Racing Abandoned in the Capital / Yeonseung Daero Wins at Busan

A full-on blizzard mid-way through the card caused racing at Seoul to be abandoned this afternoon. Six races had been completed by the time the decision was made that conditions were no longer safe.

The big screen announces the least surprising news of the day - that racing at Seoul was abandoned after 6 races

While there had been a few flakes drifting in the air when racing got underway at 11:20 this morning, there was little indication of what was to follow. By race 4, snow was falling steadily and then settling on the track. With the driving blizzard limiting visibility, the floodlights were switched on after race 5, however, with the horses at the post for race 6, jockeys dismounted while as much snow was cleared from the track as possible.

A few hardy punters watch Park Tae Jong guide Yeongung Icheon to victory in what would prove to be the last race before Seoul was abandoned

They got back on and Park Tae Jong guided favourite Yeongung Icheon to a victory that could be barely made out on the TV cameras, let alone by the punters sheltering in the grandstand. While efforts were made to continue, it quickly became apparent that such was the volume of snow, horses were finding it difficult to walk in the paddock, let alone on the track.

Kim Hae Sun contemplates getting on her horse in the snow-filled paddock

Shortly after 3pm, it was announced that racing was abandoned for the day. Unlike the last time this happened, there were no near-riots from punters – the time of day and the obviously dreadful conditions contrasting with the day in 2009 when in bright sunshine and with punters having just paid their entry fee, the track was deemed to be frozen.

Seoul’s abandonment meant that all eyes were shifted south to Busan for the southern track’s co-feature races. In the first of them, favourite Areumdaun Jilju put in a disappointing run as Deep Desire took the honours. The four-year old led home rank outsider Boulogne by just over half a length to record the sixth win of his twelve race career.

At least someone had fun at Seoul today

That race was restricted to Korean breds but the finale was open to all. Yeonseung Daero, despite being eligible for the domestic races, was sent out against foreign opposition. And as he usually does, he beat them. Now five-years old, Yeonseung Daero was well-placed throughout and pounced with just over a furlong to go to win by a length and a half from Heukjanggun and Haengbok Dream.

Korean racing needs more horses to be campaigned the way Yeonseung Daero has been. His career record reads just twelve wins from twenty eight starts. However, since turning four, he has only competed in races restricted to Korean bred horses twice – both Major Stakes races. Instead of harvesting comparatively easier handicaps, he’s taken on the best of the imports, culminating in his third place finish in the Grand Prix at Seoul last month.

So that’s racing over with for another week. We never got to see Cheonun take on Triple Seven in Seoul’s feature but all those abandoned races will be rescheduled as additions to forthcoming cards.

Punters head home early after Seoul is abandoned

On another cold day of racing in the Korean capital, it was five-year old Necromancer who ran out winner of the feature Handicap. The Japanese bred gelding beat out a competitive field of fourteen to win by three lengths under jockey Park Tae Jong.

Necromancer and Park Tae Jong Stride to victory

Bally Brae’s little brother Jumong was sent off as favourite for the ten furlong main event but he struggled to make any impression as Necromancer [Air Eminem – I Am The Filly (Symboli Rudolf)] took the lead two furlongs out and cruised home ahead of Dr. Twobillion (Eddington) and Victory Town (Delaware Township). It was only the fifth win of Necromancer’s twenty-five race career and his second at class 1.

It may have been a little warmer today but Choi Won Joon was still taking no chance

While it was another sub-zero day, the lack of any wind made conditions far more pleasant than they had been a week ago and a healthier Saturday crowd was on hand for a day of relatively low-key racing. There was little action on the three-year old front as although Mustang King (Menifee) put in a good performance in race 5 to record his second win from five starts but neither his time nor opposition suggested that he’ll be among the favourites on the Derby trail.

Meanwhile, champion jockey Cho Kyoung Ho was the pick of the riders, landing a treble while Yang Hee Jin scored a rare double. Meanwhile Kim Hae Sun continued her solid start to 2011 by winning on Blue Charming in race 3, her only mount of day.

Racing returns to Seoul on Sunday with an eleven race card from 11:20 to 18:00. Down at Busan there are six races from 12:40 to 16:30. Last year’s Ttukseom Cup winner Triple Seven faces Oaks runner-up Cheonun in Seoul’s feature while Areumdaun Jilju and Yeonseung Daero headline co-features at Busan.

Park Jong Hyun Lands First Winner / Kim Hae Sun Wins Again

Today was the coldest day in Seoul for ten years but for Park Jong Hyun, it will be memorable for a different reason. At her fifty-third attempt and as temperatures plummeted to a painful -16C, the young jockey rode her first ever winner.

Head Down: Park Jong Hyun drives Cheonnyeonmama to victory

And how ever long she rides for, her first winner will be one of her easiest. Three year old filly Cheonnyeonmama had won her first race easily at the tail-end of last season and is one of this year’s most exciting prospects. Although Park had ridden her in her race trials, Jung Ki Yong rode her on her racecourse debut.

This time, Park was given the nod to partner the US import and they were sent off long odds-on favourites for the five furlong race 4. Park immediately sent Cheonnyeonmama [Toccet – Lady Lust (Lord Carson)] into the lead and there was never any danger of them relinquishing it as they strode away from the field for a professional seven length win.

Park Jong Hyun (also known as “Park Jong Mi”) gained her license in July last year along with Kim Jung Jun, Jang Chu Yeol and Lee Gang Seo. Until today, Park was the only one of them to have failed to have recorded at least one win. Today, she nailed her first real opportunity to get it. All new graduates of the KRA’s Jockey Academy are of a high standard and Park has every chance of making a successful career.

Another winner: Kim Hae Sun

One year ahead of her is fellow female rider Kim Hae Sun. Today, Kim scored the thirteenth winner of her own career with a typically smart ride of favourite Don’t Worry in race 1. While Lee Shin Young and Lee Ae Li have both made decent careers, Kim looks likely to eclipse both of them and although it is early days, she could very well go on to be the first woman to compete in the highest echelons of racing in Korea.

There were no class 1 races on the peninsula today but a couple of useful three-year olds were in winning form. Colt Gwangya Jeil won race 7 at Seoul to make it two wins from three starts while down at Busan, filly Useung Touch, third in last year’s Breeders’ Cup, got her three-year old campaign off to a winning start in race 2.

The most valuable race of the day was at Seoul as four year old Cheonhajangsa (Tactical Cat) saw off the rest of a fourteen-strong field by half a length to seal victory in a class 2, 1800 metre handicap. In Busan’s feature, five year old mare Real Winner (Red Sky’s) came through late to score her second consecutive class 2 victory. She’ll be mixing it with the elite next time out.

So ends a weekend which wasn’t really fit for racing. The track staff did a great job in ensuring that there wasn’t even the slightest chance of racing having to be called off. The horses, as they always do, took everything in their stride and gave their all. A word too for punters as although the queues at the betting windows were slightly shorter than on a normal Sunday, 35,000 still turned out.

As for the jockeys, who even on the best of days need to have an ambulance following them around such is the routine danger of their profession, all deserve the highest praise. And for Park Jong Hyun, who returned to the winner’s circle as nonchalantly as one would expect of someone having just won on a 1/5 shot, on this coldest of days, the warmest of congratulations.

Seoul Racecourse - Sunday January 16, 2011

Holy Dreamer Beats Top Point, Ophelia, Double Light Win

If, as is highly probable, over the coming months I write an article bemoaning proposals to give racing at Seoul a winter break once the new racecourse at Yeongcheon opens in 2015, I would be very grateful if somebody could remind me of today. With temperatures far below zero and a wicked wind whipping down the home straight, today was no day for racing. But race they did and as ever, put on a good show for the 30,000 punters in attendance.

It was beautiful, clear and cold cold cold at Seoul Race Park today

The feature race ended in a commanding win for third-favourite Holy Dreamer. The five-year old made the most of a four kilo weight advantage to run-down and overtake the favourite, the venerable seven year old mare Top Point, in the final furlong. It makes it two in a row for Holy Dreamer and a total of ten wins from eighteen career starts.

Bundled-Up: Apprentice jockey Lee Gang Seo tries to keep warm

Earlier in the card, we saw the third big payout in as many racing days as 150/1 shot Hamseong Jilju led home 20/1 New Edition to land a 3800/1 exacta for some lucky punters. Hamseong Jilju was the second of three winners for jockey Lee Gi Hweoi who, in the last, partnered the highly thought of US import Mass Media’s Tea (Mass Media) to his third win in four starts. It was easy for Mass Media’s Tea, who was eased to a four length victory. Behind him, rank outsiders Cheolgamyeon and Jangson filled out a 5000/1 trio.

As an imported horse, Mass Media’s Tea won’t be eligible for this season’s three year old Classics. However, two horses who will be, put in solid performances. Double Light (Menifee) cruised to victory in race 8 over 1700 metres – only 100 metres short of the Derby distance. A little but behind Double Light in terms of development but still impressive is the grey Ophelia who won race 7. Despite the name, Ophelia (Commendable) is a colt and now has two wins and two seconds from four starts.

Double Light and Cho Kyoung Ho ease to victory

Many congratulations must go to the track-staff who ensured that despite the conditions – where the highest temperature all day was -10C, there was never any question of the meeting being called off. At the same time, massive admiration must go to those jockeys and horses who were out on the track.

We’re back racing at Seoul tomorrow when it’s going to be a little – but not much – warmer. There are 11 races from 11:20 to 18:00 while down at Busan there are 6 races from 12:40 to 16:30.

Ace Galloper sent out an ominous warning to his rivals in the older horse division as he strolled to a four-length win at Ice Station Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Ace Galloper returns a winner

In bitterly cold conditions, the four-year old led from gate-to-wire in the feature handicap to notch up his third consecutive win and his tenth in total from fifteen starts. Khanui Huye was second and Janggun Bada third but they might as well have been running in their own race such was Ace Galloper’s dominance of the ten furlong event. Being one of those born in Korea but conceived elsewhere, Ace Galloper couldn’t take part in the three-year old classics in 2010. Indeed even as a four-year old he may find his Stakes options limited but it is clear that Ace Galloper is going to be the horse to beat in the in the big Sunday afternoon handicaps this year.

Ace Galloper was ridden by champion jockey Cho Kyoung Ho but even with big rival Moon Se Young indisposed having picked up an injury during yesterday’s Herald Business, things didn’t go entirely his way as Jung Ki Yong took jockey of the day honours with a quick-fire treble in mid-afternoon.

Jung Ki Yong and New Bird (4) hold off Kim Hae Sun and Milwaukee Money (8) in race 8

First up for Jung was a five-length win on Yeongtap in race 6, quickly followed by a much tighter victory on New Bird in race 7. Then in race 8, Jung and 5/1 shot Namchonuichukje upset Cho on favourite Legal Lady to complete his treble.

Jung had the chance of a fourth in race 9, however, despite setting the early pace on Blooming, he – along with all the other fancied runners – fell away in the home straight to leave the way clear for a 130/1 outsider, the Japanese bred Burning Sky (Stravinsky) to take an unlikely victory. To rub salt in the wounds of all but a very few lucky punters, 50/1 Sky Center and Kim Hae Sun got up to claim second to complete a 5400/1 exacta. Gyongmaman did not win it. If he had, he would not be bothering to type this now.

The key characteristic of Seoul today was that it was cold. Very cold. The warmest it got all day was four degrees below zero while six below was the average. By comparison it was positively t-shirt and shorts weather down at Busan where they manages a princely three degrees above for their six-race card which included co-features. In the first of them, Japanese jockey Yoshi Aoki got his first big race win of the year as he partnered last year’s Derby third Triple Sinhwa to a smart win. Although he picked up a ban in the process, Aoki will still look on it as a good day’s work. In the finale, favourite Nuri Choegang [Awesome Of Course – Jamie Love (Roy)] flashed past Kiwi’s Playboy in the final furlong to take a surprisingly comfortable victory.

The colder it is, the brighter it is - Seoul shivered in sub-zero temperatures today

Andy’s Runner Wins New Year Stakes / Magic Party, Sun Hero Lose / KJ Khan Finally Wins

Opening day of the 2011 season at Seoul Race Park saw four-year old Andy’s Runner take victory in the feature New Year’s Commemorative Stakes.

Andy's Runner with Park Tae Jong (up) and trainer Bae Dae Sun (left) in the New Year's Stakes winner's circle

Last year, after never finishing worse than fourth in his first eleven races, Andy’s Runner earned himself a shot at the Minister’s Cup, the final Classic of the season. It didn’t go to plan as he found himself outclassed by the year’s elite. No-one outclassed him today though. Sent off the 2/1 favourite, Park Tae Jong brought Andy’s Runner into contention as the fourteen-strong field rounded the home turn and the pair never looked in danger once they hit the front with just over a furlong to go.

Andy's Runner

Second, a length behind the winner, was Tamnaseontaek with 150/1 outsider Hey Day taking a surprise third. As for the winner, Andy’s Runner it was a fifth win from fourteen starts and for Park Tae Jong, winner of more races than any jockey in Korea, it was yet another big race triumph.

Things didn’t go quite to plan for Park a race later, however, as two of last year’s stand-out two-year olds faced each other for the first time. Park’s mount, the filly Magic Party had won the Gwacheon Citizen’s Cup while colt Sun Hero, had taken home the Breeders’ Cup. Today they both stepped up in distance to run around two turns of the Seoul Racecourse for the first time but were still sent off odds-on to fill the top two places. However, neither of them had any answer to The Almighty, a four-year old who was an also-ran on the Classic trail last year. Magic Party was a well beaten fourth while Sun Hero trailed home in sixth.

The Almighty and Kim Gui Bae win race 10 - Magic Party and Sun Hero trailed home unplaced

We’ll give the pair of them another chance or two before deciding that they’re not going to be able to make the transition to the longer distances required higher level racing, but it wasn’t a good start for either of them. For The Almighty, particularly veteran jockey Kim Gui Bae, it was a great start to 2011.

Finally: K J Khan

Finally, there was the big class 1 handicap to sort out. Torpedo Mast was sent off the slight favourite but the grey could only manage third place as K J Khan just got the better of Cheonji Jangsu in a battling finish.

Japanese bred K J Khan [Squirtle Squirt – Bulge (Assatis)] was winning at class 1 for the first time in sixteen attempts – his last win coming in his final outing at class 2 level in January 2009. Today, perseverance paid-off.

Herald Business New Year’s Stakes – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – January 8, 2011

1. Andy’s Runner (KOR) [The Groom Is Red – Cheonmachong (Lost Mountain)] – Park Tae Jong – 2.9, 1.4
2. Tamnaseontaek (KOR) [War Zone – Every Michelle (Every Intent)] – Choi Bum mHyun – 4.5
3. Hey Day (KOR) [Silent Warrior – Dignified Era (Exclusive Era)] – Shin Hyoung Chul – 31.8

Distances: 1 length/1.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Sagunyukjin 5. Anseong Chukje 6. Mr. Rocky 7. Cheongha Eutteum 8. Forest Wind 9. High Point 10. Kanui Byeol 11. Mighty Girl 12. Gayabobae 13. Dansimga 14. Best Holls

It took a lot of coffee to melt the snow still lingering around Seoul Race Park on opening day

Racing returns to Seoul tomorrow with eleven races from 11:20 to 18:00 while down at Busan there are six races from 12:40 to 16:30.

Tough Win & Dongbanui Gangja Upset As Busan’s Finest Captures The Grand Prix

They all put their reputations on the line and at the end of the 2010 Grand Prix Stakes, it was Mister Park who came out covered in glory while Tough Win, Dongbanui Gangja and Dangdae Bulpae all slumped to defeats of varying ignominy. Yet it was a performance full of valour, spirit and ultimately stamina from Mister Park, who capped a front-running performance by repelling the late charge of Larrycat at the end of the season’s longest and most prestigious race.

Mister Park and You Hyun Myung in the Grand Prix Winner's Circle. Trainer Kim Young Kwan is to the right

As it always does, the Grand Prix provided Korean racing’s most dramatic and absorbing few minutes of the year. From the raucous reception the horses and jockeys received in the paddock, to the triumphant celebration of the winning connections twenty minutes later, as ever it was unlike anything else in the calendar. As dusk fell on Seoul Race Park, we saw a race that won’t be quickly forgotten.

The unbeaten Tough Win was sent off as slight favourite over double Grand Prix champion Dongbanui Gangja with Dangdae Bulpae third in punters’ reckoning. And it was Dangdae Bulpae who was sent into an early lead by jockey Jo Chang Wook with Yoo Hyun Myung on Mister Park and Cho Kyoung Ho on Tough Win following close behind. A roar went up from the assembled 50,000 crowd as Choi Bum Hyun brought Dongbanui Gangja into contention in the back straight. As they turned for home, all the leading contenders were exactly where they wanted to be.

Mister Park finally shakes off Larrycat in the last few metres of the Grand Prix

Dongbnaui Gangja was the first to falter. He blew his chance in the Busan Metropolitan by going uncontrollably wide and although Choi Bum Hyun fought valiantly, the bad habit returned. The champion had given himself too much to do. Then it was the turn of Dangdae Bulpae. The Minister’s and President’s Cup winner tried to kick on as they entered the home straight but he had nothing left to give and the field swallowed him up. Mister Park and Larrycat were still travelling well with a furlong and a half to go.

Beaten: Tough Win returns a loser for the first time

Now it was make or break time for Tough Win; he needed to find an extra gear. He couldn’t. Mister Park hit the front with Larrycat and Yeonseung Daero, who had emerged from nowhere, in hot pursuit. In the final furlong Larrycat looked to have him collared but You Hyun Myung found one last reserve of energy in his mount to propel them over the line first. Larrycat was a brave second and Yeonseung Daero a superb third. Tough Win battled home for fourth while Seonnyang Yongsa and Jo Sung Gon flew through the field in the final furlong to claim the last of the money placings.

Mister Park, a three-year old gelding, was born in Korea, however, he was ineligible for this year’s Classics as he was sired overseas and his dam imported to Korea while pregnant. His sire, Ecton Park, has since also been brought to Korea and the success of a horse foaled and broken-in in the country is a victory for the domestic racing scene. Mister Park, while beaten on his racecourse debut, has since won eleven in a row. For jockey Yoo Hyun Myung, it was by far the biggest win of his career. For trainer Kim Young Kwan, a man used to success, this must rate as his greatest achievement coming as it does, at the end of a year which after events in March, must have been the most difficult for him both personally and professionally

Inquest: Choi Bum Hyun watches a replay to see how it all went wrong

As for Tough Win, 2300 metres was always going to be a tough ask. His unbeaten record is now gone, but he remains top horse at Seoul. His inevitable battles to come with Larrycat, now himself firmly established among the elite are something for us to look forward to in 2011.

Likewise, Dangdae Bulpae simply didn’t stay the distance. This is a colt who will be back next year. For Dongbanui Gangja though, things are less straightforward. He was beaten by seven lengths today, however he cost himself more than that by running wide on the final turn. This is the second time it’s happened this year as the five-year old – now a stallion – gets harder and harder to control.

A word too is necessary for Yeonseung Daero who again gave a courageous, battling performance. It would have been so easy for his connections to keep him home at Busan running against fellow Korean-bred horses and cherry-picking big purses. As always they showed themselves to be sportsmen, pitching their champion against the best there is and letting him prove himself. Yeonseung Daero almost always runs in open company and today he was just three lengths off being crowned the best of the best.

That title, however, goes to Mister Park. 16/1 in the betting he outran and outstayed the rest. Running nine times and winning nine times, he is the Champion Korean Racehorse of 2010.

Grand Prix Stakes (KOR.G.I) – Seoul Race Park – 2300M – December 12, 2010

1. Mister Park (KOR) [Ecton Park – Formal Deal (Formal Gold)] – You Hyun Myung – 16.8, 3.4
2. Larry Cat (USA) [Fantasticat – Tiger In My Tank (Tank)] – Park Tae Jong – 2.9
3. Yeonseung Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat – Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] – Choi Si Dae – 2.6

Distances: 0.5 lengths/2.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Tough Win 5. Seonnyang Yongsa 6. Purely Spontaneus 7. Dongbanui Gangja 8. Jumong 9. Gunham 10. Cheonjidolpung 11. Dangdae Bulpae 12. Glory Champ

Job Well Done: Mister Park and Groom share a moment in the Winner's Circle

Derby Winner Takes Owner’s Cup By Narrowest Of Margins

They attacked on his inside and they attacked on his outside but Cheonnyeon Daero would not let them pass. In a desperate last furlong, it was the Derby winner who held on to win the Owner’s Cup at Busan Race Park this afternoon.

Another Big Win: Cheonnyeon Daero

Namdo Jeap, one of three horses – along with Cheonnyeon Daero and Golden Appeal – who the punting public couldn’t separate, set the early pace under Jo Sung Gon. However, last year’s Minister’s Cup winner was closely tracked by his co-favourites through the back straight and around the hometurn in the ten-furlong race. He had nothing left for the straight and it was Cheonnyeon Daero and Park Geum Man who took things up with just over a furlong left to run.

The expected challenge of Golden Appeal came to nothing and it was left to Khaosan and Yoshi Aoki in the inside and then King Hunter and Toshio Uchida on the outside to put the Derby winner under double-pressure. Khaosan was seen off but King Hunter, 33/1 in the betting, kept coming and coming until finally, the line arrived just in time for Cheonnyeon Daero to take the narrowest of victories.

The victory was just the fifth of Cheonnyeon Daero’s career, however, with the Derby being one of the other four as well as a second place in the Minister’s Cup – not to mention never having finished out of the money – he is undoubtedly established as one of the top Korean bred horses on the peninsula. Victory today also vindicates his connections’ decision to skip next week’s Grand Prix at Seoul. In that race it will be left to Dangdae Bulpae and Yeonseung Daero to fly the flag for Korea against the best foreign talent in the country.

Owner’s Cup – Busan Race Park – 2000M – December 5, 2010

1. Cheonnyeon Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat – Doneitmyway (Northern Flagship)] – Park Geum Man – 3.7, 1.4
2. King Hunter (KOR) [Yehudi – Wildly Magic (Peterhof)] – Toshio Uchida – 8.2
3. Khaosan (KOR) [Sunday Well – Mogaung (Jade Hunter)] – Yoshiyuki Aoki – 1.9

Distances: Nose/1 length
Also Ran: 4. Isidae Gangja 5. Golden Appeal 6 Glory Yeonggwang 7. New World Record 8. Sky Star 9. Namdo Jeap 10. Lucky Dancer 11. Gangjaui Beopchik

Seoul today was very much eclipsed by the goings-on at Busan, however, there was one big handicap of note. It resulted in a first win for eighteen months for Australian bred gelding Captain Cugat (King Cugat). The six-year old hadn’t won in eleven previous attempts at class 1 racing, but scored a two-length victory over Torpedo Mast and Baekjeonmupae in the ten-furlong race under the lights. Former Horse of the Year Bally Brae could only manage ninth place and unless the handicapper sees sense and stops assigning him the kind of weight he’d expect to carry if he’d won the Grand Prix last week rather than three years ago, we may see him retired very soon.

Racing at Seoul finishing under lights again

Speaking of the Grand Prix, we are now just seven days away from the most prestigious race on the Korean calendar. It’s always special, this year it could be spectacular. Full preview coming soon.