International Jockey Challenge: Day 1 Review – Callow and Moon Winners

Noel Callow won the Macau Jockey Club Trophy while the Horse Racing Ireland race went to Moon Se Young

Noel Callow Dismounts from Victory Dancer

Noel Callow Dismounts from Victory Dancer (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Noel Callow on Victory Dancer edges out Fausto Pinto on Blue Camp to win the MJC Trophy

Noel Callow on Victory Dancer edges out Fausto Pinto on Blue Camp to win the MJC Trophy (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Macau Jockey Club Trophy – Seoul Race Park – 1400M

1. Victory Dancer (KOR) – Noel Callow
2. Blue Camp (KOR) – Fausto Durso
3. Geomtan (KOR) – Raymond Danielson
Distances: 0.5 lengths/2.5 lengths
Also ran: 4. Last Mudae – You Hyun Myung (KOR) 5. Sen Tank – Jo In Kwen (KOR) 6. Daebagyeonchul – Shinichiro Akiyama (JPN) 7. Black Swan – Park Tae Jong (KOR) 8. Hayan Nuri – Niall McCullagh (IRE) 9. Changcheon – Moon Se Young (KOR) 10. McKenzie Boy – Yucel Bilik (TUR) 11. Cheolli Gisang – Seo Seung Un (KOR) 12. S-Way – Jo Sung Gon (KOR)

Eutteum Khan (far side) and Moon Se Young, win the HRI Trophy (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Eutteum Khan (far side) and Moon Se Young, win the HRI Trophy (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing's Mark O'Hanlon presents Moon Se Young with the winner's...vase (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing’s Mark O’Hanlon presents Moon Se Young with the winner’s…vase (Pic: Ross Holburt)

Horse Racing Ireland Trophy – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – Aug 10. 2013

1. Eutteum Khan (KOR) – Moon Se Young
2. Yeoui Gold (KOR) – Jo In Kwen
3. Blue Band Zet (KOR) – Jo Sung Gon
Distances: Neck/4 lengths
Also ran: 4. Suho Cheonsa – Park Tae Jong (KOR) 5. Chongal Gongju – You Hyun Myung (KOR) 6. Dangchan Miso – Yucel Bilik (TUR) 7. Chiming Vicar – Raymond Danielson (SA) 8. Bukdaepung – Fausto Durso (BRZ) 9. Victory Camp – Shinichiro Akiyama (JPN) 10. Onnuri Plaza – Niall McCullagh (IRE) 11. January Queen – Seo Seung Un (KOR) 12. Geuma Queen – Noel Callow (AUS)

The challenge concludes on Sunday when there are 14 races at Seoul from 13:00 to 19:40. On show in other races will be Jiegum I Sungan and Fly Top Queen on a massive day of racing in the capital.

Noel Callow Wins Macau Jockey Club Trophy

Noel Callow has won the first leg of the International Jockey Challenge at Seoul Race Park (Pictures: Ross Holburt)

Noel Callow Dismounts from Victory Dancer

Noel Callow Dismounts from Victory Dancer

Macao Jockey Club Cup Presentation

Macao Jockey Club Cup Presentation

Noel Callow on Victory Dancer edges out Fausto Pinto on Blue Camp to win the MJC Trophy

Noel Callow on Victory Dancer edges out Fausto Pinto on Blue Camp to win the MJC Trophy

Macau Jockey Club Trophy – Seoul Race Park – 1400M

1. Victory Dancer (KOR) – Noel Callow
2. Blue Camp (KOR) – Fausto Durso
3. Geomtan (KOR) – Raymond Danielson
Distances: 0.5 lengths/2.5 lengths – 12 ran

Seoul International Jockey Challenge: Day 1 Preview

Macao Jockey Club Cup and Horse Racing Ireland Trophy Feature on Day 1

The 2013 Seoul International jockey challenge gets underway at Seoul Race Park on Saturday. Of the 9 races on the card, two are part of the challenge; the Macao Jockey Club Cup and the Horse Racing Ireland Trophy. Here is a run down of the fields for those races:

Macao Jockey Club Cup – Seoul Race Park (Race 6) – 1300M – Aug 10, 17:40

1. Victory Dancer (18/2/3/1) – Noel Callow
2. Hayan Nuri (14/2/3/0) – Niall McCullagh
3. Sen Tank (9/2/2/4) – Jo In Kwen
4. Blue Camp (8/3/2/1) – Fausto Pinto
5. Daebagyeonchul (13/3/0/1) – Shinichiro Akiyama
6. Black Swan (15/3/2/2) – Park Tae Jong
7. Changcheon (11/2/3/2) – Moon Se Young
8. Geomtan (9/3/2/1) – Raymond Danielson
9. S-Way (11/3/1/0) – Jo Sung Gon
10. Cheolli Gisang (19/1/5/3) Seo Seung Un
11. McKenzie Boy (11/3/1/2) – Yucel Bilik
12. Last Mudae (16/2/4/2) – You Hyun Myung

No stand-outs in this competetive opener although Geomtan comes into the race with the best recent form. Black Swan beat a number of his rivals here when winning last time out, while there should also be support for Blue Camp, S-Way and Derby also-ran Last Mudae.

Horse Racing Ireland Trophy – Seoul Race Park (Race 8) – 1400M – August 10, 19:10

1. Bukdaepung (13/4/2/0) – Fausto Durso
2. Geuma Queen (17/3/2/3) – Noel Callow
3. Chongal Gongju (15/2/4/0) – You Hyun Myung
4. Onnuri Plaza (15/4/0/4) – Niall McCullagh
5. Victory Camp (37/4/1/3) – Shinichiro Akiyama
6. January Queen (18/5/1/0) – Seo Seung Un
7. Eutteum Khan (16/4/2/1) – Moon Se Young
8. Chiming Vicar (14/4/2/1) – Raymond Danielson
9. Blue Band Zet (35/3/3/3) – Jo Sung Gon
10. Suho Cheonsa (31/2/4/4) – Park Tae Jong
11. Yeoui Gold (15/5/3/1) – Jo In Kwen
12. Dangchan Miso (23/5/2/1) – Yucel Bilik

A lot of horses here who have struggled to really make an impression since reaching class 2 and many will welcome dropping back in distance to 7 furlongs. Dangchan Miso holds a recent victory over many of those who run here but finished behind probable favourite Yeoui Gold last run. Eutteum Khan, Bukdaepung and January Queen will also have backers.

There are 9 races in total at Seoul on Saturday with the first at 13:00 and the last at 19:40. There is also racing on Jeju Island. On Sunday only Seoul runs with 14 races from 13:00 to 19:40.

Seoul International Jockey Challenge 2013: The Home Team

We’ve already taken a look at the jockeys who will be visiting Korea to make up the Rest Of The World team in this weekend’s Seoul International Jockey Challenge, now it’s time to examine the home team.

Moon Se Young

Moon Se Young

Moon Se Young: The reigning champion jockey at Seoul, Moon has won just about every big race going in his 12-year career to date including the Korean Derby and Grand Prix Stakes.

Second on the all-time Korean winners’ list with nearly 900 wins. Earlier this year, Moon spent a successful 3 months riding in Macao and despite giving his rivals such a head start, is already up to 3rd in the 2013 championship at home

Park Tae Jong

Park Tae Jong

Park Tae Jong: The only jockey to have ridden more winners than Moon Se Young, Park is also perhaps the only jockey to be known by the wider Korean public.

In his 26 years in the saddle, he’s ridden nearly 2,000 winners (from just 11,000 rides) and has won pretty much all there is to win in Korea. Korean Oaks aside, if he’s not won it, no-one has.

Jo In Kwen

Jo In Kwen

Jo In Kwen: One of the new generation of jockeys who benefitted from the KRA’s improved training during the last few years, Jo In Kwen debuted in 2008 and currently leads the 2013 standing with 62 winners.

Only three Stakes wins to date but very talented and is expected to go on to become one of the dominant jockeys of the next decade in Korea.

Seo Seung Un

Seo Seung Un

Seo Seung Un: He burst onto the scene in 2011 riding 2 winners on his debut weekend. He then went to the USA for further training, riding 2 winners in the process. He participated in the Asia Young Guns Challenge in Macao last year.

Seo rode out his apprentice claim in a Korean record time and, while yet to secure the really big rides, currently lies 2nd in the 2013 championship.

Jo Sung Gon

Dangdae Bulpae and Jo Sung Gon will look for a 2nd consecutive Busan Metropolitan

Jo Sung Gon: Busan’s champion jockey will travel to Seoul for the event and when he comes to the capital, Jo Sung Gon usually wins. That’s because he’s usually partnering Dangdae Bulpae, who’s won more Stakes races than any other Korean horse.

He won’t be on him this time but Jo is considered by some observers to be the most talented local jockey at either Seoul or Busan and is currently running away with the 2013 Busan championship.

Yoo Hyun Myung

Yoo Hyun Myung

Yoo Hyun Myung: Another Busan jockey completes the home team. Yoo Hyun Myung won the Grand Prix Stakes on Mister Park at Seoul in 2010 and has been consistently among Busan’s top riders for the last few years. He comes into the event in good form.

All jockeys will compete in four races over the weekend, culminating in the YTN Cup on Sunday evening. Rides will be allocated by a draw which will take place at Declarations on Thursday afternoon at Seoul Racecourse.

Noel Callow Among 6 Riders Headed For Seoul International Jockey Challenge

While Seoul is dark this weekend, next week sees the first of two big events with an international flavour at the capital track.

On September 1, the SBS Goodwill Cup will involve 3 horses visiting from Japan – the first time foreign trained horses will have run in Korea. First up though on August 10 and 11 is the annual Seoul International Jockey Challenge when 6 visitors will take on 6 locals in the Jockey Challenge over 4 races culminating in the YTN Cup.

A strong line-up has been secured this year. Here is a run-down of the international team:

Niall McCullagh

Niall McCullagh

Niall McCullagh (Ireland) – Returning to Seoul after taking part in the 2010 event, the 44-year-old has been a consistent performer in his native Ireland for over 20 years.

Since his last trip to the Korean capital, he has secured the biggest prize of his career, guiding Royal Diamond to victory in the 2012 Irish St.Leger. Watch the race here.

Noel Callow

Noel Callow

Noel Callow (Australia – representing Malaysia) – A prolific winner whose big race victories include the 2005 Victoria Derby and the 2008 Singapore Derby, the globe-trotting Aussie Noel “King” Callow will be in Seoul to represent the Selangor Turf Club.

While successful at home, primarily on the Victorian circuit, it is in Asia where Callow is best known with a number of stints in Singapore – where he was leading Jockey in 2007 – and Malaysia. He has also ridden in Mauritius where he became something of a folk-hero among local racing fans.Here he is winning the 2008 Emirates Singapore Derby on Top Spin.

Fausto Durso

Fausto Durso

Fausto Pinto Durso (Brazil – representing Macau) – The Sao Paolo native, with nearly 700 wins in his homeland has been a long-term fixture in Macau where he has racked up over 600 winners.

His biggest triumphs came in 2010 when, among other Group 1’s, he won the Macau Derby.

He has also ridden in Dubai and Malaysia as well as the occasional weekend in Hong Kong. Here he wins the 2010 Macau Hong Kong Trophy on Viva Hong Kong.

Raymond Danielson

Raymond Danielson

Raymond Danielson (South Africa) – Qualifying in the same class as Richard Fourie and Muzi Yeni – both alumni of this event – Raymond Danielson has ridden nearly 500 winners in South Africa.

Danielson rode the winner of the Group 1 Champions Cup at Greyville in 3 consecutive years from 2009-2011.

Here he is winning the 2011 edition on The Apache.

Yucel Bilik

Yucel Bilik

Yucel Bilik (Turkey) – Turkey always sends one of its top jockeys to this event and this year is no exception.

Only last month, 29-year old Yucel Bilik landed the biggest win of his career, guiding Divine Light to victory in Turkey’s richest and most prestigious race, the G1 Gazi Derby. Watch the race here.

Shinichiro Akiyama

Shinichiro Akiyama

Shinichiro Akiyama (Japan) – This year, the JRA sends a 16-year veteran with nearly 800 winners to his name.

Lightweight jockey Shinichiro Akiyama has a number of big wins under his belt but is best known in his homeland for victories in the NHK Mile Cup and the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. Here he is winning the 2012 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies on Robe Tissage

We’ll have more on the build-up to the event – including a look at the home team – over the next few days.

All jockeys will compete in 4 races; 2 on the Saturday and 2 on the Sunday. Mounts will be drawn on Thursday.

The same weekend will also see exchange races sponsored by racing authorities from Turkey, Singapore, Malaysia, Ireland and Macau.

Weekend Racing Times: Busan & Jeju Only – No Racing at Seoul

Seoul takes its summer vacation this weekend so Busan runs a short card on Saturday alongside a full one on Jeju Island. On Sunday, Busan has things all its own way with a bumper 12-race program. Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Saturday August 3

Busan Race Park: 5 races from 16:10 to 19:40
Jeju Race Park: 8 races from 13:00 to 17:40

Sunday August 4

Busan Race Park: 12 races from 13:00 to 19:40

Tough Win Takes Busan Metropolitan

Tough Win asserted his authority over Korean racing with hard-fought but eventually emphatic win in the Busan Metropolitan City Mayor’s Stakes this afternoon.

Tough Win and Cho Kyoung Ho take the Busan Metropolitan (Pic: KRA)

Tough Win and Cho Kyoung Ho take the Busan Metropolitan (Pic: KRA)

The 2010 winner started 2/1 favourite and was always well positioned before getting the better of young up and comer Beolmaui Kkum and defending champion Dangdae Bulpae in the home straight. Only the absent Jiguem I Sungan currently has any claims on him at Seoul and he dispatched Busan’s finest with ease today.

Running 2nd, Beolmaui Kkum showed that he has talent and can stay a reasonable distance too. He will be one to watch for the rest of the season. As for Dangdae Bulpae, there were many doubts as to the fitness of the defending champion, who came into the race off a 6-month lay-off. While he couldn’t beat Tough Win, a 3rd place finish is extremely creditable and suggests we haven’t seen the last of the 3-time President’s Cup winner.

A disappointment was Gamdounguibada. The filly was the one who relived Tough Win of his Grand Prix Stakes title at Seoul last December and she was well-backed to repeat the feat here. Instead of challenging Tough Win, however, she finished 11th which makes for 2 poor runs in a row.

Now 6 years old, Tough Win recorded his 22nd career victory and is unbeaten in all 4 starts this year. The Busan Metropolitan is often referred to as the “Summer Grand Prix”. After today, by the time the real “Grand Prix” comes around in December, Tough Win will most likely be favourite to regain that title as well.

Busan Metropolitan City Mayor’s Stakes – Busan Race Park – 2000M – Sunday July 28, 2013

1. Tough Win (USA) [Yonaguska – Maggie May’s Sword (Sword Dance)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 3.0, 1.3
2. Beolmaui Kkum (USA) [Put It Back – Wild Dixie Gal (Wild Event)] – Choi Si Dae – 1.8
3. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] – Jo Sung Gon – 3.7

Distances: 2.5 lengths/4 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Lion Santa (USA) 5. Viva Ace (USA) 6. Eongmandori (USA) 7. Ghost Whisper (KOR) 8. Prince Kingdom (USA) 9. Murangae (USA) 10. Choengchun Bulpae (KOR) 11. Gamdonguibada (USA) 12. Hwanggeumjijon (USA) 13. Wild Myeongun (USA) 14. Call Me Tiger (NZ) DQ: Blueband Mama (USA) DQ: Wonderful Namhae (KOR

Saturday/Sunday Race Times

With no racing on Jeju Island this weekend, race times are altered a little at Seoul and Busan:

Saturday July 27

Seoul Race Park: 14 races from 13:00 to 19:40

Sunday July 28

Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 19:40
Busan Race Park: 5 races from 13:50 to 17:40

Busan Metropolitan Stakes: Full Preview

A full-field of 16, including 2 previous winners, will line up for the Busan Metropolitan City Mayor’s Stakes at Busan this Sunday.

Dangdae Bulpae and Jo Sung Gon will look for a 2nd consecutive Busan Metropolitan

Dangdae Bulpae and Jo Sung Gon will look for a 2nd consecutive Busan Metropolitan

The race is sometimes known as the “summer Grand Prix” bringing as it does, the best horses from both Seoul and Busan together in a way that only the season-ending Grand Prix Stakes usually does.

This year, though, Seoul disappoints. Granted, they may well have the winner in the shape of 2010 victor Tough Win but apart from him, all the leading contenders are from the host track. Last year’s champion Dangdae Bulpae returns after a 5 month lay-off while Grand Prix winner Gamdonguibada also takes her chance.

Australian trainer Peter Wolsley, closing in on 200 Korean wins saddles, 2 runners while Darryll Holland, Joe Fujii, Masakazu Tanaka and Yukio Abe al have rides. Here is a full run-down of the runners and riders (Name [Pedigree] Age, Sex, (Runs/1/2/3) – Jockey (Home track):

Busan Metropolitan City Mayor’s Stakes (KOR GIII) – Busan Race Park – 2000M – Sunday July 28 – 16:40

1. Call Me Tiger (NZ) [One Cool Cat – Hairini (Zabeel)] 6 H (27/4/2/2) – Lee Dong Kug (Seoul)
Hasn’t really made the grade at Class 1 and is without a win in 2 years. Won’t change here.

2. Viva Ace (USA) [Macho Uno – Dancing Lake (Meadowlake)] 5 G (25/11/7/2) – Song Keong Yun (Busan)
Very solid horse who was 2nd to Beolmaui Kkum and ahead of Gamdonguibada in the Gukje Sinmun Cup last start. Knows where the winning line is and could cause problems. Worth looking at if he seems neglected in the betting market.

3. Wild Myeongun (USA) [D’Wildcat – Start Applauding (Jump Start)] 4 C (15/7/4/2) – Lim Sung Sil (Busan)
Big taent who has only been out of the money once. A rather disappointing 4th last time out behind weaker rivals than he’ll face here and is without a win in three. Will have backers though.

4. Lion Santa (USA) [Lion Heart – Santa Fe Strip (Phone Trick)] 5 H (19/11/1/2) – Jo Chang Wook (Busan)
Was injured for 6 months after this race last year. He won his return and has hit the money on his 4 subsequent starts. It is hard to recommend him at 2000 metres though.

5. Prince Kingdom (USA) [Roar Of The Tiger – Special Wife (Husband)] 5 G (22/9/4/1) – You Hyun Myung (Busan)
Was in cracking form at the tail-end of 2012 but has struggled to repeat this year. A place is not beyond him but a win seems unlikely.

6. Tough Win (USA) [Yonaguska – Maggie May’s Sword] 6 G (28/21/2/1) – Cho Kyoung Ho (Seoul)
The Boss. He won this race as a 3-year old in 2010 but disappointed in 2011 and 2012. Lost his Grand Prix title last December but has three easy wins behind him this year. He will top many people’s tickets.

7. Murangae (USA) [Sun River – Merrill Gold (Gold Fever)] 4 G (24/1/6/4) – Yukio Abe (Seoul)
You’d think 26 year veteran trainer Ji Yong Cheol would have better things to do on a Sunday afternoon than take Murangae to Busan. His only win was only three starts ago but while he seems a late-developer who runs very consistently, he gets consistently beaten and that won’t change here.

8. Cheongchun Bulpae (KOR) [Milwaukee Brew – Placid Star (Placid Fund)] 4 G (14/8/1/1) – Chae Gyu Jun (Busan)
One of 2 entries in the race by Aussie trainer Peter Wolsley. He has 2 wins from 3 starts to his name at class 1 (including one behind stablemate Ghost Whisper). He is second-string here but Wolsley doesn’t enter his horses where they can’t challenge for money.

9. Blueband Mama (USA) [Purge – Meadowbryte (Meadowlake)] 5 M (27/3/4/2) – Park Si Cheon (Seoul)
Foinavon in the Grand National, Mine That Bird in the Kentucky Derby. Those 2 would be nothing compared with Blueband Mama winning this race.

10 Wonderful Namhae (KOR) [Vicar – Make That Call (Glow)] 4 C (19/9/2/2) – Tanaka Masakazu (Busan)
A well-beaten 2nd behind Ghost Whisper last time but has plenty of talent. Probably 3 or 4 will be too quick for him here.

11. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] 6 H (29/19/2/2) – Jo Sung Gon (Busan)
A 3-time President’s Cup winner, holder of the record for most Stakes races won in Korea, arguably the best horse Korea has ever produced and the defending champion. The problem is that he hasn’t run since February due to injury and was touch and go to make it to the start line here. Comfortably won his race trial earlier this month. If he is in form though, at 2000 metres, he is very difficult to beat.

12. Gamdonguibada (USA) [Werblin – Radyla (Country Pine)] 4 F (13/8/2/3) – Kanichiro Fujii (Busan)
Champion racehorse of 2012 by virtue of winning the Grand Prix Stakes at Seoul last December, she started this year a pair of routine victories before turning in an out of sorts 3rd behind Beolmaui Kkum last time out. You can’t be out of sorts in this kind of company and if she runs to her best, she has every chance.

13. Hwanggeumjijon (USA) [Medallist – Milady Sadie (Meadow Monster)] 4 G (12/2/1/3) – Kim Gui Bae (Seoul)
Forget Foinavon and Mine That Bird, we’re into Buster Douglas over Mike Tyson territory if Hwanggeumjijon wins this. His jockey, Kim Gui Bae, has been riding for 34 years. In that time he has ridden just 299 winners. This will not be number 300.

14. Eongmandori (USA) [Purim – Allbow (Rainbow Blues)] 4 C (18/4/4/2) – Kim Dong Young (Busan)
2nd behind Wild Myeongun on his class 1 debut last time out after 2 smart wins at class 2. Is an improving type but looks a little outclassed here.

15. Beolmaui Kkum (USA) [Put It Back – Wild Dixie Gal (Wild Event)] 3 C – Choi Si Dae (Busan)
The wildcard. Full brother to Seoul-based Stakes winning filly Kkakjaengi, he beat three of his rivals here to win the Gukje Sinmun Cup last start with Gamdonguibada among those defeated. That was his frist try at class 1 and, while he’s never gone 2000 metres, there’s no reason to think he won’t get it. A potential star.

16. Ghost Whisper (KOR) [Gotham City – Emmy’s Lullaby] 5 G – Darryll Holland (Busan)
Collapsed with heat exhaustion after this race last year and was given the rest of the year off. In wonderful form at the moment though winning his last 3 outings. Must be given respect and if things go his way, under Darryll Holland, he has the ability to pull off what would be the biggest win of trainer Peter Wolsley’s career.

Worth The Wait? Fly Top Queen Wins Again

Fly Top Queen, the most expensive racehorse ever imported into Korea, made her second racecourse appearance and coasted to her second easy win at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Fly Top Queen coasts to victory at Seoul

Fly Top Queen coasts to victory at Seoul

The 3-year old filly was sent of the long odds-on favourite for the class 4 race over 6 furlongs and jockey Park Tae Jong never moved as he guided Fly Top Queen to a 6-length triumph.

Fly Top Queen [Henny Hughes – Cape Discovery (Cape Town)] was imported to Korea last year after being bought for $225,000 at Ocala. Suffering setback after setback she finally made it to the racecourse a month ago. So far, she’s been worth the wait.