Geudaemaniddamyeon ground down Wonpyeong Sket to claim victory in the Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy (1200M Listed) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon and in the process establish himself as the capital track’s top imported juvenile and one of its most exciting prospects for next year.
After running 2nd on debut, Geudaemaniddamyeon was a comprehensive winner at start number two over 1200M and that led him to be sent off as the favourite for what is the biggest juvenile race at Seoul open to imported youngsters.
Second favourite Wonpyeong Sket, the only Korean bred in the race and one of only two fillies, bounded out of gate six into an early lead under Ruan Maia and seemed poised to go all the way until Geudaemaniddamyeon and CC Wong swept by late to score in the final few strides. My Empire, a Classic Empire colt, was two-lengths back in 3rd.
For Wonpyeong Sket it marked three times in a row in Listed Juvenile races that she has led, only to be overhauled late on, having suffered the same fate at the hands of Mujehan Geup in the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy and Chief Star in the NACF Chairman’s Trophy. Connections decisions to swerve next week’s G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie, where the Musket Man filly would likely have met both of those two again, were probably vindicated.
It was CC Wong’s third Listed success in Korea, following on from Crown Hamseong and Chan Famous earlier in the year. Geudaemaniddamyeon brought up 70 Korean winners in total for the former Singapore based hoop.
Trainer Choi Yong-geon was winning his first Listed or Graded race in his own name, since becoming licensed in 2020 after a long career as an assistant. He was as ever reserved when talking with KRBC after the race. “My heart is ready to burst; I haven’t felt such a thrilling feeling in a long time” he enthused. “I want to thank my very good friend (owner Woo Tae-yul) for trusting us with him and for giving him such a great name.”
Owner Woo is known for giving his horses wistful and melancholic names and Geudaemanuiddamyeon, a name never likely to be beloved by race callers, roughly translates into English as “If only you were here now”.
“We try to win every race, and every win is meaningful” Choi continued. “But I was wondering when I would win my first Trophy. (Geudaemaniddamyeon) only came in to us during the summer, he is a tall horse, and he has a big build and hasn’t been straightforward. Because he is growing into (his frame) we have had to monitor him closely. The team has worked hard and been rewarded.”
As for the future: “We’ll do our best to make him a star.”
As the trainer noted, Geudaemaniddamyeon [Tacitus – Annies Law (by Harlan’s Holiday)] was a relatively late arrival to Korea. He was purchased out of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales 2025 March 2yo in Training Sale earlier this year for $100,000. He is owned by Woo Tae-yul and trained by Choi Yong-geon.
Busan was scheduled to run its own race for imported juveniles but didn’t attract enough entries for it to go ahead. However, a full field of sixteen is expected on the south coast next Sunday for the Breeders’ Cup Rookie (1400M KOR-G2) which will decide the title of Champion Korean bred Juvenile.
Horse Racing in Korea 