Sunday sees the second leg of the 2026 Sprint Series with the SBS Sports Sprint (1200M KOR-G3) at Seoul. Meanwhile at Busan there are six international trophy exchange races. There are 10 races at Seoul from 10.35 to 17.55 and 7 at Busan from 11.25 to 17.55. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(5) GANGHAN GAMMA has made steady progress across three starts so far culminating in 2nd place in a filly only race over this distance on March 14th beaten seven-lengths by Breedo Aqua. She can settle behind the speed here and should prove too strong late on. (3) RACE DIVA was 6th behind Ganghan Gamma in that March 14th race. That was a slight improvement from her debut and from a much better gate she can continue to get better here. (9) BEST THE ON ran three times last autumn with a best of 2nd over this distance. He hasn’t raced since November but looked well enough in a March trial and can be in this first-up. Debut maker (2) VINCENT KATHY went through two trials, winning the second of them. She draws very nicely to be on pace and can put in a bold showing. (11) DONGBAEK among the other place chances.
| Selections | (5) Ganghan Gamma (3) Race Diva (9) Best The On (2) Vincent Kathy |
| Next Best | 11, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 8, 7 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Not the strongest of maidens. (2) SAENAE RANIA came from a wide gate to lead on what was her first try at this distance on March 8th and ultimately finished a solid 3rd. This race is no harder and from a much better draw, she can win. (5) SANGIM YEONGUNG has four top four finishes from five starts with his best being a close 2nd to Saenae Fighter at start two last November. He can get a bit far back in his races, but he can finish strongly and be a danger late here. (6) GEOSEN MUJEOK was ridden a bit further forward on his first try at this distance on March 22nd and finished a fair 5th. With similar tactics here, he can get closer. (3) NICE WINNER and (7) YONGBIGYO are the other main chances.
| Selections | (2) Saenae Rania (5) Sangim Yeongung (6) Geosen Mujeok (3) Nice Winner |
| Next Best | 7, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 6, 7 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / “New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Trophy” / KRW 30 Million
Interesting maiden to open things on the south coast and (3) OASIS GIJEOK gets the nod. He raced three times last year for a best of 3rd and then didn’t reappear for another six months. His return on March 13th saw him beat a couple of today’s rivals on his way to 2nd place at 1200M and stripping fitter for that run, he can go one better today. The main danger could well be the debut maker one gate to his inside. (2) FLASH COCO first trialed in October of 2024 but never made it to the races after a chip fracture and several other setbacks. Her owner/breeder has persevered though and she looked good when 2nd in a trial in March showing handy throughout. From a good draw, she can make an immediate impact. (7) RESPECTING GIRL was an improved 4th behind Oasis Gijeok on March 13th and can continue to make progress here. (1) POWERFUL RUBY and (5) SKY BOY others in the frame.
| Selections | (3) Oasis Gijeok (2) Flash Coco (7) Respecting Girl (1) Powerful Ruby |
| Next Best | 5, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(4) SAMJOGO led early in the Listed Sports Seoul on March 1st before being overwhelmed late and finishing a well beaten last. Prior to that he was an all the way winner at this class over 1300M and returning to shallower waters today, he can return to winning ways. (9) KOREAN DREAM enters off a close 2nd place at this class and distance on March 21st when handy throughout. In this company he should be on pace, and he shapes as a big rival. (1) STAY BIG was a 60/1 winner at this class over 1400M on March 8th, coming from off the pace. He only comes up 1kg in weight and warrants significantly more respect this time. (11) RAON NIZHINSKII and (6) SAHARAMOND among other place chances.
| Selections | (4) Samjogo (9) Korean Dream (1) Stay Big (11) Raon Nizhinski |
| Next Best | 6, 2 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 7, 9 |
Busan Race 2: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / “Royal Western India Turf Club Trophy” / KRW 60 Million
(3) BUNKER BUSTER has won two of four so far with his others ending in 2nd and 3rd. He is up in class having scored over 1400M on March 15th when he led all the way around and while he was 3rd on his only previous try at this distance, he draws well to lead again, and he will take some beating. (2) DOCTOR CITY and (9) GRAND MORE came home in 2nd and 3rd place respectively when they raced each other at this class and distance on March 6th. The draw here is more favourable to Doctor City although he comes up 1.5kg. Both have ever chance of being in the finish again. (11) NAKDONG MYEONGJAK returns to action for the first time since last November. She has won at this trip, and she looked well enough in a March trial to suggest she can put in a good effort here. (8) BREEDO MIRACLE another firmly in the frame.
| Selections | (3) Bunker Buster (2) Doctor City (9) Grand More (11) Nakdong Myeongjak |
| Next Best | 8, 5 |
| Fast Start | 4, 7, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(4) PNS TWIN has made steady progress across four starts so far, culminating in 2nd place when stepped up to this distance for the first time on March 29th when handy throughout. The two-turns seemed to suit, and he’s favoured to make his breakthrough here. (3) YEOMYEONGUI SUNGAN is a thirteen-start maiden but enters in her best form to date with a 2nd and a 4th from her latest two. Both of those have been over 1700M and she can continue her positive run of results today. (10) TOUR KING was an improved 2nd at this distance on February 28th having led for much of the way. It won’t be easy to get to the front from the wide draw but if he can get forward, he can be in the finish again. (5) PRIMERO and (7) POWERFUL ARCTIC others who can trouble the scorers.
| Selections | (4) PNS Twin (3) Yeomyeongui Sungan (10) Tour King (5) Primero |
| Next Best | 7, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 8, 10 |
Busan Race 3: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / “Tokyo City Keiba Trophy” / KRW 60 Million
Competitive race. (6) MUJEOKYI got his maiden win over 1200M two starts back racing on pace and in addition to that, has five runner-up finishes among his nine total starts, most recently on his first try at this class over 1300M. A previous run at this distance finished in 2nd (of course it did) but he can come out on top here, from the front. If he does manage to find one too quick (and he might), the main contender is (2) HEAVY DUTY. He too enjoys just missing out with four and places and two 3rd places from his last six. He sole win did come at this trip though and he will be close again. (10) GYEONGBOK STREGA is an import who started at this level, and he has made solid progress across three starts so far, most recently 2nd at 1200M on March 1st. The step up in trip can suit. (4) CHAMP SONNY and (3) BEOLGYO WANGCHO others in the hunt.
| Selections | (6) Mujeokyi (2) Heavy Duty (10) Gyeongbok Strega (4) Champ Sonny |
| Next Best | 3, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 6, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) FLYING HONOR ran 4th on debut and then won at start number two over this distance on March 7th when showing close to the pace throughout. He comes up in class here and while he only gets a 1kg weight drop, he draws nicely and he can measure up. (3) RAPID THUNDER has finished 2nd as favourite in both starts so far, most recently almost leading all the way over 1300M on March 7th. She’s up in class but down in weight and can lead again. She’ll need to overturn the form on (5) SSOARA HAHA, who did nothing in his first two outings but after going back to trial, returned to win at big odds in that March 7th, settling midfield and running on well and he can be respected here. (4) ECLIPSE BOSS beat Flying Honor when winning in January and can be close. (7) DONGGANUI STAR is the other one who will be in the market.
| Selections | (2) Flying Honor (3) Rapid Thunder (5) Ssoara Haha (4) Eclipse Boss |
| Next Best | 7, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 4, 5 |
Busan Race 4: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / “Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy” / KRW 75 Million
(1) ARI DRAGON comes in having won her latest two over 1300M and 1400M, settling handy and running on strongly on both occasions. She’s never finished outside of the top two and while she is up in class and distance here, she is down in weight, and she can make it three in a row. (5) WONDERFUL JONES beat plenty of these on his way to a class and distance win on February 6th before being a beaten favourite on March 15th when getting a bit far back before running onto 4th. He carries 3.5kg more than at his February win, but he is a big danger. (2) VERLUC ran 3rd to Wonderful Groom’s 4th on March 15th and was one of those beaten by him in February. The veteran rarely runs a bad race and while he doesn’t geta n apprentice claim here he can be running into some money late. (6) BLACK VOLT and (9) SKY JILJU are other chances.
| Selections | (1) Ari Dragon (5) Wonderful Jones (2) Verluc (6) Black Volt |
| Next Best | 9, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 6, 12 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Tricky one. (7) HOLY KAISER was somewhat unexpected winner at this class over 1300M on arch 2nd when settling midfield and running on. Two previous tries at this trip have only yielded a best of 4th place and he is up 2.5kg in weight, but he can win again. (10) START UP was a winner on debut over 1000M and has a 2nd and a 4th among three tries at this class with the latter coming on his first try at this distance on March 8th. Despite the wide draw, he should have enough about him to get on the pace, and he has as much chance as any. (4) BLAZING ENGINE is up in class having led all the way to register his maiden win over 1300M on March 14th. He tackles the 1400M for the first time as well and down in weight and nicely drawn, he can be competitive. (3) GEOSEN PUNCH and (5) ALL FOR YOUR DREAM are other place chances.
| Selections | (7) Holy Kaiser (10) Start Up (4) Blazing Engine (3) Geosen Punch |
| Next Best | 5, 11 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 10, 11 |
Busan Race 5: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / “China Horse Industry Association Trophy” / KRW 75 Million
After an ordinary debut, (2) SKYLOR JIYOU has been no worse than 4th in five subsequent outings and won back-to-back races in December and January over a mile and over 1800M. He enters following a 2nd place at 1800M on February 15th and while he is running out of class here – he is class 4 eligible – that means he gets a big weight break, and he can be close. (8) RAON THE MASKE beat three of today’s rivals on his way to 2nd place at this class and distance on March 15th, showing on pace throughout. The mile seems very much his go, and he can be a danger. (5) JULGEOUN DONGHANG was 5th int hat race but was a winner over the trip two starts back and is worth another chance today. (3) MAX THE DRAGON and (10) BEOLMA BROWN others in the placing frame.
| Selections | (2) Skylor Jiyou (8) Raon The Maske (5) Julgeoun Donghang (3) Max The Dragon |
| Next Best | 10, 11 |
| Fast Start | 6, 7, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 7: Class Open (1200M) Weight for Age / “SBS Sports Sprint (KOR G3) / KRA 500 Million
The second leg of the Sprint Series and defending champion (10) VINCERO CAVALLO is the one to beat. He swept all three legs of the series a year ago and while his form tapered off in the latter half of 2025, he roared back from over four months off to comfortably win the Busan Ilbo on March 8th, settling behind the speed and dominating late. The draw is less favourable here but on that effort, he is hard to oppose. (1) BORN DIA was 4th in the Busan Ilbo having led. From the inside gate, she can lead again and the 2kg mare allowance can serve her well in the latter stages. (9) WINNER CLEAR was sent off as the favourite for the Busan Ilbo having won the KRA Sprint (Yeongnam) in November and then at class 1 in January – beating Born Dia – both over this distance. He ran well for 2nd and if he can get the jump on Vincero Cavallo, he can run him close. (8) MAGIC POTION and (14) BLACK MUSK other chances.
| Selections | (10) Vincero Cavallo (1) Born Dia (9) Winner Clear (8) Magic Potion |
| Next Best | 14, 15 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 7, 8, 12 |
Busan Race 6: Class Open (1600M) Special Weight A / “TJK Trophy” / KRW 150 Million
Class Open but equivalent to class 2. (9) BEOLGYO MASULSA went up to Seoul for a try in the G3 Herald Business a month ago and he didn’t go too badly, finishing 7th of twelve behind Clean One, Success Baekpa, Gangpungma, Speed Young et.al. Instead of going back to reoppose in the YTN Cup next week, he goes here instead and on his back-to-back class 3 wins over 1800M in January, he is the one to beat. (6) DOCTOR CAPTAIN has class 1 experience and enters off 3rd and 4th places at class 2 over 2000M and 1800M. He has won twice over the mile and is nicely in at this set weight contest. (3) NICE BUDDY is a winner of five from ten and should be in the mix here. (4) AIR CITY and (1) GREAT BOY others who could challenge for the places.
| Selections | (9) Beolgyo Masulsa (6) Doctor Captain (3) Nice Buddy (4) Air City |
| Next Best | 1, 2 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 5, 8 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (6) LADY FOX is a two-time winner at this class, most recently over this distance on March 7th when she came from a long way back to score and beat a couple of today’s rivals in the process. She comes up 3kg in weight today, but Maia stays on and she has a great chance of going back-to-back. (5) EXCELLENT MATTA was 2nd in that race, just half a length in arrears having been on pace for most of the race. She inly comes up 1.5kg and can challenge again. (9) AMAZING ROCK has won at this distance and is perhaps creeping back into form with a 6th and a 4th from her latest two. She carries a light weight and likes to come from off the pace. (3) POWER BAND and (8) SINUI BANJEON perhaps the best of the rest.
| Selections | (6) Lady Fox (5) Excellent Matta (9) Amazing Rock (3) Power Band |
| Next Best | 8, 7 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 5, 8 |
Busan Race 7: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (2) VICTORIA CHUKJE got her maiden win at start four over 1300 on March 15th, settling further forward than she had in her previous three and then running on. She is up in class and while she doesn’t get a weight break, the additional half furlong can suit, and she can win again. (6) BIG STAR was away badly and always trying to play catch-up last time out. She was a winner three outings back over this distance and then 4th on her first try at this level so she warrants another chance today. (3) YURIM ACE is yet to finish in the top two in five appearances but has three 3rd places and can be there or thereabouts again. (11) MUSKET GIRL and (9) GEUMA REJOICE are the other main chances.
| Selections | (2) Victoria Chukje (6) Big Star (3) Yurim Ace (11) Musket Girl |
| Next Best | 9, 12 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 9 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 2 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
(9) ECLIPSE THE KING was 3rd in last year’s Korean Derby and again in Listed company at this distance in September. He hasn’t raced since running 3rd when sent off as odds-on favourite at this class and distance at the start of last November, as he went lame a month later. He has been back in work since the end of February and looked good winning a March trial. 1800M is a hard ask first up, but he can be equal to it. (6) WONDERFUL NORTHERN has been racing at 2000M recently with fair results. He drops back to a trip at which he has three wins, and two runner-up finishes from six tries and while he carries his fair share of weight, he is a big danger. (4) CHOEGO GAME enters off a class and distance 5th when beating a couple of today’s rivals on March 14th on what was his first try at 1800M and can aim to get closer today. (10) UMAPOY and (8) MYEONGSEONG CHUKJE Others in the frame.
| Selections | (9) Eclipse The King (6) Wonderful Northern (4) Choego Game (10) Umapoy |
| Next Best | 8, 11 |
| Fast Start | 6, 9, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(7) CRAZY STAR has mixed his form across his seen starts but enters off a strong 2nd place behind Rooftop at this class and distance on March 22nd when he led for most of the way. He can lead again here and this time go one better. (2) RAON THE AFFIRMED was an emphatic eleven-length winner over this trip on February when scoring from gate to wire. She is up in class here but draws very nicely and the manner of that win means she needs to be taken seriously. (11) PASA KING was a winner of five from eight, including four on the spin up to last July. He hasn’t raced since although he has been in and out of work. He trialed in March, winning his heat, and his talent isn’t to be overlooked. (8) ROYAL SOCKS and (6) MOVING VOLCANO, both up in class, are others in the hunt.
| Selections | (7) Crazy Star (2) Raon The Affirmed (11) Pasa King (8) Royal Socks |
| Next Best | 6, 3 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 7, 8 |
Horse Racing in Korea 