Who Is Seo Seung Woon?

Nathan Stanley And Six Apprentices Join Weighing Rooms

It was such a breathless start to the month on the track that perhaps it’s no bad thing that we’re off this coming weekend for the Korean Thanksgiving holiday. Highlight of the weekend was Australian jockey Nathan Stanley making an unexpected debut, and scoring an even more unexpected DQ victor, for countryman Peter Wolsley in the dramatic Busan Owners’ Cup on Sunday. However, Stanley was just one of seven new jockeys to debut at the weekend.

Dream Start: Seo Seung Woon drives Darling Vision to victory

The rest were all graduates of the KRA Jockey Academy, three at Seoul and three at Busan. And undoubtedly the star of the show was 21-year-old Seo Seung Woon. It started off as good fortune as the young jockey got the kind of break that others have had to wait many months for in only his second ride – he was on the favourite. If he felt any pressure, it didn’t show as he guided Challenge Concept (Concept Win) to a comfortable win. Later came the shock as in race 9, he produced a perfectly timed run on 37/1 shot Daring Vision (Perfect Champion) to beat out the opposition and claim a very good win. Punters were impressed.

New At Seoul: Lee Hyeok, Lee A-Na and Seo Seung Woon Pic: KRA

Seo is joined at Seoul by 24-year-old Lee Hyeok and 22-year-old Lee A-Na, who brings the number of female jockeys currently riding at Seoul to six. She will be looking to follow Kim Hae Sun who, two years after qualifying, is slowly becoming established as a potential star. Busan’s jockeys tend to be slightly less experienced than those at Seoul (although that is not to say less talented – often it’s anything but) so this year was the first in some time that the track has had a new intake. As well as Australian veteran Stanley, academy graduates Kim Jung Woong, Yoo Kwang Hee and Jung Dong Chul also debuted.

Busan new boys: Kim Jung Woong, Yoo Kwang Hee and Jung Dong Chul - The very manly pic is by the KRA

Korean blogger Chulgigi did sound a note of caution though. In 1995, newly qualified Ji Ha Ju won his first two races. Sixteen years later and he’s only won 212 more and has never been prolific in terms of mounts or wins. Things are different these days though. Much more rigorous training, helped by the presence of South African jockey trainer Kenny Michel, as well as stints in wither South Africa or Australia for the graduates mean that today’s newly qualified jockeys are better prepared – and, dare we say just plain better, than their forerunners. Lee Sang Hyeok, Jo In Kwen, Kim Hae Sun and Jang Chu Youl are just four recent graduates at Seoul who punters would place ahead of all but the elite four – Park Tae Jong, Cho Kyoung Ho, Moon Se Young and Choi Bum Hyun (that last one is questionable too).

As for Nathan Stanley, he debuted in 1992 and in addition to having ridden in Australia, has also competed recently in Malaysia. He takes over the senior International Jockey role at Busan from Toshio Uchida who completed his second stint at the track at the end of August.

And if the foreign contingent in Korea were feeling some sense of satisfaction that the Union had seen off Uchida only to see his replacement win a Group race in his very first ride – for a foreign trainer to boot – then they were positively rolling on the floor with laughter an hour later as Akane Yamamoto took out the Gold Circle Trophy on outsider Cheonji Horyeong (Buster’s Daydream). For some it may be that the foreigners are coming here and taking the money. They should, however, look at the benefits. The bar is being raised for everyone and that can only benefit racing in the long-term.

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

Aussie Trainer And Jockey Combine in Owners’ Cup

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

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

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

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

DQ: Cheonnyeon Daero

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

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

Nathan Stanley

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

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

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

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

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

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

Seoul Racecourse - September 4, 2011

Kkakjaengi Fails Her Tough Test

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dream Start: Seo Seung Woon drives Darling Vision to victory

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

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

Sunday September 4

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

Mister Park Sets New Consecutive Win Record

Son of Ecton Park Romps to Sixteenth Straight Victory

In the end we didn’t get our Zenyatta-esque Glory in victory and glory in defeat That was what we were expecting had Mister Park been able to put his fifteen race unbeaten record on the line back in July in the Busan Metropolitan against the very best on the peninsula.

Mister Park (Pic: KRA)

Instead, it was shortly after 6pm on this warm late summer Friday and in a regular handicap when, in his customary fashion, Mister Park steamrolled his way into the record books to win a record sixteenth consecutive victory.

Taking on foreign-bred horses for only the third time in his career allowed the four-year old gelding to carry less weight than he would have done against Korean born opposition and he led from gate to wire to score a five-length win.

With the win, he surpasses Po Gyeong Seon and Saegangja – iconic names in Korean racing – with whom he had been tied on fifteen since his last start in June. He is a special talent yet, due to circumstances and the way he has been campaigned, he does not get the kind of coverage others do. Having been born in Korea but sired outside (his sire, Ecton Park was later brought to Korea too) he was ineligible for the three-year old Classics and had to wait back in the barn while Dangdae Bulpae (Biwa Shinseiki) racked up five Stakes wins.

Mister Park in the Grand Prix Winner's Circle

Mister Park only has the one Stakes victory, albeit the biggest of them all in the 2010 Grand Prix, and only faced foreign bred horses on one other occasion before today. His late withdrawal from the Busan Metropolitan led to claims from some – vehemently denied by connections – that they were happy to harvest relatively easy money by winning mismatches in contrast to the likes of Yeonseung Daero who has a much lower win rate than he should simply because he only ever runs against the very best.

None of this is Mister Park’s fault of course. He just beats whoever he’s asked to. And he’s beaten them all. Sixteen times in a row.

How many more can he win? There are potential threats. Lion Santa (Lion Heart) is a year younger and has won all eight of his starts so far. A US import, however, there is no guarantee that he will ever meet Mister Park. He will also quickly find himself carrying a lot of weight in handicaps – something Mister Park can escape by entering foreign-bred races. If they do, it would likely come in the Grand Prix at Seoul in December. IF he makes it there and goes onto win, Mister Park will undoubtedly belong among the great names of Korean racing.

* Mister Park [Ecton Park-Formal Deal (Formal Gold)] is a four-year old gelding owned by Oh Sang Chul and trained by Kim Young Gwan. His jockey today was Jo Sung Gon.

Click here to watch the race

Weekend Preview

Owners’ Cup At Busan / Kkakjaengi Meets Tough Win at Seoul

It’s Busan Owners’ Cup Weekend and Dangdae Bulpae will be at the head of a field of seven racing for one of Busan Race Park’s biggest prizes of the year on Sunday afternoon. However, that’s just the highlight of a busy weekend of racing in Korea.

Tough Test: Kkakjaengi

And up at Seoul on Saturday we have an absolute belter of a feature race as the star three-year old filly Kkaekjaengi (Put It Back), winner of the Segye Ilbo Cup and Seoul Owners’ Trophy, faces the toughest test of her short career so far taking on eleven older male horses over seven furlongs. And not just any old males. Alongside her will be Tough Win (Yonaguska), who is making his first start since he and Dangdae Bulpae thwarted each other in the Busan Metropolitan in July.

Tough Win is still the top rated horse at Seoul with eleven wins from his fifteen starts. Then there’s Larrycat (Fantasticat), second only to Mister Park in the Grand Prix Stakes last year, he’s making only his fourth appearance of the year and is dropping down to seven furlongs for the first time since he was a two-year old. Then there is Bally Brae (Yarrow Brae). The former Grand Prix Stakes winner will have Moon Se Young back in the saddle for the first time this year and is still capable of pulling off an upset. The big race is race 11 of 12 on Saturday.

It is set to be a beautiful – if ever so slightly humid weekend. Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday September 2

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday September 3

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:30
Jeju Race Park: 10 races from 12:30 to 17:55

Sunday September 4

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

Classic Winners To Clash In Busan Owners’ Cup

The World Athletics Championships may be coming to an end in Daegu this weekend, but 90 kilometers down the Gyeongbu Expressway, two of the nation’s biggest track stars will face off in the Group 3 Busan Owners’ Trophy.

Dangdae Bulpae

Dangdae Bulpae has been the stand-out Stakes winning star of the past year with five Stakes victories including the Minister’s and Ttukseom Cups at Seoul. He’ll go into Sunday’s race as hot favourite but will face the two horses that finished ahead of him in last year’s Korean Derby, Cheonnyeon Daero and Triple Sinhwa.

In his last outing, in the Busan Metropolitan in July, Dangdae Bulpae got suckered into a speed duel with favourite Tough Win which left both horses exhausted and out of contention in the home straight. Jockey Jo SUng Gon will be under pressure not to allow that to happen again. Coincidentally, Cheonnyeon Daero benefitted in his Derby by favourite on the day Money Car suffering exactly the same fate as he took on sprint king Seonbongbulpae in the early stages of the race and wilted close to the line. Cheonnyeon Daero took the win and his gone on to become a top performer.

Cheonnyeon Daero wins the 2010 Derby (Pic: Ross Holburt)

However, he was second to Dangdae Bulpae in both the Ttukseom Cup and KNN Cup and few would bet against the same happening again.

Mupae Star, Khaosan, Isidae Gangja and Super Chocolate complete a field that is short on numbers but not on talent. If Khaosan can pull off the upset, it would be a first Stakes winner in Korea for trainer Peter Wolsley. Here’s a full list of runners (Name [Pedigree] Age, Sex, Weight to Carry (Starts/wins/2nds/3rds) – Jockey):

Busan Owners’ Cup (KOR.GIII) -Busan Race Park – 2000M – Sunday September 4, 16:15

1. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki-Indeed My Deed (Alydeed)] 4,C,60Kg (18/12/1/1) – Jo Sung Gon
2. Triple Sinhwa (KOR) [Capital Spending-Claudia’s Secret (Crafty Prospector)] 4,C,57Kg (17/6/6/0) – You Hyun Myung
3. Isidae Gangja (KOR) [Lost Mountain-Angel (Land Rush)] 5,G,55Kg (30/5/8/4) – Choi Si Dae
4. Mupae Star (KOR) [Didyme-Sun Glow (Cryptoclearance)] 5,H,60Kg (41/7/6/6) – Kim Dong Young
5. Cheonnyeon Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat-Doneitmyway (Northern Flagship)] 4,C,60Kg (24/7/11/3) – Park Geum Man
6. Khaosan (KOR) [Sunday Well-Mogaung (Jade Hunter)] 6,G,55Kg (29/6/7/7) – Kim Nam Sung
7. Super Chocolate (KOR) [Silent Warrior-Many Sweet Rewards (Snow Chief)] 4,G,54Kg (27/4/2/3) – Kim Tae Kyung

Toshio Uchida -The Most Popular Japanese Man In Korea – Bows Out

“Mr Pink” Lands A Double On Last Day In Korea

Toshio Uchida’s second stint in Korea ended in typical fashion as the Japanese jockey landed a pair of victories at Busan Race Park this afternoon. Uchida’s short-term Korean license expires on August 31 and the Korea Racing Authority (KRA) have decided not to renew it.

Going Home: Toshio Uchida(Pic: KRA)

Uchida, who will be 50 in October, is currently top of the 2011 Jockey Championship at Busan and since returning to Korea last autumn has ridden 69 winners from 384 mounts. It could be argued that he is the most popular Japanese man in Korea.

Taking together his two spells, Uchida rode 138 winners from 695 rides – a winning rate of 19.9%. His quinella strike rate was 32.8% and his place rate 46.3%. His biggest win came in this year’s KRA Cup Mile, the first leg of the Korean Triple Crown on Soseuldaemun (Meisei Opera).

So why not renew his license? In a statement, the KRA noted that racing fans here would be very disappointed with the decision. That is an understatement. “Mr. Pink” is so popular that when he made a rare appearance at Seoul, punters chanted his name and applauded him around the paddock – something absolutely unheard of in Korean racing.

Going on to explain, the KRA restated that the goal of their foreign jockey program was to expose local riders to a variety of different styles in the hope that it would be beneficial to them. With Uchida having been in Korea for a total of nearly two years and another Japanese rider Akane Yamamoto having just starting at the track, it was felt that the time was right to move in a different direction – indeed, Uchida’s replacement will be Australian Nathan Stanley.

Soseuldaemun and Toshio Uchida win the KRA Cup Mile (Picture: KRA)

However, this isn’t an explanation that all punters will buy. The program started around about the same time that the Busan track opened. Three Australians were brought over – Mark Newnham, Nathan Day and Garry Baker. Newnham and Day left quickly but Baker went on to become the top jockey at the track in its early days and, like Uchida, won the KRA Cup Mile. He stayed two years but on his departure said the words that have come to define the experience of foreign jockeys in Korea: “..you did get the feeling they didn’t particulary want you there.”

So it is today. It’s understandable, as their job is to protect themselves, but the local Jockey Union is extremely hostile to the idea of foreign riders coming across and “taking their money.” And Uchida certainly took a lot of it! However, this creates conditions that are very difficult for all but the thickest skinned rider to thrive in. Japanese jockeys have had the most success – the only non-Japanese to make a serious go of it have been Baker and South Africa’s Martin Wepner (who had his own license not renewed at the very last-minute) – perhaps due to the cultural aspects of a jockey’s job being similar. Given these barriers, it’s difficult to imagine what the KRA expects of a foreign jockey – be inspiring, but don’t win?

Uchida’s two wins today were both in his usual fashion. First up was Sarang Dream [Purge-Hurricane Warning] in race 3. What Uchida has which is rare among Korean jockeys is the ability to judge the pace of a race and this was apparent here as he manoeuvered Sarang Dream into position and then asked the colt for an effort at exactly the right time, not even needing to use his whip. Next was New Zealand bred Dangdae Champ [Falkirk-Soaring] who Uchida saw to a two-length victory in race 4.

In his final race in Korea, there was every chance of Uchida completing a hat-trick. However, after being sent off second-favourite in the second of co-feature races, Trademark [War Zone-Devil’s Dervish] had to be pulled up after suffering an injury. That race was won by Winning Perfect [Doyen-Miss Beauty] ridden by Jo Sung Gon. Jo is one of the nation’s most promising jockeys and one of those who stood to gain the most from competing with Uchida.

The reality is that only tuition from the likes of Kenny Michel, the excellent South African Jockey trainer who has been working in Korea for the past three years and is turning out some very impressive apprentices, can improve the technical ability of Korean riders. Uchida’s role was to take them out of their comfort zone. Next Friday, Jo Sung Gon is going to be very much back in his comfort zone.

* In other races at Busan, there was an eighth win in eight starts for three-year old US import Lion Santa [Lion Hearted-Santa Fe Strip]. Jockey Kim DOng Young left it until the very last moment but Lion Santa was far too good for a field that included 2008 Korean Derby winner Ebony Storm.

Up at Seoul, former Champion Filly and Mare Dongbang Rose [Volponi-Night Mary] returned to form in impressive style, taking the feature handicap.

Weekend Preview

Following on from last weekend’s beautiful weather, it’s been an even more beautiful week. Alas it’s predicted to be an unsettled weekend but we have at last been getting something resembling a summer. Racing is getting underway around about now at Busan so here’s what’s happening when and where this weekend:

Friday August 26

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday August 27

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

Sunday August 28

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

Creek Cat Holding On As Leading Sire But Menifee & Vicar Loom

With three of the four three-year old Classics out-of-the-way, last year’s Leading General Sire in Korea Creek Cat holds a narrow lead at the top of this year’s race.

Yeonseung Daero - Keeps Creek Cat on top (Pic: KRA)

Fellow established sire Exploit is just behind him but then come the newcomers Menifee and Vicar, who each have a Classic winner to their name this year in third and fourth.

With the top four separated by less than the value of a big Stakes win, there’s all to play for as we head into the autumn.

Gwangyajeil won the Derby for Vicar while Useung Touch, second in that race, won last week’s Oaks to put Menifee up into third spot. With the KRA Cup Mile having gone to Soseuldaemun by the relatively unknown Japanese bred sire Meisei Opera, it is Yeonseung Daero’s exploits in winning the Busan Metropolitan that gives Creek Cat his lead.

Gwangyajeil (Vicar) lead Useung Touch (Menifee) to the line in the Korean Derby

In terms of wins to starts, Vicar and Menifee are far and away superior to their more established counterparts – helped of course by having fewer starters – with figures of 23% and 18% respectively.

US bred sires still dominate with Japan’s Biwa Shinseiki, sire of multiple Stakes winner Dangdae Bulpae, the only non-American in the top ten. He is followed by Ireland’s Yehudi in eleventh who is having a successful second crop.

Here is a full list of the top ten as they stand right now:

2011 Leading General Sires in Korea – January 1 – August 25

Name – Earnings (Korean Won) (Runners/Winners – Starts/Wins) Winning % – Chief Earner

1. Creek Cat (USA) – 2,053,613,000 (55/25 – 285/35) 12.3% – Yeonseung Daero
2. Exploit (USA) – 1,980,696,000 (87/23 – 471-36) 7.6% – Singgeureounachim
3. Menifee (USA) – 1,938,579,000 (46/20 – 236/43) 18.2% – Useung Touch
4. Vicar (USA) – 1,828,161,000 (41/24 – 214/50) 23.4% – Gwangyajeil
5. Concept Win (USA) – 1,800,979,000 (75/24 – 395/42) 10.6% – Hongji
6. War Zone (USA) – 1,657,387,000 (69/22 – 392/33) 8.4% – Trade Mark
7. Volponi (USA) – 1,304,328,000 (63/22 – 336/26) 7.7% – Crown Flag
8. Didyme (USA) – 1,158,135 (54/16 – 275/23) 8.4% – Mupae Star
9. Ft. Stockton (USA) – 1,152,104,000 (70/20 – 371/25) 6.7% – Cheonun
10. Biwa Shinseiki (JPN) – 1,005,352 (36/11 – 175/19) 10.9% – Dangdae Bulpae

*$1 = 1087 Korean Won (Aug 25, 2011)
* Data is from the excellent Korean StudBook

With Menifee and Vicar looking set to be successful and with high expectations of new arrivals Ecton Park and Forest Camp – not to mention Officer – who will all be coming online on the next couple of years, things are looking up in terms of Korean breeding.

Untouchable! Useung Touch Romps The Oaks

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

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

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

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

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

Oaks Winners: Useung Touch and Choi Si Dae

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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