The development of Korea as a progressive racing country
The development of Korea as a progressive racing country
The development of Korea as a progressive racing country
Horseracing in Korea dates back to the 1920’s with the Korean Racing Authority (KRA) formed in 1942. Sadly the Korean War stalled racing’s development in the 1950’s with the country’s racetracks all used for military training. Fortunately the facilities were quickly restored after the war by the KRA and 1988 Summer Olympics saw the building of an equestrian venue that was later to become the Seoul Race Park.
There are nine international runners representing Asian Federation countries running at the Royal Ascot meeting in June with four from Australia and Japan and one from Hong Kong.
Hong Kong provided the winners for the Singapore Turf Club’s major international meeting in May with the Paul O’Sullivan trained Aerovelocity winning the Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint over 1200m and John Moore’s Dan Excel (IRE) making it back to back victories in the Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup over 2000m.
In late March the Hong Kong based Paul O’Sullivan trained Aerovelocity (NZ) travelled to Japan and in historical fashion won the 45th running of the Group 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) at Chukyo, his second Group 1 win after his move to the world stage in the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin in December.
Two ARF countries forged closer links through Group 1 success when Mongolian Khan (AUS) won the Group 1 TV3 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland in February.
The Group 1 Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington last Saturday was eagerly awaited with the three best sprinters in World racing from 2014 in Lankan Rupee, Terravista and Chautauqua, in the field, but it was Brazen Beau who emerged as the young gun in World Sprinting for 2015.
Qatar International Racing Festival
Qatar International Racing Festival
Qatar International Racing Festival
Dubday (GB) under Frankie Dettori recorded back to back victories in the Group 1 HH The Emir’s Trophy for Al Shaqab Racing on February 26th at the Qatar International Racing Festival.
HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s Al Asayl Racing dominated the UAE Arabian season.