Busan Gyeongnam Racecourse Unveils New Exhibition Space Showcasing Legendary Horses and Regional Horse Culture
Korea Racing Authority's Let's Run Park Busan Gyeongnam has established the "Busan Gyeongnam Racecourse Heritage Hall," an exhibition space that encapsulates the horse culture and the history of horse racing in the Busan and Gyeongnam regions.
The Heritage Hall is a comprehensive exhibition space designed to provide an overview of the development of the racecourse, starting from the relationship between horses and humans, local horse-related relics, the modern history of horse racing in Busan, and the legendary racehorses produced by Busan racing.
This exhibition was organized to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Let's Run Park Busan Gyeongnam and to raise public awareness of the value of horses and horse racing as a sport.
The exhibition space highlights the historical flow of how horses have contributed to human mobility, exchange, and cultural development, and introduces the continued value of horses in new fields such as equestrian sports, horse racing, leisure, and therapy even after industrialization. Visitors can trace the long journey of horses through photographic materials, from the Lascaux cave paintings dating back to around 17,000 BC to artifacts from the Gaya period.
Horse-related place names remaining in Busan and Gyeongnam are also introduced in an engaging way. Traces of horse ranches from the Three Kingdoms period to the Joseon Dynasty have survived as place names, telling the region's history.
Locations such as Hama-jeong in Yangjeong-dong, where people had to dismount and show respect, Jeolyeongdo, named after the royal horse Jeolyeongma, and Mabideung, the mane-shaped terrain where Let's Run Park Busan Gyeongnam is located, all demonstrate the deep connection between horses and the region.
The modern history of horse racing in Busan began in earnest with touring races during the Japanese colonial period and the opening of the Seomyeon Racecourse in 1930. At that time, the racecourse served as a major leisure and festival venue for citizens, invigorating the local economy and culture. The exhibition vividly presents the evolution of horse racing in Busan up to its suspension in 1957 through newspaper clippings and photographic archives.
The legacy of horse racing in Busan was revived in 2005 with the opening of the Busan Gyeongnam Racecourse. The exhibition space outlines key events in the establishment process, including the site selection, cultural heritage excavations, and adjustments to regulations and budgets following the 1973 announcement of a new racecourse. It provides a clear overview of the symbolic process in which the aspirations of the local community during the era of local autonomy came to fruition.
The exhibition also shines a spotlight on the achievements of the legendary racehorses produced by Let's Run Park Busan Gyeongnam. These include Luna, who overcame a congenital disability; Mister Park, who holds the Korean record for 17 consecutive wins; Triple Nine, who achieved four consecutive victories in the President's Cup; Blue Chipper, the first winner of the Korea Sprint; and Winner's Man, who achieved a G1 Grand Slam. These horses, representing Busan and Gyeongnam, are introduced through the exhibition.
In a space inspired by the actual parade ring (paddock), the records and stories of ten legendary horses are presented on large panels and videos, conveying the tension and atmosphere just before a race. The exhibition also highlights the dedicated efforts of trainers, stable staff, and jockeys, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes stories of the birth of these champions.
Throughout the exhibition space, materials donated by horse racing professionals and Korea Racing Authority employees are on display. These include a collection of horseshoes from winning horses preserved by trainers over decades, jockey equipment, and items from overseas races, vividly recording the time shared by horses and people.
The Heritage Hall is located on the first floor of the annex at Let's Run Park Busan Gyeongnam, in the "Mister Park Lounge," and will be open to the public through the Let's Run Tour program starting next year. The opening will be gradually expanded according to visitor demand.
Um Youngseok, Head of the Busan Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters of the Korea Racing Authority, stated, "I hope the history of Busan and Gyeongnam, which has grown alongside horses, and the legacy of Busan horse racing will instill pride in our citizens. I want to record and share with citizens the achievements made possible by the horses, horse racing professionals, and customers who have passed through Let's Run Park over the past 20 years."
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