'Top Owner' Lee Jonghoon Achieves 300 Wins... "The Life of a Single Horse Is Truly Moving"

20 Years as a Racehorse Owner
A Journey Written with Patience

"A racehorse is like a crystal that could shatter at the slightest touch. That is why the life of each and every horse is precious."

Lee Jonghoon, 63, who became the first owner in Korean horse racing history to achieve 300 wins, regards horses not as 'objects of investment' but as 'companions.'

Active at the Busan-Gyeongnam Racecourse, Lee set a meaningful record in March when his horse crossed the finish line. For an owner, 300 wins is unprecedented.

Lee Jonghoon, the horse trainer, is delighted as he looks at the painting he received to commemorate his 300th win. Photo by LetsRunPark BusanGyeongnam

The role of an owner in horse racing is far from simple. The cost of purchasing racehorses and entrusting them to trainers for training is borne entirely by the owner. This includes feed costs, labor expenses, and management fees, as well as losses incurred due to poor performance. Despite these circumstances, Lee has remained steadfast, walking alongside his racehorses.

"It is not my ability, but good fortune in meeting the right people. For an owner, all you can do is trust and wait."

This was Lee's answer when asked about the secret to his success as an owner. He believes that when racing results are good, the credit goes to the horse, the jockey, and the trainer, and when things do not go well, one should take responsibility oneself.

His connection to horse racing began with memories of his father. Lee's father grew up near Beolmadong Racecourse in Daegu before liberation and frequently visited the racetrack. For his father, Lee started his life as an owner in 2004 when the Busan-Gyeongnam Racecourse opened, encouraged by a friend.

"I wanted to give my father even a single betting ticket. That feeling has continued to this day."

On the day his horse won a major race, his father stood with him on the winner's podium. Lee said, "The best thing I have done as an owner is to be a devoted son."

However, the past 20 years were not always smooth. In particular, during the COVID-19 period, he suffered losses and went through a slump. He even considered quitting as an owner. Each time, Lee chose to trust and wait for the trainer to whom he had entrusted his horses.

"If you become impatient, both the horse and the people involved will be ruined. The owner's role is to watch over things so that the trainer can train with confidence."

The life of a racehorse is short. On average, the total time a horse spends actually racing is only about 30 minutes. Lee emphasized, "We pour five to six years of sweat and devotion for those 30 minutes," adding, "The result is fleeting, but the process is a series of endurance and perseverance."

When his horse wins, the first thing he asks the trainer is, "Is the horse okay?" The hardest moment for him as an owner is hearing news of a racehorse's injury.

"The call I least want to receive is one that comes before 10 a.m. That usually means something has happened."

Lee's affection for horses extends to the sport of horse racing itself, which he describes as follows:

"A horse's eyes are truly gentle, and its muscles are as beautiful as those of Hercules. Watching such an animal connect with people and run to the very end is moving in itself. That is the true charm of horse racing."

Jonghoon Lee (right) is taking a commemorative photo with Youngseok Um, head of the Korea Racing Authority Busan-Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters, after being inducted into the Diamond section of the Owner Hall of Fame at a multiple wins achievement event held at LetsRun Park Busan-Gyeongnam late last month. Provided by LetsRun Park Busan-Gyeongnam