SEE HERE FOR FULL RACE-BY-RACE PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN
There is something of a changing of the guard in the filly and mare ranks as the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer Series kicks off with the Donga Ilbo (1800M KOR-Listed) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.
While defending champion GLADIUS returns, the likes of Jeulgeounyeojeong and Wonderful Slew, who have dominated the top of the division over the past couple of years, are not here and a new set of up and comers could be set to take over.
ACE HIGH is set to be the favourite. She rounded out her three-year-old campaign by winning the Breeders’ Cup Queen and then began this year with a strong class 1 win at this distance and the Ha Mu-seon trained Busan raider can take some beating.
She isn’t the only four-year-old taking her chance. ONEULDO SMILE was 2nd in last year’s Korean Oaks while BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN was the fast-finishing winner of both the final leg of the Triple Tiara and also the Jeju Governor’s Cup. Meanwhile FANTASTIC VALUE won both the Luna Stakes and the Korean Oaks and hinted at a return to form with a 2nd place in her latest start at class 2 level.
A host of other up and coming four-year-old fillies also step up and with many of them front-runners, the pace could be hot.
Aside from Gladius, RAON FOREST represents the older generation. While the only six-year-old in the race is only a winner of six of her thirty starts, three of those victories have come at class 1 level against the boys and she has been a Queens’ Tour mainstay, winning the final leg of this series last June.
The Donga Ilbo is race 7 on the card at Seoul with a local post time of 15:40.
1. SATANG SONYEO –A winner of five from twelve, including twice at this distance, she has lost her way a little of late, albeit in very tough company – 10th of sixteen in the Grand Prix as a three-year-old filly isn’t bad. Interesting outsider, who can lead or come from behind.
2. RAON FOREST – 4th in this race last year, she recorded 5th, 3rd and 4th in the three legs of the Queens’ Tour Fall-Winter, so has form to overturn on a few of these. Enters off a class 1 3rd over 2000M when closer to the pace than usual. Nicely drawn and can be in the finish.
3. CLAIR BIG BANG – Five wins from eight including two at this distance. She is though yet to win at higher than class 4 with her latest outing being 2nd place at class 3 over 1800M when on pace. This is a big step up, but she has potential.
4. GLADIUS – The defending champion, who was three-length winner a year ago, hasn’t won in five starts since but was 2nd in the Breeders’ Cup Queen behind Ace High. She’s not raced since but has looked well in two trials over the past month and is a big chance.
5. ONEULDO SMILE – Yet to finish outside the top three with six wins among nine starts, she was 2nd to Fantastic Value in last year’s Korean Oaks, beaten five-lengths. That was her only experience of 1800M, but she was an impressive winner over 1400M at class 2 level at the end of January. Will be on pace and can win.
6. BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN – A super winner of the final leg of the Triple Tiara, she then produced a phenomenal late burst to get past Gladius and Jeulgeounyeojeong in the Jeju Governor’s Cup over 1400M in October. Won a trial at the start of this month, if there is pace to run at, she will be coming on strong late. When she has the race run to suit, she can be spectacular.
7. PURGE STEP – Four wins from eight including her latest two, both at 1700M and both at class 4 from the front. Big step up in caliber of opposition and could be one for later in the series, rather than today.
8. FANTASTIC VALUE – She won the Luna Stakes and Korean Oaks and was long odds-on to sweep the Tiara before Boryeonglightqueen put paid to that. She hasn’t won since and was well back in the Breeders’ Cup Queen. Hinted at a return to form with a close 2nd over 1400M at class 2 level on February 8th and a return to Seoul can be beneficial. Chance.
9. CHRYSOL STONE – Four wins from six starts, most recently over this distance on February 15th when leading all the way at class 4 level. Big step up in quality of opposition but another with potential.
10. INDY GHOST – A five-time winner at 1800M, she has earned her chance in elite company. She has only won up to class 3 level but wasn’t disgraced behind the likes of Young Skywalker and Oasis Red on her first try at class 2 and can aim for minor money.
11. FLYING STAR – Won the Breeders’ Cup Queen in 2024 and returned to winning ways when scoring at 2000M in the G3 Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup over plenty of these last October. That meant she was favourite for the Breeders’ Cup Queen, but she was only 6th and struggled at class 1 over this distance on February. An enigma but at her best can win.
12. ECLIPSE BERRY – Korean Oaks winner in 2024 despite Moon Se-young dropping his crop. She missed over a year before returning in November 2025, winning third-up on January 24th at class 2 over a mile, leading all the way. She is two for two at 1800M, and while her draw is not ideal, she will be in the frame.
13. ACE HIGH – Runner-up to Flying Star in the G3 Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup before winning the Breeders; Cup Queen in November and then backed up that form, making all to score at class 1 over this distance on January 25th, albeit under a very light weight. Her recent form is the most convincing and even with the wide draw, she is the probable betting favourite.
14. GEOLJAK ONE – Has a very solid record at this distance with two wins from five attempts but enters here out of form and will be one of the longest shots on the board.
| Selections | (5) Oneuldo Smile (13) Ace High (6) Boryeonglightqueen (2) Raon Forest |
| Next Best | 4, 8 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 7, 9, 12 |
Horse Racing in Korea 