Oasis Blue produced a performance of consummate control and maturity to dominate the KRA Cup Mile (1600M KOR-G2), the first leg of the 2025 Korean Triple Crown, at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Fully justifying his 2.8 favourite status, Oasis Blue was ridden patiently in the early stages by jockey Jin Kyum, before letting down in the home straight and the Busan Classic Trial winner pulled away for a comfortable four-length victory in the opening jewel of the crown.

“I didn’t really have to do much; he is so straightforward” winning jockey Jin Kyum told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “The stable prepared him really well, I am grateful for the opportunity and happy to repay their trust in me.”

Getting the closest was Thomas Gillespie’s My Dream Day, who as a 38.0 chance ran on under Alan Munro. Another outsider, Yongbi Paewang, ridden by Masa Tanaka, was 3^rd. However, pre-race fancies Long Run Bulpae and Gangnaru, as well as Oasis Blue’s stablemate Beolmaui Ace, made little impact.

“These are three-year-olds, the other horses will continue to make progress, but I think Oasis Blue has potential for more too” jockey Jin continued. “The next race (Korean Derby) we know the increased distance is no problem so if he remains well, then he has a big chance of winning again.”

For the 30-year-old jockey Jin, it was a first Graded Stakes win but for trainer Baik Kwang-yeol it was familiar territory, saddling his eighth Graded winner and second in this race after Betelgeuse scored two years ago for the same owner as Oasis Blue, Lee Jong-hun. According to the trainer, it was one of his simplest.

“Although (Oasis Blue) is only three, he is a very relaxed horse, he can settle into a rhythm and pace that is very mature for his age” said Baik, speaking to KRBC. “He is a gentle horse in the stable, so he is easy to manage and train and he is an easy ride. If he continues to make the progress he has so far, then he has a very big future.”

“The owner is very good; he trusts us completely and I have complete trust in the jockey, so I am in a very lucky position as Trainer. The next race is the Derby, we’ll prepare well and see what happens.”

There is much cause for optimism. Oasis Blue has already won over the Derby distance of 1800M and is now set to be a hot favourite when the division reconvenes in Seoul on Sunday May 11^th for the Korean Derby (1800M KOR-G1).

Oasis Blue is by KRA stallion Uncaptured and is out of Saena (by Peace Rules). He was bred by Lee Nam-il at Pyeongdae Farm and was purchased by owner Lee Jong-hun for 69 Million Korean Won at the November 2023 Korea Breeders’ Association Sale. The win moves him on to five wins from eight starts – he also crossed the line 1^st in the Listed Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy last October only to be disqualified for an incident early in the race.

Next week the focus shifts to the Road to September’s International Korea Sprint and the second leg of the Sprint Series, the SBS Sports Sprint (1200M KOR-G3) at Seoul on Sunday afternoon.