Four Way Battle For Leading Sire Going To Wire

Exploit, Vicar, Menifee, Creek Cat Excel in 2011

The protagonists themselves may not know it themselves but with four weekends of racing left this year, there is a terrific four-way tussle in pogress for the title of 2011’s Leading Sire.

Dongseo Jeongbeol - Vicar's Chief Earner

Just 90 Million Korean Won (about $85,000) separates current leader Exploit from last year’s winner Creek Cat who currently sits in fourth.

Sandwiched in between these established Korean producers are the new Studs on the block, Vicar and Menifee. The latter pair only have two crops of foals (plus a handful of earlier imports) representing them while their older rivals have plenty more but it’s still anybody’s race.

Cheonnyeon Daero - keeping Creek Cat in contention

The next big prize is the Group 3 Breeders’ Cup at Seoul Race Park this coming Sunday worth $150,000 to the winner. The race will decide Korea’s champion two-year old of the year and Menifee will be represented by highly rated filly Nuriui Bit, who is coming up from Busan, as well as possibly Seoul colt Jeongsang Yechan. Vicar too has a filly in contention in the shape of Black Dia.

Neither Exploit nor Creek Cat look likely to be getting the Breeders’ Cup winner while none of the four are likely to see success in the $400,000 Grand Prix Stakes a fortnight later. However, with even the least valuable race in Korea worth a minimum of $12,000 to the winner giving an edge to Exploit, this battle could go right down to the last day of the season on December 17.

2011 Leading General Sires as of November 23

1. Exploit (USA) – 3,029,361,000 KRW
2. Vicar (USA) – 3,002,931,000 KRW
3. Menifee (USA) – 2,991,321,000 KRW
4. Creek Cat (USA) – 2,939,103,000

With Forest Camp an impressive leader of the First Crop sire race and with Ecton Park set to come on stream next year and Officer a year later, the next few years look very exciting indeed.

Sharp Humor Set To Stand In Korea

The Korea Racing Auhority (KRA) has been shopping for stallions again and this time has returned from the USA with young sire Sharp Humor in tow. The eight-year old had been standing for WinStar Farm in Kentucky.

As a racehorse, Sharp Humor [Distorted Humor-Bellona (Hansel)] ran ten times picking up four wins, three of them in Stakes races. He ran second to Barbaro in the 2006 Florida Derby but fractured a knee in the Kentucky Derby a month later. He only ran once more and was retired at the end of his three-year old season.

In his short Stud career to date, Sharp Humor has sired sixty-eight winners, including five at Stakes level, and already has a colt and a filly currently running in Korea. The colt, Baekhomujeok [Sharp Humor-Lip Gloss (Lit De Justice)] won the JRA Trophy at Seoul Race Park in May this year and currently has four wins from a total of twelve starts

The KRA has been increasing its stallion numbers recently as it seeks to boost its domestic breeding industry as well as prepare for the opening of the nation’s third thoroughbred racecourse at Yeongcheon in 2014. Recent purchases have included Delago Brom from Australia and Officer and Whywhywhy from the US.

On arrival in Korea, Sharp Humor will initially stand alongside Menifee and Vicar at the KRA’s Jeju Stud Farm

Cheonun Cruises To Filly Crown

Cheonun became the capital’s Champion Korean bred filly or mare as she swept to a comfortable win in the NACF Chairman’s Cup at Seoul Race Park on Sunday.

The hot favourite in a field of thirteen, Cheonun came through in the final furlong to lead home outsider Golden Rose by two lengths.

The four-year old Cheonun was a Stakes winner at three, taking victory in the Sports Seoul Cup, before heading down to Busan for the Korean Oaks where she finished second to shock winner Euro Fighter (who was a distant last here).

This year, she was fourth in the Owners’ Trophy – Seoul’s top Stakes race for fillies and mares that isn’t restricted to Korean bred runners – before taking a very creditable second to High Point in the SBS Cup under the lights in August.

2011 Chairman of NACF Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – November 20, 2011

1. Cheonun (Ft. Stockton-Restless Patricia (Born Restless)] – Choi Bum Hyun – 1.6, 1.1
2. Golden Rose [Buster’s Daydream-Pop’s Apple (Digangi’s Grinder)] – Oh Kyoung Hoan – 6.1
3. Special Volpony [Volponi-Marc’s Girl (River Special)] – Jo In Kwen – 1.6

Distances: 2/5 lengths/1.5 lengths – 13 ran

* Down at Busan, 2008 Korean Derby winner Ebony Storm [Buster’s Daydream-Sorority Jazz (Dixieland Band)] scored an upset win in the feature race, surprising favourite Triple Sinhwa. Minister’s Cup winner Dongseo Jeongbeol failed to bounce back from his President’s Cup disappointment finishing in a disappointing fifth.

Aussie jockey Nathan Stanley was victorious in race 1 on Peter Wolsley’s Heukdancer (Vicar) and in race 2 on two-year old Grand Teukgeup (Menifee) to give him three wins for the weekend while Akane Yamamoto was also amongst the winners, scoring in race 5 on debut making US filly Gamdonguibada (Werblin). Stanley now has 15 winners from 65 rides (with a 40% quinella strike-rate) while Akane is on 20 from 133.

Weekend Preview

Nonghyup Chairman’s Trophy

For the second consecutive week, it’s the fillies who take centre stage in the main event of a busy weekend of racing in Korea. Thirteen fillies & mares will line up for the Nonghyup Chairman’s Trophy at Seoul Race Park on Sunday afternoon.

Dongbang Rose and Cho Kyoung Ho return as Nonghyup Cup Winners last year

The race will see last year’s winner Dongbang Rose facing off against last year’s Oaks winner Euro Fighter and runner-up Cheonun. They’ll be joined by former top-star Love Cat and regular money-winner Special Volpony and Munhwa Ilbo champion Legal Lady.

That only one three-year old, Mustang Queen, takes her chance, helps support the general consensus that 2011 has been a weak year. She’ll have it all to do against her older opponents but was a creditable second in the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup last month.

Down at Busan, a pair of class 1 feature races on Sunday afternoon are the highlight. Minister’s Cup winner Dongseo Jeongbeol makes a swift return frm his President’s Cup disappointment a fortnight ago to headline one of them, a 10 furlong test that also includes 2008 Korean Derby winner, the evergreen Ebony Storm.

Jockeys Nathan Stanley and Eiki Nishimura return from suspension at Busan this weekend with nine and eight rides respectively. Akane Yamaoto will also ride eight. Makoto Noda and Mai Beppu will both be in action at Seoul

Friday and Saturday are set to see this week’s mild spell continue, however, overnight on Saturday, temepratures are set to plummet and it could be a very chilly Sunday. Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday November 18

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 17:30

Saturday November 19

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:30
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:30 to 17:35

Sunday November 20

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:05
Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:05

Seoul Takes Top Points In Governor’s Cup

Top Point Wins the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup

Top Point regained her crown as Korea’s top racemare by winning the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup at Busan Race Park this afternoon. The seven-year old led home Seoul-based fillies Geumbi and Kkakjaengi to secure a clean-sweep of the placings by visitors from the capital.

Top Point in the Winner's Circle again

Sent off the 6/4 favourite, the former KRA Cup Classic winner was settled into the middle of the pack by jockey Jo In Kwen as Bulkkot Gisang and Gippeumnuri made the early pace. As they turned for home, however, the three favourites came to the front. First it was Kkakjaengi and she and Top Point locked up to duel two furlongs from home. It wasn’t until 100 metres from the line that Top Point saw her off and Kakakjaengi faded to third as Geumbi finished quickly on the outside.

Ultimately Top Point wasn’t extended. She moves onto a record of eighteen wins from thirty-two starts. Had she not missed most of last year due to injury, that record would surely be even better. Her only time out of the money was in the 2009 Grand Prix. Sooner or later, she will be retired but today proved that she still has plenty to offer.

Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (KOR.G3) – Busan Race Park – 2000M – November 13, 2011

1. Top Point (KOR) [Tom Cruiser-Mooncello (Northern Baby)] – Jo In Kwen – 2.5, 1.3
2. Geumbi (USA) [Ecton Park-Lady Justine (Lit De Justice)] – Ham Wan Sik – 1.8
3. Kkakjaengi (USA) [Put It Back-Wild Dixie Gal (Wild Event)] – Lee Sang Hyeok – 1.5

Distances: 2 lengths/0.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Queen Of Rain (USA) 5. Money Tree (KOR) 6. Fortunata (USA) 7. Gippeumnuri (USA) 8. Blueband Mama (USA) 9. Dongbangmiin (KOR) 10. Wonder Unicorn (KOR) 11. Crown Flag (KOR) 12. Bulkkot Gisang (KOR) 13. Onsaemiro (KOR) 14. Tango Step (KOR)

Up at Seoul, the feature race was the Sports World Trophy and unlike in Busan, there was a surprise. 26/1 Ppoppai [Rockport Harbor-Fair And Lively (Lively One)] got the better of a tight finish over Captain Cugat (King Cugat) and Ecton Cat (Ecton Park). While it was a sixth win in twelve starts for the US bred three-year old, it also capped off a remarkable weekend for apprentice jockey Lee Gang Seo.

Lee, recently returned from a month of training in Australia, rode two winners yesterday and had already added another before picking up the ride on Ppoppai from the indisposed Yoon Tae Hyoug. Evidently the time abroad has done him some good.

Next week the Stakes action returns to Seoul in the shape of the Nonghyup Chairman’s Cup

Twenty Years After Establishing Breeding Program, Korea Begins Exporting Racehorses

It’s been a long time coming but last week, the Korea Racing Authority (KRA) announced the export of two racehorses to Malaysia. The colts, by Vicar and Exploit (with another to follow by Commendable) are the first Korean bred horses to be sold overseas for racing.

The export marks an important milestone for the Korean breeding industry which began in earnest in 1991. Before that, the vast majority of racehorses were imported from the Southern hemisphere or bred locally from a small number of mainly Japanese sires. Now, in addition to those mentioned above, Korea is also home to the likes of Menifee, Forest Camp, Pico Central and Officer while boasting state of the art Stud Farms both in Jeolla Province and on Jeju Island and many more private farms around the country.

With prize-money so high in Korea and with strict limits on the amounts Korean buyers can pay to import a racehorse bought at an overseas sale – $20,000 for colts and $40,000 for fillies – there is not a lot of incentive to sell a promising horse overseas, regardless of whether there is a market for it or not. However, the KRA have always made clear (at least in words if not actions) that their aim is to internationalize the Korean racing industry.

Moreover, if they can create a viable export industry, it is hoped that racing’s image will improve at home. The Korean casinos are (with one exception) only open to foreigners and regularly boast about how much money they generate from overseas. Korean racing is gambled on exclusively by Koreans and therefore is seen as a social problem in many quarters – not by the government, who greatly enjoy the revenues and not by the many social and agricultural initiatives that racing funds – but it still has a bad image.

There is nothing guaranteed to boost the industry in the eyes of Korean public opinion more than having a Korean product that foreigners want to buy.

The target is for fifty horses to be exported annually by 2020. This includes not only racehorses but also potential stallions and broodmares in foal. Initially the target markets are to be the Philippines and Macau, however, long-term no secret is made of the fact that the target is China.

No doubt it will have plenty of competition, but if and when – and in whichever form – betting on racing is legalized there, given its geographical proximity, the KRA plans to become a major supplier of reasonably priced thoroughbreds. It also stands ready to sell its highly developed racing IT infrastructure and other services.

Whether any of this will happen is open to question, although the wining and dining of potential foreign buyers is already taking place. The KRA often talks big on Internationalization but finds itself unable to follow through. Many stakeholders do extremely well out of Korean racing being essentially a closed-shop, both in and out. Nevertheless, this is a milestone of which those involved in bringing it about, will no doubt be proud.

Weekend Preview: Seoul Vs Busan Again

Filles Get Their Chance in The Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup

Last weekend, Busan horses came up to the Capital last and soundly defeated their Metropolitan counterparts in the President’s Cup. However, this week, seven fillies and mares have headed down the Gyeongbu Expressway and will attempt to exact revenge in the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup. The race, which will be run oover 10 furlongs is, after the Korean Oaks, Korea’s second richest race that is only open to Fillies & Mares.

Kkakjaengi - Tough To Beat

And the visitors have an excellent chance of returning with the big prize. Three year-old Kkakjaengi is already a multiple Stakes winner and if she takes well to the Busan track, could be the one to beat. Also from Seoul, the grand old Top Point, one-time Champion Mare, seems back to her best after returning from a long injury. Recently the only horses to beat her are Ace Galloper, Magic Party and Race Terror – who came a surprising, but impressive, third in the President’s Cup. If that form holds up, Top Point will be hard to beat. Similarly, Geumbi has always been close and will relish the chance to run without colts in the way.

For the home team, Bulkkot Gisang was a mightily impressive two-year old but has struggled this year. Some encouraging runs of late suggest she may one day have a big race in her while Wonder Unicorn is, rather surprisingly, the only runner coming into the race on the back of a win.

Busan Bound - Seo Seung Woon

As usual, the Seoul horses will all be accompanied by jockeys from the capital. However, the big names are staying put and some of Seoul’s lesser known riders and up and comers get their chance to shine on the south-coast. Among them is apprentice Seo Seung Un, who has been so impressive in his short career to date.

While the main event may be at Busan, Seoul and Jeju will of course host their regular weekend cards and both tracks will simulcast the Governor’s Cup.

* Here’s a full run-down of the runners and riders (with pedigrees, age and race records) for Sunday’s big race.

Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (KOR.G3) – Busan Race Park – 2000M – Sunday November 13, 2011 – 16:16

1. Money Tree (KOR) [Medallist-Money Trust (Hennessy)] 4 (27/6/5/5) – Akane Yamamoto
2. Geumbi (USA) [Ecton Park-Lady Justine (Lit De Justice)] 4 (12/4/4/2) – Ham Wan Sik (Seoul)
3. Tango Step (KOR) [Jump Start-Jewell Dare (Woodman)] 4 (16/6/1/2) – Shim Seung Tae (Seoul)
4. Bulkkot Gisang (KOR) [Langfuhr-Attendance (A.P.Indy) 3 (13/7/1/2) – Jo Chang Wook
5. Fortunata (USA) [Eurosilver-Eleanor’s Song (Seattle Song)] 4 (20/2/1/4) – Choi Won Joon (Seoul)
6. Gippeumnuri (USA) [Eurosilver-Regatta Queen (Danzig Connection)] 4 (20/4/2/1) – Seo Seung Un (Seoul)
7. Blueband Mama (USA) [Purge-Meadowbryte (Meadowlake)] 3 (13/2/4/1) – Lee Keum Joo (Seoul)
8. Top Point (KOR) [Tom Cruiser-Mooncello (Northern Baby)] 7 (31/17/6/4) – Jo In Kwen (Seoul)
9. Onsaemiro (KOR) [Harlan’s Holiday-Regal Heir (Regal Intention)] 3 (12/4/5/0) – Kim Dong Young
10. Queen Of Rain (USA) [Lion Heart-Prosperous Move (Arch)] 3 (12/4/2/3) – Chae Gyu Jun
11. Kkakjaengi (USA) [Put It Back-Wild Dixie Gal (Wild Event)] 3 (10/6/2/1) – Lee Sang Hyeok (Seoul)
12. Dongbangmiin (KOR) [Yehudi-Pyeonghwaroun (Kingsview)] 4 (18/5/2/3) – You Hyun Myung
13. Crown Flag (KOR) [Volponi-Crown Of Creation (Beau Genius)] 4 (28/2/4/7) – Choi Si Dae
14. Wonder Unicorn (KOR) [Graeme Hall-Bessette (Quest For Fame)] 5 (27/8/6/4) – Park Geum Man

And here’s what’s happening when and where this weekend:

Friday November 11

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 17:30

Saturday November 12

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

Sunday November 13

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:10
Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:10 including the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup at 16:15

Dangdae Bulpae Wins His Second President’s Cup

Dangdae Bulpae won his second consecutive President’s Cup at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

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

There wasn’t the confidence in him that one might expect. Choeonyeon Daero was sent off as favourite but it was Dangdae Bulpae who was sent off into an early lead. For a moment punters were wondering if it would be the same suicidal early lead that Dangdae Bulpae shared with Tough Win in the Busan Metropolitan. But any worries they may have had faded quickly once the field entered the home straight.

Jo Sung Gon prompted Dangdae Bulpae into action and the pair streaked away from the field recording a six length win at the wire ahead of Cheonnyeon Daero. Race Terror was a further two lengths back in third while Nathan Stanley partnered old-stager Khaosan to the race of his life in fourth.

President’s Cup (KOR.G1) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – November 6, 2011

1. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki-Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] – Jo Sung Gon – 4.2, 2.1
2. Cheonnyeon Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat-Doneitmyway (Nothern Flagship)] – Park Geum Man – 1.4
3. Race Terror (KOR) [Duality-Starship Adventure (Dare And Go)] – Choi Bum Hyun – 3.8

Distances: 6 lengths/1.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Khaosan 5. Real Victor 6. High Point 7. Useung Touch 8. Yeonseung Daero 9. Money Teukgeup 10. Cheot Insang 11. Dongseo Jeongbeol 12. Suseung TX 13. Love Cat

After two disappointing appearances, Dangdae Bulpae moves onto thirteen wins from twenty starts. He had questions to answer today. He doesn’t anymore.

Turkey Shoot For Smarty Moonhak

Two-year Old Could Be a Star In The Making As He Breezes to Turkey Jockey Club Trophy

Well that was impressive. Two-year old Smarty Moonhak (Smarty Jones) brushed aside thirteen older rivals to win the Turkey Jockey Club Trophy at an unseasonably warm Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Smarty Moonhak and Shim Seung Tae in the Winner's Circle - this may not their last visit

It’s very rare in Korea for a two-year old to race nine furlongs and even rarer for them to compete in a Trophy race against older horses. However, such was Smarty Moonhak’s reputation coming in – and a less than intimidating line-up of rivals – that punters made him the long odds-on favourite.

He didn’t disappoint. Drawn in gate 11, jockey Shim Seung Tae sent Smarty Moonhak fast out of the gate to take up a position just behind early leader Yaho Cat. They stayed in this order until entering the home straight when Shim asked his colt to shift up a gear. This he did and the pair cruised away from the field to win, easing down, by eleven lengths.

Smarty Moonhak now has four wins from five starts. His only loss came in his very first outing when he was second behind another highly rated import, Mister Captain. Since then, he’s breezed through all his races. Next year could be a big one for him.

Smarty Moonhak Speeds to Victory in the TJK Trophy

Turkey Jockey Club Trophy – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – November 5, 2011

1. Smarty Moonhak (USA) [SMarty Jones-Madeira M’Dear (Black Tie Affair)] – Shim Seung Tae – 1.2, 1.0
2. Yaho Cat (USA) [Concerto-Irma (Wild Again)] – Shin Hyoung Chul – 2.0
3. Royal Khalife (USA) [Cozzene-Glissand (Forestry)] – Lee Joon Chel – 4.0

Distances: 11 lengths/1.75 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Pildu (USA) 5. Haeranjanggun (KOR) 6. Gwanakteukgeup (USA) 7. Sun Viking (NZ) 8. V Train (USA) 9. Sky Center (USA) 10. Home For Dinner (CAN) 11. American Revival (USA) 12. Jisang Mujeok (KOR) 13. Jindubong (USA) 14. Manchester Miss (USA)

Action returns to Seoul tomorrow in the shape of the President’s Cup, the most valuable prize on the Korean racing calendar. Dangdae Bulpae is set to be slight favourite to retain the crown he won last year but there will be plenty of support for his fellow raiders from Busan; Cheonnyeon Daero, Yeonseung Daero, Useung Touch and Dongseo Jeongbeol – Classic winners all. It should be a great race.

Sunday November 6

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:10 including the President’s Cup at 16:35
Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:05

Weekend Preview: The President’s Cup

It may be Breeders’ Cup weekend in the US but it’s President’s Cup weekend in Seoul! The most valuable race of the year brings together for the first time some of this year’s best three-year olds from both Seoul and Busan to face their elders in a Stakes race for the first time. Dangdae Bulpae, Cheonnyeon Daero, Yeonseung Daero, Dongseo Jeongbeol and Useung Touch will all be there. Full preview here.

Up for the Cup(s)

Saturday also sees Stakes action at Seoul in the form of the TJK Trophy. Two-year old Smarty Moonhak (Smarty Jones) gets a swift introdution to high level racing as he takes on a full field of older imports.

It’s been a sunny week but there is a chance of rain so umbrellas are a must on what is set to be a cracking weekend of racing. In addition to Seoul, as usual there are also cards at Busan Jeju Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday November 4

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 17:30

Saturday November 5

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:40 including the TJK Trophy at 16:30
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday November 6

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:10 including the President’s Cup at 16:35
Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:05