Moon Se Young

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.

Jigeum I Sungan Does It Again

Jigeum I Sungan continued his remarkable run of form and further boosted his claims to be the number-one Korean bred horse with victory in the Jeju Governor’s Cup at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Jigeum I Sungan and Moon Se Young win the Jeju Governor's Cup (Picture: KRA)

Jigeum I Sungan and Moon Se Young win the Jeju Governor’s Cup (Picture: KRA)

Jigeum I Sungan (Ingrandire) won two legs of the 2012 Korean Triple Crown and came into this race off the back of 5 successive wins since being beaten into 2nd place by Dangdae Bulpae in last year’s President’s Cup. Four horses came up from Busan to challenge him and, while they got closer than most have recently, when Jigeum I Sungan was asked for an effort, he didn’t disappoint.

Having taken the lead a furlong and a half out, Jigeum I Sungan held off KNN Cup winning mare Yodongseong (Concept Win) and Road To Prince (Pico Central) to take victory by just over a length.

There was none of the usual showboating from jockey Moon Se Young as they crossed the line as this win required a proper effort from Jigeum I Sungan. Instead he saved it until after the race, emulating Joe Fujii at the Grand Prix and Derby by bringing his horse back out in front of the grandstand to take the applause.

Pushed as he was, this colt is still showing improvement every time he runs and, while it seems likely he will take Dangdae Bulpae’s crown of best Korean horse by default due to the 6 year-old’s injury, it was arguably only a matter of time until he did so on the track anyway.

The less said about Seoul’s remaining entrants the better, suffice to say that the 4 visitors from the South filled places 2-5. Jigeum I Sungan is a superstar but he generally swims in a very small pond at Seoul. It was a great performance today and while it is a long way off, Jigeum I Sungan now looks the one to beat in the President’s Cup later this year.

Jigeum I Sungan allows punters to pet him after he won the Jeju Cup. Try doing that with Tough Win or Dongbanui Gangja and they'd have eaten you.

Jigeum I Sungan allows punters to pet him after he won the Jeju Cup. Try doing that with Tough Win or Dongbanui Gangja and they’d have eaten you.

Jeju Governor’s Cup (KOR G3) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – June 30, 2013

1. Jigeum I Sungan (KOR) [Ingrandire – Solmaru (Mujaazif)] – Moon Se Young – 1.3, 1.0
2. Yongduseong (KOR) [Concept Win – C’Est Avie (Lord Avie)] – Lim Sung Sil – 2.2
3. Road To Prince (KOR) [Pico Central – Ransom Bay (Red Ransom)] – Kanichiro Fujii – 1.4

Distances: 1.25 lengths/1.25 lengths – 11 ran

Next week, this year’s Korean Derby winner makes her first racecourse appearance since winning the Classic last month. Speedy First heads the field in a competitive looking Gyongnam Do-Min Ilbo Stakes at Busan.

Jigeum I Sungan Cruises To Sports Kyunghyang Trophy

Jigeum I Sungan landed his 5th straight win – and his 11th in total – routing a class 1 field at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Jigeum I Sungan and Moon Se Young return as winners again

Jigeum I Sungan and Moon Se Young return as winners again

The 2012 Korean Derby winner was sent off as the long odds-on favourite for the Sports Kyunghyang Trophy, a 1900 metre handicap. While jockey Moon Se Young was patient, once he pulled the trigger with 300 metres to go, Jigeum I Sungan slipped away from the field, cantering over the line 10 lengths of his nearest rival.

The 4-year old Jigeum I Sungan (Ingrandire) is unbeaten since losing to Dangdae Bulpae in the President’s Cup last November. Among Korean bred horses, only the 6-year-old Dangdae Bulpae is currently ranked higher and another meeting between the two would be very interesting.

* Next week, Stakes action returns to Seoul in the shape of the Sports Chosun Cup. Feel So Good, who was among those crushed by Jigeum I Sungan in the Owners Association Trophy last month, is set to be given an opportunity to show that his performance that day was a one-off and to start to live up to the expectations that many people had of the first Korean bred horse to win a race in the United States.

Dominant Jigeum I Sungan Owns Seoul

Feel So Good Fades as Derby Winner Adds Owners’ Trophy to Collection

Jigeum I Sungan stormed to a dominant victory in the Owners’ Association Trophy at Seoul Race Park this afternoon in the process cementing his place as the top Korean-bred horse at the track and handing a first defeat on Korean soil to Feel So Good.

Jigeum I Sungan and Moon Se Young win the Owners' Cup

Jigeum I Sungan and Moon Se Young win the Owners’ Cup

The 2012 Korean Derby winner, Jigeum I Sungan (Ingrandire) has shown improvement with every run and today was no exception. Despite dropping back to 1400 metres and facing Feel So Good (Ft.Stockton), the first Korean-bred horse to win a race in the United States and who had won his first 3 Korean starts without breaking into a gallop, Jigeum I Sungan was sent off the heavy favourite.

Jigeum I Sungan and Moon Se Young Return

Jigeum I Sungan and Moon Se Young Return

While Feel So Good was quick out of the gate and into an early lead there was never a stage when the result looked in doubt.

As they entered the home straight, Moon Se Young brought Jigeum I Sungan around the outside of the field and into contention while Kim Ok Sung got no response from Feel So Good.

After that it was just a matter of how much he would win by, jockey Moon spending most of the final furlong contemplating how he would pose for the cameras on the finish line.

7 lengths was the ultimate margin. Behind him, two rank outsiders got the closest. New And Best (Trick Of Fate) was guided into 2nd by Japanese jockey Yukio Abe at odds of well over 200/1 while coming in third was 125/1 Jeumeundeungi (War Zone). Feel So Good trailed over the line in 10th and was later found to be lame in his left foreleg.

Jigeum I Sungan now has 10 wins from 19 career starts – with 8 of those wins coming in his most recent 11 starts. The last horse to beat him was Dangdae Bulpae as the Busan superstar romped to his 3rd consecutive President’s Cup last November. Next time the face each other, the younger horse should be much more competitive.

Winning jockey Moon Se Young spent the first 3 months of this year riding in Macau, notching 7 winners. The 2012 Champion has given his rivals a big head start but, having grabbed 5 winners over the course of the weekend and 10 in total since returning, it would be a brave man who’d bet against him grinding his rivals down over the rest of the season.

Japanese jockey Yukio Abe (right), who rode New And Best to a shock 2nd place, congratulates winner Moon Se Young

Japanese jockey Yukio Abe (right), who rode New And Best to a shock 2nd place, congratulates winner Moon Se Young

He had missed 3 wins on this horse while in Macau but Moon showed his delight on being back on him with the kind of celebration he used to reserve for his former favourite mount, Bally Brae.

Bally Brae became one of the best horses of his decade. If Jigeum I Sungan – his name means “This Is The Moment” – keeps up this form, it is very possible he may end up remembered as one of the best of his.

Owners’ Association Trophy (KOR GIII) – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – April 21, 2013

1. Jigeum I Sungan (KOR) [Ingrandire – Solmaru (Mujaazif)] – Moon Se Young – 1.6, 1.0
2. New And Best (KOR) [Trick Of Fate – Yongunch’Eon (Phizam)] – Yukio Abe – 24.3
3. Jeumeundeungi (KOR) [War Zone – Taraxacum (Meadowlake)] – Lee Joon Chel – 20.4

Distances: 7 lengths/1.25 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Geuma Champ 5. Special Win 6. Global Fusion 7. Jangbi Sarang 8. Sobaengnyeong 9. Yeongung Icheon 10. Feel So Good 11. Yacheonsaryeongbu

Japanese Jockey Ikuyasu Kurakane Set For Seoul Return

Ikuyasu Kurakane, who rode at Seoul and Busan for 2 years between 2007 and 2009 will return to Korea. The 38-year-old jockey has been granted a 6 month license to ride at Seoul Race Park beginning from April 6.

Coming Back: Ikuyasu Kurakane

Coming Back: Ikuyasu Kurakane (KRA)

Along with countryman Nozomu Tomizawa, Ikuyasu joined the jockey ranks at Seoul in mid-2007 and quickly established himself among the top riders at the track, winning the NACF Chairman’s race on filly Pilseung Giwon (Silent Warrior), that autumn. After 18 months at Seoul, he moved to Busan in late 2008 and continued to be successful there, ultimately notching a total 106 winners from just over 1000 rides in Korea.

The jockey recently landed his 1500th career winner in Japan but had been looking for an opportunity to return to Korea for some time. He’ll join Yukio Abe at Seoul, who has had a quiet time since relocating from Busan last year but who recently extended his contract by another 4 months. At Busan, where foreign jockeys tend to have an easier time of things, Joe Fujii and Darryll Holland are the only 2 foreign riders.

Ikuyasu was one of the few foreign riders who did not struggle in the past to get rides at Seoul. His return, coming as it does at the same time that champion jockey Moon Se Young arrives back in Korea from his 3-month stint in Macau, means things could be about to get very competitive in the capital’s weighing room.

Eleven Jockeys Go Free At Seoul

As of February, jockeys at Seoul Race Park can once again designate themselves freelance and eleven local riders have opted to join Japanese jockey Yukio Abe in being unattached to a trainer.

I'm Free! Moon Se Young is among 11 jockeys going freelance

I’m Free! Moon Se Young is among 11 jockeys goinf freelance

The majority of the track’s big names are among them, including current champion Moon Se Young (who is riding in Macau at the moment), current leader Jo In Kwen and all-time great Park Tae Jong.

Kim Hae Sun, who is poised to shortly become the all-time leading female thoroughbred jockey in Korea joins them.

The advantage of a jockey being freelance is that he or she is not restricted in the number of rides they can accept across a weekend of racing while the disadvantage (in theory) is that they have to battle for every mount. They also do not receive a salary from a trainer for trackwork but instead get paid per work.

The full list is as follows:

Kim Young Jin
Moon Se Young
Cho Kyoung Ho
Park Tae Jong
Jang Chu Yeol
Kim Hae Sun
Park Sang Woo
Lee Sang Hyeok
Jo In Kwen
Oh Kyoung Hoan
Yoo Seung Wan

As a foreign rider, Yukio Abe was already a freelancer even when the locals weren’t. Abe recently received an extension to his license to ride at Seoul but is having a quiet time at Seoul despite being a roaring success at Busan.

Down on the South-Coast, where different union agreements exist among the riders, the two Japanese jockeys, Joe Fujii and Narazaki Kosuke remain the only freelancers and both are in demand from owners and trainers.

Weekend Round-up: Global Fusion Takes New Year Stakes While Moon Se Young Rides First Winner in Macau

The first Stakes race of 2013 was run at Seoul Race Park on Saturday afternoon and it went the way of 3/1 joint second-favourite Global Fusion (Menifee).

Global Fusion and Cho Kyong Ho return after winning the New Year Stakes

Global Fusion and Cho Kyong Ho return after winning the New Year Stakes

Yaho Pilseung (Exploit) was sent off as favourite but, despite jockey Choi Bum Hyun’s frantic efforts, refused to break when the gates opened, leaving himself with 20 length to make up on the field – much to the chagrin of punters. In his absence at the business end of the race, Global Fusion, who was always well-placed, got the better of Naejangsan (Menifee) in the final furlong.

Global Fusion (Menifee-Morning Red Sky) is a 4-year-old colt and moves onto 6 wins from 12 starts, qualifying for class 1 races in the process. For jockey Cho Kyoung Ho, it was a welcome return to big race form after a disappointing end to 2012.

Another jockey enjoying a good start to 2013 was Yukio Abe. The Japanese rider has had a challenging time getting rides since moving to Seoul midway through last year after a successful stint at Busan. He’s begun the year well though, landing a double on Saturday first through Sudden Fortune (Latent Heat) in race 5 and then on Appealing Jeil (Exploit) in race 13.

Winning: Seo Seung Un

Winning: Seo Seung Un

The best start of all, however, was made by Seo Seung Un. The second year jockey ride four winners across the weekend and, along with Jo In Kwen, looks set to make Champion Jockey Moon Se Young work very hard if he is to retain his title.

They will certainly have a chance to gain a big lead as Moon is spending the early part of the season riding in Macau. On Saturday, Moon rode his first winner there, partnering 22/1 chance Mr. Excellency to victory over 1200 metres on turf. As well as Moon, Boo Min Ho is also riding on a short-term license in Macau but is yet to score after 5 ides.

* One notable result from Busan on Friday was a second consecutive win for 3-year-old gelding My Key (Macho-Uno-Worldly Pleasure). The half-brother of US champion Game On Dude broke his maiden last time out by 10 lengths and on Friday, despite stepping up in class, was a 7 length winner in race 6.

Busan’s Sunday feature race was won by another horse with a famous sibling – in Korean terms anyway. Dongteuja (Montbrook-Maremaid) is the half-sister of two-time Grand Prix winner Dongbanui Gangja. She was the 3 length winner of the 1800 metre contest to record her 7th victory from 12 starts.

Seoul Round Up: Unexpected Victory while Curlin’s First Korean Runner Wins Again

Seoul Race Park wrapped up its 2012 program today with a bumper fourteen race card which saw a shock in the feature race and also some potential emerging talent for next year finding their way to the winner’s circle.

Open Wide: Byeokdu, son of Curlin, won for the second time in four starts

Open Wide: Byeokdu, son of Curlin, won for the second time in four starts

Being the first horse by US champion Curlin to find his way to Korea, there was always going to be plenty of attention on two-year old colt Byeokdu (Curlin – Vague Notion).

After finishing fourth in his first two starts, he pulled himself together and became a winner last time out and today, he made it two wins in a row.

Under Jo In Kwen, Byeokdu looked to be having a difficult time finding a gap as the field entered the home straight, however, after finally freeing himself with a furlong to run, he cruised into the lead and over the line with a length and a half in hand. He will be one to watch in 2013.

Seoul’s final feature race of the year had an unexpected result. Favourites Tongjesa, Ace Galloper and Magnifique were beaten as 40/1 outsider Victory (Osumi Jet) came down the outside of the track to surprise everyone. Ace Galloper managed second place but the other favourites were nowhere as 50/1 Cheot Insang rounded out the placings.

Victory. a five-year old gelding now has 6 wins from his 32 race career. This was his first at class 1.

The long shots weren’t finished there. In the track’s final race of the year, 102/1 chance Cheonguntaehu (Capital Spending) pulled off a remarkably convincing win ahead of 13 rivals. It was only the second win of the five-year old mare’s 31 starts, her only previous success coming in November 2010. That day she was ridden by Lee Keum Joo; today it was another female jockey, Yoo Mi Ra who rode her, scoring just the 6th win of her own career.

Connections of Horse Of The Year Jigeum I Sungan (left) and Champion Jockey Moon Se Young (second from right) collect their awards

Connections of Horse Of The Year Jigeum I Sungan (left) and Champion Jockey Moon Se Young (second from right) collect their awards



Despite the sub-zero temperatures and biting wind, a short ceremony was held to give out Horse and Jockey of the Year awards. Korean Derby and Minister’s Cup winner Jigeum I Sungan (Ingrandire) took the Horse Of The Year honours while Moon Se Young, champion jockey by a record margin and with a record number of winners was awarded Jockey Of The Year.

Next weekend, Busan takes centre stage as it hosts its final meeting of the year. Racing returns to Seoul on January 5th when the Herald Business New Year’s Commemorative Stakes will be the feature.

Closing Day 2012 - Seoul Racecourse, December 23

Closing Day 2012 – Seoul Racecourse, December 23

Another Perfect Moment For Jigeum I Sungan

Derby Winner Beats Oaks And Cup Mile Winners To Land Third Leg Of Triple Crown

Jigeum I Sungan secured the final leg of the Korean Triple Crown in emphatic fashion at Seoul Race Park this afternoon and in doing so, assured himself of the title of Champion three-year old of 2012.

Their moment: Jigeum I Sungan and Moon Se Young return after winning the Minister’s Cup

The Korean Derby winner beat out the Oaks winning filly Rising Glory and KRA Cup mile winning colt Gyeongbudaero to win the Minister’s Cup by four lengths and become the first horse since the Triple Crown winning J.S.Hold in 2007 to win both the Derby and the Minister’s Cup.

Sent off as the 2/1 favourite, Jigeum I Sungan – “This is the Moment” in English – was kept in the middle of the pack for the first half of the 10 furlong race. Jockey Moon Se Young asked the Derby winner to improve around the home turn and as the entered the home straight, all the big contenders were massing.

Jigeum I Sungan and Moon Se Young in the winner’s circle

Gyeongbudaero was on the inside under Joe Fujii and Nobel Pokpung, a fast finishing second in the Derby looked poised to strike under Gerrit Schlechter on the outside.

They had nothing on Jigeum I Sungan though who accelerated away for an untroubled win. Oaks winner Rising Glory finished fast down the outside to grab second place, a neck in front of Gyeongbudaero.

So things ended as they should. The Derby winner finishing first, the Oaks winner second and the KRA Cup Mile winner third. Today, however, Jigeum I Sungan was best in all departments.

Further clashes look likely and it will be fascinating to see if he is ready to take on the likes of Dangdae Bulpae in the President’s Cup in a month’s time. Even with the weight advantage that he’ll have, it may be a little too early.

For jockey Moon Se Young, it was another golden day following his win in the Singapore Turf Club Trophy yesterday. It was his second Minister’s Cup, having won the 2004 edition on Mupae Gangja.

Jigeum I Sungan is the first Seoul-based horse to win the Minister’s Cup since J.S. Hold in 2007. Gaeson Janggun in 2008, Namdo Jeap in 2009, Dangdae Bulpae in 2010 and Dongseo Jeongbeol in 2011 were all trained at Busan.

Jigeum I Sungan is the first of his until now unfashonable Japanese bred sire Ingrandire (White Muzzle) to become a big star on the track. Ingrandire was imported to Korea in 2006. The winner’s dam, Solmaru (Mujaazif) finished third in the Korean Oaks in 2003. Her four previous foals all went onto win.

The 2007 edition turned out to be J.S. Hold’s last race. Jigeum I Sungan isn’t in his class just yet, but on today’s evidence, he’s going to be a lot of fun to watch in future.

Minister of FAFF Stakes (KOR G2) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Sunday October 14, 2012

1. Jigeum I Sungan (KOR) [Ingrandire – Solmaru (Mujaazif)] – Moon Se Young – 2.9, 1.3
2. Rising Glory (KOR) [Menifee – Straight Cash (Straight Man)] – Jo Sung Gon – 4.3
3. Gyeongbudaero (KOR) [Menifee – Princess Lanique (Cherokee Run)] – Kanichiro Fujii – 1.5

Distances: 4 lengths/Neck
Also ran: 4. Naejangsan 5. Wonderful Namhae 6. Fine Fine 7. Nobel Pokpung 8. Myeongun Jewang 9. Royal Galloper 10. Alpha Myeongjang 11. Chowon Yeoje 12. Tongjesa 13. Himchan Jilju 14. Gumanseok

Canadian Filly Dangdae Jeonseung Wins Singapore Turf Club Trophy

Dangdae Jeonseung cruised to a comfortble victory in the Singapore Turf Club Trophy At Seoul Race Park this afternoon.

Dangdae Jeonseung stands tall after the Singapore Turf Club Trophy

Always well-placed, the Canadian bred filly reeled in and overtook favourite and long-time leader Chowonuibyeol in the home straight to win, going away, by a length and a half at the end of the 7 furlong race, which was the second time Singapore’s racing authority has sponsored a race in Korea.

It was only Dangdae Jeonseung’s fourth career win, however, she rewarded punters who had kept enough faith with her to back her into second favourite, despite disappointing recent showings in the KNN and YTN Cups. She hadn’t run since but the two months off clearly benefitted her and it will be interesting to see how she performs next time.

Foaled in Canada but purchased out of a US sale, Dangdae Jeonseung is one of very few Canadian bred racehorses in Korea. Another one, Sufficientevidence (Pleasant Tap), was also a winner at Seoul today. The two-year old colt broke his maiden in race 6.

Singapore Turf Club Trophy – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – October 13, 2012

1. Dangdae Jeonseung (CAN) [Put It Back – Diamond-Heirloom (Pembroke)] – Moon Se Young – 2.5, 1.4
2. Chowonuibyeol (USA) [Rockport Harbor – Arctic’s Angel (Artax)] – Choi Bum Hyun – 1.4
3. Dashing Platinum (USA) [Macho Uno – Forbidden Kiss (Touch Gold)] – Yoo Seung Wan – 3.3
Distances: 1.5 lengths / 2.5 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Big Power (USA) 5. Xicar (AUS) 6. Indian Cherokee (USA) 7. Raonjena (USA) 8. Winner Trophy (USA) 9. Baekduachim (USA) 10. New Terracan (USA) 11. Fortunata (USA) 12. A Wanted Affair (USA) 13. Golden Socks (USA) 14. Yongsan Hwangnyong (USA)

Dangdae Jeonseung was one of three winners today for Moon Se Young and the champion jockey will be looking to make a quick return to the winner’s circle tomorrow when he partners Korean Derby winner Jigeum I Sungan in the Minister’s Cup, the final leg of the 2012 Korean Triple Crown.

Sunday October 13:

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 17:55 including the Minister’s cup at 16:15
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:15 to 16:40