It’s been more than two months since the Grand Prix Stakes rounded off the 2025 Korean black type calendar, but big races are finally back as the 2026 season gets underway in earnest at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday with the Segye Ilbo Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed).
SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN ON SUNDAY
Remarkably a horse who ran in that Grand Prix which, at 2300M, is Korea’s longest race, is back to sprinting in the Segye Ilbo. And it’s none other than reigning Horse of the Year SPEED YOUNG. He may have won the President’s Cup (2000M KOR-G1) and then been 3rd in the Grand Prix but he started last year with 3rd place in this very same race. Known as the “Swiss Army Knife horse”, such is his versatility that he may well be sent off as favourite.
To win though, Speed Young will have to get past last year’s winner, CROWN HAMSEONG. The filly is first-up after almost three months off and has a lot of early speed. If CC Wong can get her into the lead, she may well go all the way. Kookje Shinmun (1400M KOR-G3) winner MUNHAK BOY has won his latest six and will be on pace too with strong claims.
SUPER FINISH was the best locally placed finisher in the Korea Sprint (1200 G3) last September and is not to be discounted while BEST RACE is an up and comer who has won his latest four and tests elite waters for the first time. Impressive last start winner YEONGGWANGUI WORLD rounds out those likely to be at the top of the market.
While the race is restricted to Korean-bred runners, there is plenty of ability – not to mention speed – among the fifteen-strong field:
1. SUPER FINISH – 3rd to Self Improvement and Chikappa in last year’s International Korea Sprint, he was most recently 3rd to Yeonggwangui World in a very quick class 1 over this trip in December. If he gets to the lead, he is a chance.
2. SPEED YOUNG – The reigning Horse of the Year was 3rd in this race a year ago before spending the rest of 2025 in the very best distance races, running 4th in the Korea Cup, winning the President’s Cup and then 3rd in the Grand Prix. He has never won at 1200M, but he is competent over any distance and will probably start as favourite.
3. MUNHAK BOY – Enters having won his last six, most recently the G3 Kookje Shinmun over 1400M at Busan. That distance and a mile would appear to be his go and if the pace is on, this may prove too sharp, but there is no doubting his quality and he is a big chance.
4. YEONGGWANGUI WORLD – 6th in this race last year but struggled in the opening leg of the Sprint Series. Ended 2025 in strong fashion with a blistering class 1 win at this distance in a Korea Sprint time. Races on pace and if he brings that form, he can win.
5. HAKSAN SPEED – Five-time winner at this distance although only up to class 2 level. Races on pace and while he will need to go much quicker here, he still has plenty more scope for development.
6. CROWN HAMSEONG – Last year’s winner, she followed up with 2nd places in two Queens’ Tour legs and behind Vincero Cavallo in the G2 SROA at this distance. Last raced 4th at class 1 level over a mile in November and trialed well last month. Another who likes to lead and a repeat isn’t impossible if she does.
7. TOUGH MAN – The veteran has been well back in his latest two, a Trophy race on international weekend, and then the KRA Sprint at Seoul on Grand Prix day. Big outsider.
8. MIRACLE HANGANG – 5th in the KRA Sprint at Seoul on Grand Prix day, and 4th behind Haksan Speed in his latest on January 17th. Solid class 2 horse but likely overmatched here.
9. CONTROLLER – Six-time winner at this distance to class 2 level but missed eight months last year. 7th on his return in November, he was 3rd at class 1 over this distance at Busan in January. Can be nice and fit for this but a big ask.
10. SILVER RAIN – 2nd to Best Race in the SPP Trophy at this distance on international weekend and finished in the same spot in the KRA Sprint at Seoul in November. Can race from on pace or settle back and run on but he will be a long shot to maintain his record of always having at least placed over this distance.
11. LEEWOLMA – Plenty of class 1 experience and a three-time winner at this distance, but recent form has been cold, and he would need a serious uptick to challenge here.
12. DAESARI – Has won three trials since he last raced in November. His form going into that layoff wasn’t convincing and he is among the longer shots here.
13. ZIGGURAT – Listed winner over 1800M last September and scored at class 1 over 1400M on January 18th, coming from well back. In the best form of his career with three wins from his last four, but this is a step up in terms of opposition.
14. BEOLMA KING – Has won his latest two, most recently at this distance, settling midfield and running on. That was at class 3 level though and this is a huge ask.
15. BEST RACE – Won the SPP Trophy over this distance on international weekend last September and is four unbeaten since he found Sprinting was more to his liking after running in the Triple Crown races. Has the challenge of the widest gate but he looks a real short distance talent and he is a chance.
| Selections | (3) Munhak Boy (6) Crown Hamseong (2) Speed Young (15) Best Race |
| Next Best | 1, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
Horse Racing in Korea 