a very unlikely victory over Captain Cugat and odds-on favourite Baekjeonmupae. It was five-year old Out And About’s first attempt at class 1 and he was given a great ride by Park Byeong Yun who was a late replacement for Moon Se Young who was unfortunately injured during racing yesterday.

They're sweet but very annoying: "Wink" paid their first visit of the year to Gwacheon

Down at Busan, the feature race went the way of Mulbora, who scored an impressive win over KO Punch and last year’s Champion Juvenile Bulkkot Gisang. 2008 Derby winner Ebony Storm was fourth in the event which was run over a mile.

Ebony Storm, the longest shot on the board when he won his Derby in a monsoon downpour at Seoul three years ago never really followed up on that success. Indeed, so disappointing was he that he managed to get himself gelded. SInce then, he has re-emerged as a useful sprinter and consistently picks up money finishes. As for Mulbora, it was a second consecutive victory and his eighth in total.

So concludes another weekend of racing on the peninsula. It was a glorious day today but next week it’s forecast to get hot. Very hot.

Seoul Racecourse - May 22, 2011

Choi Bum Hyun and Baekhomujeok win the JRA Trophy

Barring late misfortune befalling another, Choi Bum Hyun won’t be riding in the Korean Derby tomorrow. He won’t mind too much, however, after landing the Japan Racing Association (JRA) Trophy on 20/1 outsider Baekhomujeok at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Baekhomujeok in the JRA Trophy Winner's Circle

Choi is often maligned by some sections of the Gwacheon punting colony for his habit of going wide around the field to win. Today though, he and the three-year old Baekhomujeok were on the rail all the way as, after always being well-place, they came through to overhaul long time leader Kkochyeoul in the last 100 metres to grab a half-length win. Mass Media’s Tea was a further length back in third, the first three having spent the whole of the race at the front of the field.

Choi Bum Hyun was a winner today

Baekhomujeok (Sharp Humor) was imported to Korea as a two-year old last year (his original name was Late Night Comic) and has now won four of his six starts. Pre-race favourite Ppoppai finished a disappointing fourth after running wide on the final turn. This time, it wasn’t a Choi Bum Hyun ridden favourite who was going wide. Instead for all his faults, Choi was winning his twelfth Stakes race in the last four years.

Today was the twentieth running of the JRA Trophy – and in a rather odd move, the KRA opted to mark the occasion by having “Arirang”, the most Korean of Korean folk songs, played as the visiting JRA representatives presented the prizes.

Blooming Great: Jo In Kwen lands the feature handicap on Blooming

In other races, 2010 Korean Oaks winner Euro Fighter was sent off at 30/1 in the feature class 2 handicap. Given that she hadn’t won since that day at Busan last Summer, it was a fair call by bettors. She didn’t win, but put in a very creditable performance to finish two lengths behind the five-year old winner Blooming, who landed another big race win for Jo In Kwen.

Jo gets his first crack at The Derby tomorrow. We’ll have our final preview a little bit later on.

JRA Trophy – Seoul Race Park – 1200M – May 14, 2011

1. Baekhomujeok (USA) [Sharp Humor – Lip Gloss (Lit De Justice) – Choi Bum Hyun – 23.3, 4.5
2. Kkocchyeoul (USA) [Essence Of Dubai – A Star Has Risen (Rock Band)] – Jung Pyeong Soo – 3.4
3. Mass Media’s Tea (USA) [Mass Media – Tea Pot Joy (Joyeax Danseur)] – Moon Se Young – 1.7

Distances: 0.5 lengths/1 length
Also Ran: 4. Ppoppai 5. Celebrate Tonight 6. Imperial Girl 7. Magic Party 8. Bichui Jeonsa 9. Fortunata 10. Es Four 11. Dream Heart

The Japanese flag flies at Gwacheon today - the KRA opted to play "Arirang" during the JRA Trophy Winner's Ceremony

100th Winner for Jo In Kwen / Mister Park Streak Hits Fourteen

Jo In Kwen passed an important milestone at Seoul Race Park today as he became the first of the “New Generation” of Korean jockeys to record his 100th winner. The landmark arrived in race 4, as Jo partnered favourite, Power Runner to a routine two-length victory. It was his 811th ride since making his debut in June 2008.

Ton-Up: Jo In Kwen

The “New Generation” comprises graduates of the KRA’s Jockey Academy which, with overseas riding instructors, has been churning out riders with a more westernized style and approach to racing. Of course once they graduate and are apprenticed to a trainer – all ex-jockeys themselves – they are expected to ride in the old style. However, class is gradually begininng to show through and the likes of Jo, Boo Min Ho and this year’s stand-out debutant Jang Chu Yeol are some of those young riders making quick in-roads into the upper-echelons of the weighing room.

Among them is Kim Hae Sun who looks like she has a chance of being the first female rider to break through to the top-tier. Today, she scored her 21st career winner with a typically dashing performance on Ganghanyeosin in race 5. That Ganghanyeosin was favourite is telling. Kim is the first female rider to have regular opportunities on fancied horses. And when she gets those opportunities, she converts them at a rate equal to anybody’s.

Kim Hae Sun Drives Ganghanyeosin to victory at Seoul today

In the feature race today, Jo In Kwen could only manage second place, albeit on a 35/1 outsider, as 4/1 High Point took the honours by a comfortable five lengths. It was five-year old High Point’s second consecutive victory and his first at class 1.

Down at Busan, Korea’s current number one horse Mister Park (Ecton Park) further enhanced his reputation as he moved onto fourteen straight wins by taking the feature race. Facing exclusively foreign-bred opposition for the first time and with a relatively unknown jockey on board, punters still sent the 2010 Grand Prix winner off as the long odds-on favourite. And, despite one or two nervous moments, he didn’t let them down. Bounding out of the gate into an early lead, Lee Dae Yeon and Mister Park had the race fully under control from the beginning and looked set for a comfortable win.

Mister Park (Pic: KRA)

However, as they entered the home stretch, Sinheung Hwangjae, a five-year old Australian bred horse emerged from the field and challenged the leader on his inside. With two furlongs to go, he drew level and for the next furlong the lead changed hands a number of times. For just a moment, it looked as though the champion was going to falter but it was only for a moment. As they entered the final 150 metres, Mister Park shifted gears again and eased away from his opponent, recording a three-length victory on the line.

The streak is intact – following defeat on his racecourse debut, Mister Park has now gone fourteen races without suffering another.

* Yesterday at Seoul, the “rubber match” between Jumong and Bally Brae was crashed emphatically by Strong Demand (Read The Footnotes), who justified his favourite tag by scoring a two and a half-length victory in the feature race. Jumong (Johar) got the better of Bally Brae (Yarrow Brae) as the pair finished second and third respectively to take a 2-1 lead in their 2011 head-to-heads.

Next week it’s the big one. The 14th Korean Derby. All the build-up will be here throughout the week.

Seoul Racecourse, May 8, 2011

We may have a good one on our hands. Lion Santa kept his unbeaten record intact with a late surge to comfortably see off some top-class opposition in the Kookje Sinmun Stakes at Busan Race Park this afternoon.

The Kookje Sinmun is a rare chance for Busan’s imported horses to race for a Stakes prize over a sprint distance and a number of proven horses were out to stop Lion Santa [Lion King – Santa Fe Strip (Phone Trick)] who was sent off the slight odds-on favourite. Park Geum Man on Hudson River Line took the early initiative and it looked at one point in the home straight that they were going to secure an unlikely wire-to-wire victory.

Inevitably, however, they couldn’t maintain the pace and once jockey Kim Dong Young got Lion Santa running for the line they relentlessly made up the distance and cruised past in the final furlong to record a two and a half-length win from 10/1 shot Mystery Boy and Isidae Gangja, the only Korean horse in the race.

That makes it six wins from six races for Lion Santa. He’s won at every distance from five furlongs to a mile so far and there’s nothing in the manner of his victories to suggest that he can’t go further. From now on, he’ll be doing all his racing at class 1.

Kookje Sinmun Stakes – Busan Race Park – 1400M – May 1, 2011

1. Lion Santa (USA) [Lion Heart – Santa Fe Strip (Phone Trick)] – Kim Dong Young – 1.9, 1.2
2. Mystery Boy (USA) [Ecton Park – Mysterious Moll (Bates Motel)] – Jo Chang Wook – 2.6
3. Isidae Gangja (KOR) [Lost Mountain – Angel (Land Rush)] – Choi Si Dae – 2.5

Distances: 2.5 lengths/0.75 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Hudson River Line (USA) 5. Field Tripping (USA) 6. Viva Ace (USA) 7. High Best (USA) 8. Seonnyang Yongsa (AUS) 9. Admiral Reigart (USA) 10. Peolpeol (AUS) 11. Dudeurim (AUS) 12. Global Champ (AUS) 13. Hey Sexy (USA) 14. Royale Embrace (USA)

In Busan’s other big race, Areumdaun Jilju (Didyme) clinched the seventeenth victory of his illustrious career beating out second favourite Winning Perfect by a neck at the end of the 1800 metre handicap. It was another big race win for jockey Toshio Uchida who won two of the today’s six races.

Up at Seoul, the feature race was little more than a formality for the track’s top rated Korean horse Ace Galloper. The four-year old was sent off as the odds-on favourite and utterly crushed his eleven rivals over nine furlongs. By the time they hit the finish line, Cho Kyoung Ho had eased Ace Galloper (Chapel Royal) to an eight length victory over New Year’s Stakes winner Andy’s Runner and last year’s top filly Love Cat.

He Shoots; He Scores: Shoot In and Cho Kyoung Ho ease to victory at Seoul today

Ace Galloper was the second horse Cho Kyoung Ho had the luxury of easing down today. Despite not being on the Classic trail so far, Shoot In (Exploit) has played a big part in it finishing second in his last two outings; first to Yeongung Icheon and then to Gwangyajeil, both of whom are expected to line up for the Korean Derby two weeks today. On today’s form, that pair are worth watching out for as, over 1700 metres, Shoot In comfortably saw off a class 4 field.

Admittedly, he didn’t beat much but the ease of his acceleration when asked and the fact that he clearly ran very much within himself would suggest that this may be a colt that we are likely to hear more from later this year.

Speaking of the Derby, we are indeed just two weeks away. We begin the build-up here, very soon!

On The Turn: It was a dusty day at Seoul Racecourse - Sunday May 1, 2011

Horse Of The Year Tough Win conquered both the wind and the weights to record his eleventh victory from just thirteen lifetime starts in the feature event at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Tough Win and Han Sung Yeol (9) hold off Royal Missile and Park Tae Jong (8) in the feature race

Carrying a stiff 62 kilograms, 7 more than his closest rival in the 1900 metre handicap, the four-year old Tough Win [Yonaguska – Maggie May’s Sword (Sword Dance)] was still sent out as the odds-on favourite. And, ridden for the first time by Han Sung Yeol who was replacing the suspended Cho Kyoung Ho, he didn’t disappoint. Taking over the lead at the top of the home stretch, Tough Win seemed on course for an easy win as he built up a five length lead with a furlong to go despite the wicked head win that buffeted the runners all day long.

Emerging from the pack, however, was outsider Royal Missile. Under Park Tae Jong, the six-year old was carrying 12 kilos less than the favourite and it showed as they reeled in the leader, Han just managing to coax Tough Win over the line half a length ahead of the challenger. To underline their superiority, second favourite Baekjeonjeonseung was a full eight lengths back in third.

It was a gutsy performance from Tough Win and a good ride from Han Sung Yeol who pushed the gelding only as much as he absolutely had to given the weight he was carrying. But what next for Tough Win? 1900 metres is at the upper limit of what he is capable of and there isn’t likely to be much respite from the handicapper next time he runs. It seems likely that a defence of his Busan Metropolitan title in July is on the cards although while it’s not a handicap, the 2000 metres may prove too far. Either way, despite the limited options, the 2010 Horse of the Year remains a top talent.

Magic Party and Park Tae Jong parade before romping home in race 9

Another top talent is Magic Party. When she won the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup last autumn she looked set for instant stardom. It’s taken a little longer for her to settle as a three-year old but today, in her third attempt at a race around two turns of the Seoul track, she was finally successful.

And an impressive display it was too as she stretched away from an otherwise almost fully male class 2 field to win race 9 by four lengths. Having been born in Korea but sired elsewhere, Magic Party [Artie Schiller – Gigi’s Magic (Allen’s Prospect)] isn’t eligible for the three-year old classics, but with five wins from eight starts in the bank, it may not be too long before we see her mixing it with the biggest names in Korean racing.

Park Sang Woo rides Senator Ron past the cherry blossoms on their way to second place in race 4

Down at Busan there was a filly who was already mixing it with the best for the first time today. Bulkkot Gisang (Langfuhr) had racked up an impressive seven wins from seven starts to graduate to the elite level. Today, she took her bow at class 1. Though sent off as favourite it didn’t go to plan. Under Jo Sung Gon, Bulkkot Gisang showed briefly at the front but had little to offer in the home straight eventually finishing ninth as second-favourite Mulbora scored a narrow victory over Great Value and Mupae Star.

Where to go from here? It’s a question that owners face the world over. For different reasons, connections of Bulkkot Gisang and Tough Win both have some thinking to do this evening.

It took a while to track down but this weekend wouldn't have been complete without a glass raised to another owner.

Busan Scores Clean Sweep in Clash Of The Champions at Seoul

Dangdae Bulpae had it all his own way as he added the Ttukseom Cup to his Minister’s and President’s Cups titles at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Derby winner Cheonnyeon Daero was second while his stablemate Yeonseung Daero made it a clean sweep of the placings for Busan horses by finishing third.

Dangdae Bulpae and Jo Sung Gon in the Ttukseom Cup Winner's Circle

While his last visit to the capital ended in defeat as he failed to stay the distance behind Mister Park in the Grand Prix Stakes, today, running at seven furlongs for the first time in his career, there were no such worries. Under Jo Sung Gon, Dangdae Bulpae was always well placed and hit the front with a furlong and a half to go.

Cheonnyeon Daero tried to go with him but was beaten for speed while the fast finishing Yeonseung Daero left his run too late to reel in the winner, jockey Jo able to relax in the final fifty metres as the pair cruised to their fourth Stakes win together.

Cheonnyeon Daero - The Derby winner got the closest to Dangdae Bulpae

A late developer as a three-year old, Dangdae Bulpae [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] was third behind Cheonnyeon Daero in the Korean Derby last year. He then embarked on a glorious summer and autumn which brought victories in the Gyeongnam Governor’s Stakes as well as those Minister’s and President’s Cups back in the capital. Aside from a shock reverse at the hands of Mupae Star, that Grand Prix setback is the only real blot on a career which has seen eleven wins from sixteen starts.

And that Grand Prix winner, Mister Park, is all that stands between Dangdae Bulpae and recognition as the best Korean born horse on the peninsula. Mister Park, being Korean born, but not bred, couldn’t take part today, but their paths will surely cross again.

It was another desperately disappointing – if not especially surprising – result for Seoul. Finishing fourth, Wangson was the best placed of the home track’s entries with last year’s winner Triple Seven in sixth. Busan leads this year’s head to head by in Stakes races by two to nothing.

Ttukseom Cup (KOR.GIII) – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – Sunday Apr 17, 2011

1. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] – Jo Sung Gon – 2.0, 1.2
2. Cheonnyeon Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat – Doneitmyway (Northern Flagship)] – Park Geum Man – 2.4
3. Yeonseung Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat – Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] – Choi Si Dae – 1.8

Distances: 1.75 lengths/0.75 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Wangson 5. Namdo Jeap 6. Triple Seven 7. Triple Sinhwa 8. Suseong TX 9. Baengnyeonbong 10. The Almighty 11. Golden Rose 12. Tamna Hero 13. Best Holls 14. Tamnahwanhui

* Earlier in the day at Seoul, there was a match-up between two of the track’s highest rated three-year old colts. Shoot In (Exploit) and Gwangyajeil (VIcar) have been kept off the Triple Crown trail so far but could make an appearance later in the season. Today, it was Gwangyajeil who got the better of their battle in race 8, with a four length win.

* With the track’s domestic stars up in Seoul, the feature race at Busan was for the imports. It was won by favourite Kiwi’s Playboy (Cloud Hoppin) for jockey Toshio Uchida. The win was Uchida’s third of the afternoon, the Japanese rider having earlier taken both races 1 and 2.

Seoul Racecourse, Sunday April 17, 2011

Raon Glory wins HRI Trophy / Ttukseom Cup in D-1

Moon Se Young is a smart guy. When picking up a four meeting ban for getting Florida Sox demoted back to third in last Sunday’s feature race, he was quick to request a one-week delay to the start of his lay-off.

Knowing Smile: Moon Se Young

As is customary when the jockey has a ride in a big race the following weekend, the Stewards agreed. It seems though that Moon didn’t necessarily have his eye on the mount of Suseong TX in tomorrow’s Ttukseom Cup, but rather on several this afternoon that saw him ride off with five winners.

Chief among them was victory in the feature event, the Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Trophy on favourite Raon Glory (Tapit). The pair hit the front of the seven-furlong race inside the final furlong and stretched away to a three-length win from the weakening long-time leader Yuseongjeil. Outsider Major Girl finished strongly to take third in the all-filly and mare Cup race.

Raon Glory: HRI Trophy Winner

Raon Glory, a four-year old grey filly, now has six wins from nine lifetime starts and looks set to join class 1 company very soon. As for Moon, it was the third of five wins on the day to send him off on his enforced break with plenty of spending money.

The HRI Trophy is one of a number of “International Exchange” races run each year. In addition to Ireland, the KRA has arrangements with racing authorities in Japan, Australia, South Africa, Macau, Malaysia and Turkey whereby each sponsor a race in the other’s country. The link with Ireland is one of the longest standing; today’s race being the fifteenth running of the HRI Trophy.

HRI Trophy – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – April 16, 2011

1. Raon Glory (KOR) [Tapit – Queen Lu Lu (Kingmambo)] – Moon Se Young – 1.6, 1.1
2. Yuseongjeil (KOR) [Creek Cat – Haetpit Maeul (Mujaazif)] – Choi Bum Hyun – 4.3
3. Mighty Girl (KOR) [Duality – Our Kaapstad (Kaapstad)] – Won Jung Il – 11.1

Distances: 3 lengths/Nose – 14 ran

Seoul basked in beautiful sunshine today and it should continue tomorrow for one of the highlights of the Korean racing year, the 23rd running of the Group 3 Ttukseom Cup. While Triple Seven, Suseong TX and Wangson will be doing their best to keep the silverware in the capital, most observers see the business end of the race being contested by the visitors from Busan.

Derby winner Cheonnyeon Daero should relish the drop back to 1400 metres as should Minister’s and President’s Cup Champion Dangdae Bulpae. Then there’s Yeonseung Daero; arguably the best Korean bred horse on the peninsula, he usually only takes on foreign opposition and isn’t fussy about the distance. Also lining up is Triple Sinhwa, a horse who was a well beaten second behind Cheonnyeon Daero last month but is another for whom the shorter distance could be a benefit.

The big race is at 16:35 and is race nine of an eleven race card at Seoul which starts at 11:10am. There are also six races at Busan from 12:30 to 17:05. Here is a final run-down of the runners and riders for the Ttukseom Cup (Name / pedigree / race records (Races/1sts/2nds/3rds)/jockey / (home track)

Ttukseom Cup (KOR.GIII) – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – Sunday Apr 17, 16:35

1. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] – (15/10/1/1) – Jo Sung Gon (Busan)
2. Best Holls (KOR) [Fierecely – Onethindime (Tactical Advantage)] – (15/5/1/2) – Jung Ki Yong (Seoul)
3. Suseong TX (KOR) [Concept Win – Oktong-I (Kyoei Blossom)] – (21/7/4/4) – Moon Se Young (Seoul)
4. Triple Sinhwa (KOR) [Capital Spending – Claudia’s Secret (Crafty Prospector)] – (15/6/6/0) – You Hyun Myung (Busan)
5. Golden Rose (KOR) [Buster’s Daydream – Pop’s Apple (Digangi’s Grinder)] – (21/5/3/3) – Moon Jung Kyun (Seoul)
6. Tamna Hero (KOR) [Creek Cat – The Big C (Deputed Testamony)] (25/8/4/3) – Chae Gyu Jun (Busan)
7. Wangson (KOR) [Distilled – Eastern Tide (Far Out East)] – (17/8/3/1) – Cho Kyoung Ho (Seoul)
8. Tamnahwanhui (KOR) [Al Naba – Bulbijihye (Pro For Sure)] – (18/5/3/1) – Kim Cheol Ho (Seoul)
9. Yeonseung Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat – Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] – (30/13/6/4) – Choi Si Dae (Busan)
10. Namdo Jeap (KOR) [Ft. Stockton – Wandering Katie (Tejano)] – (27/8/7/4) – Kim Dong Young (Busan)
11. Baengnyeonbong (KOR) [Al Naba – Sansovino Art (Mister C.)] – [(25/7/2/7) – Oh Kyoung Hoan (Seoul)
12. The Almighty (KOR) [Capital Spending – Dauntless Cat (Mountain Cat)] – (15/5/3/0) – Ham Wan Sik (Seoul)
13. Triple Seven (KOR) [The Groom Is Red – Impudence (Grand Lodge)] – (34/12/4/7) – Choi Bum Hyun (Seoul)
14. Cheonnyeon Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat – Doneitmyway (Northern Flagship)] – (19/7/7/2) – Park Geum Man (Busan)