OPENING A PATH TO INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

I was thrilled to hear that a trip to Korea that I undertook in December 2006 ended up being a worthwhile exercise for South African horse racing as a whole.

I was one of about 18 foreign press agencies invited by the Korean Racing Association via the Hong Kong Jockey Club in order to experience the thrills of Korean Horseracing.
Like most things in the Far East, it was well organised, exciting and a huge learning curve. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has to be one of the best run racing organisations in the world. They are now opening doors for their neighbours, fully away that a regionally strong racing jurisdiction means more clout in the racing world.

During the trip to the KRA, I initiated a discussion with the KRA's international racing department regarding the possibility of establishing relationships between South Africa and Korea. On my return home, I discussed the concept of having a Korean relationship with Gold Circle Vice-Chairman, Vidrik Thurling. Thurling continued where I left off with a series of meetings in Korea and a relationship was born. It is indeed gratifying to note that the seeds planted back in December 2006 have led to Gerrit Schlecter being invited to Korea's International Jockeys’ Invitational Challenge, the first South African based jockey to be invited to ride in Korea.

The relationship has some way to go but we are firmly on the road to a bi-lateral racing relationship with this budding racing nation.