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23.
Korea Enters
The Fray - Magic Millions
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10/01/2003 |
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A
buyer from Korea made history when the 2003 Magic Millions Yearling Sale
continued at the Gold Coast on January 10.
The bidder Lee Jong Won, representing a group of racehorse owners from Korea,
secured the first horse ever purchased at a Magic Millions sale by a
representative of that Asian country.
"This is the first time we've ever had a horse sold to Korean
interests," said Magic Millions director Don Hancock.
Hancock said Korea is expanding its bloodstock industry. “There are currently
2000 mares and only 24 stallions,” he said.
The Korean purchase may boost the stallion numbers as the Korean syndicate paid
$160,000 for a colt by boom first sire Catbird, a Golden Slipper-winning son of
the great Danehill.
Lee Jong Won is a director of the Seoul Racehorse Owners Association and owns SS
Farm, home to a big number of the country’s mares.
Won added to the international presence on the second day of the five-day Magic
Millions sale with other lots going to buyers from Hong Kong, Ireland and South
Africa.
Guam-based American owner Ken Jones, who raced Magic Millions winner Clan
O’Sullivan and Catbird, re-emerged as a buyer when he paid $145,000 for a colt
by his Golden Slipper winner.
Another name on the buyers list that raised some interest was that of Pakistan
cricket star Wasim Akram, who was credited as the buyer of two fillies by
Fasliyev and Encosta De Lago.
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