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RAMPANT ROSHE ROMPS OWNERS’ CUP AND GOES SIX FOR SIX

A devastating kick in the early part of the home straight saw Roshe escape his rivals and establish himself as a serious force in Korean racing as the three-year-old was an eased down ten-length winner of the Owners’ Cup (1600M KOR-G3) at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Roshe (Pic: KRA)

Entering the race sporting a perfect five-from-five, the Song Sang-hyeon-trained three-year-old was sent off as the prohibitive 1.3 favourite, but the youngest horse in the race made that feel generous as after settling midfield under jockey Jang Chu-youl, he motored away from the field between the two and one furlong poles, putting the race to bed as a contest.

Such was the dominance of Roshe, it scarcely mattered who was behind him although the results pages will show that Best Race was 2nd and the veteran Star Matta was 3rd. True, neither they nor the thirteen others who made up the numbers here, could be considered truly elite opposition, but Roshe has made his statement.

Not that trainer Song Sang-hyeon was getting excited, agreeing with the former point rather than the latter. Song is just coming up to one year as a licensed trainer and with this his stable’s fourteenth winner, Roshe now accounts for six of them: “Roshe is a young horse, he was a bit exhausted after the journey (from Seoul). Yes, he won overwhelmingly but if you look at the race, compared to previous Owners’ Cups, it’s not exactly a strong field, is it?”

“So, if this guy (Roshe) wants to deal with truly outstanding horses in future, we have to get better in all aspects of training and get everything right. We’ll probably give him a rest for a couple of months now and then plan his future. Maybe he runs once or twice again this year.”

Owner Park Jae-yong, standing alongside the trainer added: “There are lots of horses that are good at two or three but don’t really make it in the same form to four or five-years-old, if they run at all. I see too many get injured before they can fulfil their potential, so we are going to take it slow. I thought long and hard before entering him in this Owners’ Cup because it wasn’t originally part of the plan. The real competition for him starts at four, let’s not push him too hard at three.”

Disappointing words perhaps for those who in the immediate aftermath of the race were debating whether Roshe would best suit a Korea Cup or Korea Sprint starting gate in September.

“When I saw his odds, I felt a bit of pressure” winning jockey Jang Chu-youl told KRBC. “But he is such a good horse, I thought let’s just get on with it.” As for tactics: “I didn’t really want to go to the lead as I thought the pace would be hot so I was happy to settle where we did, but the horse has such a good stride and just wants to run so I let him go and was able to ease him down at the end. It felt really good.”

Roshe is an American-bred three-year old by Rogueish and out of Hillary D (by Bellamy Road. He was a $10,000 purchase by K.O.I.D at the 2025 OBS Spring Sale and arrived in Korea two months later. He wasn’t straightforward though and there were plenty of setbacks before he debuted in October with a two-and-a-half length score over fellow imported maidens.

Prior to Sunday, his biggest win came over fellow three-year-olds in the Listed Sports Seoul over 1400M in March. He is yet to tackle further than a mile, but on the Owners’ Cup evidence, that should be well within his capabilities.

The calm words today from Roshe’s trainer contrast with what he said after that Sports Seoul victory when he commented that he could target emulating the achievement of Clean One in winning the Grand Prix at age three. There are no Stakes races for the next couple of weeks but Clean One himself should be action when they do resume with the KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) at Seoul on Sunday July 26th, the main lead up race for September’s International Korea Cup.

KOREA RACING REPORT: JUNE 19-21

IT WAS A STAKELESS SUNDAY IN KOREA FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOUR MONTHS BUT THERE WAS A NAMED FEATURE ON THE CARD IN SEOUL AND THE 15TH SPORTS DONG-A CUP WAS WON BY ROYAL SOCKS under apprentice Kwon Jung-seok (writes Luke Humphreys).

However, the main talking point of the race was the late scratching of Di Ne, one of the country’s top three-year-old’s, his subsequent stand down from racing for twelve months. He did not look right on the way down to the start and was eventually withdrawn and a post-race physical examination found him to have a bowed tendon.

Whilst this year’s Korean three-year-old crop has produced some fine performances from the likes of Roshe, Hwang Geum Eo Jang, Funny Wild and Clearly Winner it has lost plenty of spark. Supex Winner sadly had to be put down after suffering a ligament and sesamoid injury in the week leading up to the KRA Cup Mile, whilst Geudaemaniddamyeon fractured a cannon bone whilst preparing for the YTN Cup. Di Ne, like Geudaemaniddamyeon, will no longer be seen in his three-year-old campaign.

This left Royal Socks (Hansen) to run the 2.0 favourite and he led for most of the way to score by four-lengths. He recorded his sixth career victory at start eleven and will now be up to Class 2 grade. Baro Danaeun was the other favourite, 2.7, but just like she did when last seen in the G2 Ttukseom Cup she finished 7th.

Royal Socks completed a riding double for Kwon Jung-seok after landing Race 2 (1700M Class 6) on the 3.8 favourite THE SUN COMING (Cowboy Cal) which after racing on pace won by four-lengths and was breaking through at the eighth time of asking. It also was part of a treble for trainer Kang Sung-o after success with BLACK SIDAE (Chrysolite) who won Race 6 (1800M Class 4) by an extending eight-lengths as the 5.2 second favourite before FEDAYKIN (Audible) proved too strong in Race 10 (1200M Class 4) running away late to score by one-and-a-half lengths as the 3.5 favourite.

Black Sidae was beating the 1.8 odds-on chance Ghost Chrysol into 2nd place in what was a slowly run race. Jockey Jo Jae-ro and Black Sidae put some pace into the race when taking off at the end of the back straight and they were never caught. Fedaykin broke through at the third time of asking after a 6th on debut in April before a 3rd in May.

Race 9 (1600M Class 2) was the highest graded race on the day, and SUPREME SOCKS (Flameaway) got the prize by a neck for Johan Victoire and Luigi Riccardi. The race was primarily dominated by the favourites with Tap Tier, 3.1, coming from a long last to run 2nd over Jeongsang Ace, 8.7, in 3rd with Useung Concord, 4.2, in 4th. Ace K, 5.8, was disappointing for the third consecutive time at Class 2 grade as he ran a long last of the nine runners.

Race 8 (1400M Class 3) was one of the more competitive races on the card and it saw TOHOMARKET (Revolutionary) get up late on to score by a half-length at odds of 29.6 over 15.5 chance Nano Masin with 7.1 fourth choice Cheonmahoryeong at her second 1400M attempt once again just getting caught in the closing stages finishing 3rd after leading. The other favourites were Magic Strong, 7.7, who was 6th, Navy Captain, 6.2, who finished 7th whilst the main two in the market Teukgeup Party, 4.1, and Free The One, 5.2, were 8th and 10th in the eleven strong field. The consistent Teukgeup Party produced the worst run of her career whilst Free The One, whose best form has seen him place behind Roshe at black type level, was disappointing for the second straight start.

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SUNRISE SHINES OVER CATCH RACE IN TIARA FINALE

For the first time in five years, a different filly has won each individual jewel of the Triple Tiara as Sunrise got the better of Korean Oaks winner Catch Race in a final furlong duel, to win the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Sunrise bests Catch Race (Pic: KRA)

With Luna Stakes victor Clearly Winner skipping the race, Catch Race, who had got the better of her in a desperately close finish to the Oaks, was sent off as the 1.7 odds-on favourite for the final and longest test of the Tiara.

After early pacesetters Chief Star, Daebi Mama and Wild Magic gave way, Catch Race and jockey Seo Seung-un assumed the lead inside the home straight and looked set to go on score. But Under Jung Do-yun, Sunrise, who at 8.9 hadn’t exactly been missed by the market following her Oaks 4th place, loomed up from midfield and went by late to win by half a length on the line. A full six-lengths behind the first pair, Tiger Roar closed for 3rd.

It was a redemption of sorts for jockey Jung, who just a week ago had been demoted from 2nd to 3rd on Breedo Sol in the Minister’s Cup, the final leg of the colts’ Triple Crown. Not that he dwelt on that:

“It was the first time I had ridden (Sunrise) in a race” Jung Do-yun told KRBC. “But I rode her in training a few times and while there are always going to be a lot of variables in the final leg of the Tiara, I did think we had a good chance.”

“When she ran in the Oaks, she hadn’t previously gone any further than 1300M but as this was the second time, I thought she would come on for it and with only ten runners the positioning would be easier. It went exactly as planned and I felt the further we went, the stronger she got.”

(Pic: KRA)

Sunrise is trained at Busan by Ha Mu-seon and runs in the colours of owner Kim Geun-young. By Gemologist, she is out of Sun Crest (by Arch), who also did her racing in Korea, winning one of twenty-three starts.

“I felt really good coming in” winning trainer Ha Mu-seon said. “Sunrise really has no weaknesses, and I expected it to come down to her and Catch Race with our filly having a very good chance of winning.”

“As a stable, we won our first big race in the Breeders’ Cup Queen (with Ace High) last November so it’s good to carry that momentum forward and win today.”

Seo In-seok, trainer of Catch Race, wasn’t too downbeat. “I was hopeful for today, I don’t think she ran badly but Sunrise just ran a little bit harder. Running in these (Triple Tiara) races in three consecutive months isn’t easy so she will have a rest, and I think we will see her in some big races again.”

With a win and two placings from the three races, Catch Race is the comfortable winner of the Series in terms of points with Sunrise and Clearly Winner tied for 2nd. They will probably now move on to face their elders when the Queens’ Tour Fall/Winter begins on September 20th with the Jeju Governor’s Cup (1400M KOR-G3).

(Pic: KRA)

There is no Stakes action in Korea next weekend but there are still full programs at both Seoul and Busan. Group level racing returns with the Owners’ Cup (1600M KOR-G3), the first instalment of the Premier Series, at Busan on Sunday June 28.

KOREA RACING REPORT (JUNE 12-14)

SUNDAY AT SEOUL SAW SUNRISE WIN THE CLOSING LEG OF THE TRIPLE ON THE UNDERCARD THE MAIN HANDICAP WAS WON BY THE PROGRESSIVE DRAGON KILLER (writes Luke Humphreys).

Dragon Killer (Power Blade) had been a beaten favourite in three attempts at Class 3 level before breaking through at that grade last time out. He went straight into Class 2 company with a dominant front-running display over the 1800M and while tiring late, had enough in hand to score by almost two-lengths. Dragon Killer was the 4.1 second pick and beat his co-favourites in Tanseongui Banseok, 3.0, and Zetta Master, 5.1, who both had too much to do from their rearward positions. The former was a neck ahead of the latter for 2nd and 3rd.

The victory of Dragon Killer completed a double for trainer Kang Hwan-min as he earlier prepared ONE DIA (Independence Hall) to win Race 7 (1400M Class 4) by two-lengths at odds of 17.2. That race saw Unju Prince start a 1.9 favourite, but he dropped out after having every chance in front.

PURGE STEP (Purge) bounced back to her best form in Race 6 (1800M Class 3) leading for the majority as the 3.3 favourite. She had won two in a row before taking her chance in the Listed Dong-a Ilbo Trophy against the best older Korean fillies and mares where she finished 13th of fourteen runners. Only 6th at her next start, she bounced back to winning ways in determined fashion after initially being headed by the eventual 2nd placed Storm Breaker halfway up the home straight.

COMPLETE STEP (Girolamo) struck a very winnable contest in Race 10 (1200M Class 4) as the only mare against the boy. A debutante was sent off as a 1.7 chance in Phantom Prince, but he had no match for Complete Step who drew clear for an easy seven-length success as the second favourite at 5.0.

RAON THE TONY (Musket Man) proved too good in Race 5 (1300M Class 5) leading throughout to break her maiden status at start six by one-length. Except for her previous start she had been consistent and paid an each-way price of 10.3.

FLYING SMART (Old Fashioned) had proven an enigma for favourite backers in her three starts prior to stepping out in Race 3 (1400M Class 6) with slow starts and rearward positions in the run doing her no favours. However, this time she began well and led under Kozzi Asano and the Tony Castanheira prepared filly scored by three-quarters of a length. Naturally, punters had not retained faith and sent her off as the 5.5 third market choice. Clair Freedom started favourite at 2.1 and finished 3rd.

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FUNNY WILD SECURES “DOUBLE CROWN” WITH MINISTER’S CUP WIN

There may not have been a Triple Crown at stake, but a “Double Crown” was secured on Sunday afternoon as KRA Cup winner and Korean Derby 3rd placegetter Funny Wild added the final jewel of the series, the Minister’s Cup (2000M KOR-G2), to his collection at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. But there was controversy behind with the second and third placings reversed in the Stewards’ room.

Funny Wild held on in the Minister’s Cup (Pic: KRA)

Sent off  among a full field of sixteen as the 2.5 market favourite, despite doubts over his staying ability after a lackluster final furlong in the Korean Derby, jockey Seo Seung-un was able to ease Funny Wild from an excellent draw in gate six to sit behind early pacesetter Clutch Magic. Funny Wild took the lead as Clutch Magic faded in the early home straight and he stayed on to grind out a half-length victory.

“I wasn’t confident about this one” winning jockey Seo Seung-un admitted to KRBC. “It was a very competitive race, and I thought there were any number of possible winners, so I had to ride hard, and the horse was able to keep going all the way. As expected, the horse on the inside (Clutch Magic) led and I was able to settle in 2nd, and it was smooth from there.”

“I still have some regrets about the Korean Derby, we got a bad draw and then some bad luck between the first and second corners, but we were able to avoid all that today.” As for the future, Seo was circumspect. “He is good, but he was against other three-year-olds here. It will be challenging when he faces older horses.”

The drama was behind though. Breedo Sol got the closest to Funny Wild, just half a length in arrears on the line, however, in his drive for the finish, jockey Jung Do-yun had allowed his charge to veer across and into the path of Mr. Taeyang, who was finishing the fastest of any in the field. An Inquiry was called and with the margin between the pair only a neck, the placings were reversed. A blameless DOCTOR CHRIS, the disappointment of the Derby a month ago, was a close 4th.

Funny Wild was perhaps fortunate. Even with the interference from Breedo Sol, Mr. Taeyang, completed the final furlong more than half a second faster than the winner and jockey Choi Bum-hyun was of the opinion that he could have won:  “Ultimately it is a part of racing, a loss is a loss, and this is one of many ways to lose a race. But of course, I wonder what could have been if not for the interference.”

Jung Do-yun, who was adjudged to have caused the interference on Breedo Sol accepted responsibility and the resulting five-day ban. “I didn’t mean to do it, but I was only focused on winning and I lost my line.” Jung was also keen to talk up his mount. “(Breedo Sol) is talented. He is light on his feet, has good balance and he stayed really well. We have to settle for 3rd this time, but I am excited about his future.”

Funny Wild is by Bayern and out of Funny Sunny (by Sharp Humor). He was bred by his owner Choi Sang-il, who stands Bayern at Great Hill Farm on Jeju Island. He is trained at Busan by Choi Ki-hong, of Winner’s Man fame.

Next weekend the filly Triple Crown reaches its conclusion with the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul. Only ten remain in the field but they do include the Korean Oaks winner Catch Race.

Korea Racing Report: June 5-7

AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY THE 26TH RUNNING OF THE MINISTER’S CUP PRODUCED A DRAMATIC FINISH WITH FUNNY WILD PRODUCING A VERY GAME PERFORMANCE TO SCORE BUT, ON THE UNDERCARD, THE MAIN HANDICAP WAS THE CONCLUDING CLASS 2 AND REMEMBER AGAIN ran out an easy five-length winner under CC Wong (writes Luke Humphreys).

Remember Again (Chrysolite) had failed at his first run at Class 2 level in April when using too much petrol in the run, but under a conservative ride by CC Wong, who was aboard for the first time, he pulled away to score. King Honor continued his recent good form with a 2nd place finish for him whilst The Player was a neck behind him in 3rd. The 1.9 favourite More Than Joke could only managed 6th.

Whilst Funny Wild was the star of the day the most well-known horse running on the day was LALA K (Hansen) and he recorded his first victory since his famous juvenile days when holding on to win Race 9 (1200M Class 3) by a head as the 2.6 favourite.

Lala K went viral on the internet when winning the 2023 Rookie Stakes coming from an incredibly long last and had only won once since in the NACF Chairman’s Trophy later that year. That changed on Sunday as he raced on pace and fell in to score, the total opposite of his famous Rookie Stakes victory. Haksan Dark Horse, attempting to replicate his course, distance, and grade victory from April, was narrowly denied whilst the Japanese bred Gwanaksan Rickey, 4.2 second choice, did his chances no good with a horrible start and was a never nearer 5th.

CHEONGSAN DOLPUNG (Shackleford) had been knocking on the door for a victory after chasing home some decent types in recent starts and he got his elusive first win in Race 3 (1200M Class 5) with a comfortable four-length score as the 2.0 favourite. Fifty minutes later in Race 4 (1300M Class 5) LOVERMAN (To Honor And Serve) took advantage of the leaders going too fast too soon with a last to first victory at much bigger odds of 22.0 completing a race-to-race double for jockey Jang Chu-youl and trainer Lee Gwan-ho. That race saw the 3.0 favourite Stepping Stone miss the start before being rousted up to take a forward role and was one of the first beaten finishing 9th of the eleven runners.

Jang Chu-youl completed a treble in Race 6 (1600M Class 4) on SLING STAR (To Honor And Serve) who was excellent in completing four victories in a row with a one-and-three quarter length score under the topweight of 58kg. Yongbi Hero was 2nd and is surely close to a win whilst the 3.2 favourite Mighty Choice was 3rd.

The victory of Sling Star completed a double on the day for trainer Kim Dong-kyun as STUNNING BOLT (Cowboy Cal) scored for him and Furkan Yuksel in Race 2 (1300M Class 6).

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NICE BUDDY DISRUPTS THE ELITE WITH ALL THE WAY KNN CUP VICTORY

Nice Buddy made light work of the widest gate to cruise to the front and stay on to win the KNN Cup (1600M KOR-G3), the final leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer for fillies and mares at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Nice Buddy (Pic: KRA)

Having finished as runner-up in both prior legs of the series, Boryeonglightqueen was sent off as the favourite, with defending champion and Donga Ilbo winner Raon Forest and Ttukseom Cup winner Fantastic Value the only other two in single digits in the market. Nice Buddy wasn’t exactly missed by punters, but having drawn the widest gate, she started as the sixth choice.

Just as with Born Dia in the SROA Chairman’s Sprint two weeks ago, the wide draw proved to problem for Nice Buddy as she followed Oneuldo Smile across and into a remarkably easy lead. From then on, jockey Lee Hyo-sik was able to control the tempo and still have plenty left for the home straight, where they saw off the late challenge of Gladius, with Yeosu Super Star coming home in 3rd.

Boryeonglightqueen launched her usual late run but could only manage 4th. Fantastic Value was 6th while with no pace to run at, Raon Forest was back in 8th. In terms of the overall Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer series, Boryeonglightqueen and Fantastic Value topped the table with 600 points apiece.

“I thought Oneuldo Smile would be quick away so I wanted to go with her and then the pace was a bit slower than expected so I decided it would be ok to take over the lead” winning jockey Lee Hyo-sik told KRBC.

“Even though she’s a filly, she has the strength of the colts but while I was happy to be with her for the KNN Cup, I didn’t put our winning chnaces at higher than twenty or thirty percent as there were so many other contenders and this was (Nice Buddy’s) first time in a Graded race.”

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Korea Racing Report: May 29-31

AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY THE 2300M START WAS IN USE FOR THE FIRST OF THREE TIMES ANNUALLY AND THE PRINCIPAL RACE ON THE CARD WAS WON BY THE HORSE THAT WAS BY FAR THE BEST STAYER ON THE DAY IN SATANG SONYEO for Jeong Jeong-hee and Luigi Riccardi (writes Luke Humphreys).

Satang Sonyeo (Girvin) has always looked a long-distance type and as per usual she showed little to no early speed but under encouragement from Jeong Jeong-hee eventually took a role closer than normal just behind the pacesetters, who did too much down the straight on the first occasion. Satang Sonyeo struck the front at the top of the straight the second time around, and the 3.2 favourite held off the challenge of the 4.8 third choice Pepper X who was a game 2nd with East West eleven-lengths away in 3rd.

The victory of Satang Sonyeo completed an outstanding weekend for trainer Luigi Riccardi after multiple successes twenty-four hours earlier.

Kim Tae-hun had a riding treble on the card beginning with TRIPLE S (Revolutionary) who got up late on to win Race 3 (1400M Class 6) by a head as the 9.3 third pick, over the 5.7 second choice Jechuk Sanjiro with the 1.4 popular pick Saenae Rania only 5th. POWERFUL PRADO (Colors Flying) the got the better of her co-favourites to land Race 5 (1300M Class 5) by a neck as the 6.2 third choice with Nuni Olkkayo, 2.7 popular pick, beaten a neck into 2nd and Brown Mamma, 2.8, a head away in 3rd. DONGGANGUI STAR (Old Fashioned) was the last of the trio in Race 6 (1700M Class 5) getting up in the concluding stages to win by a half-length.

The victory of Powerful Prado was the beginning of a double for trainer Lee Joon-chel as in Race 9 (1800M Class 3) KEIDRAGON (Goldencents) was an eye-catching winner from the top by eleven-lengths under Kim Yong-geun. The four-year-old Canadian bred gelding was having his third run this time in and ran his rivals off their feet. The two favourites in Airforceone, 3.0, and Major Crown, 2.6, were disappointments in 6th and 8th places respectively with the former losing his chance after a slow start whilst the latter didn’t stay.

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KOREA RACING REPORT: MAY 22-24 – Roshe, Knicks Go Won

A BUMPER CROWD OF 27,000 PEOPLE SHOWED UP AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY, AND THEY SAW A TEN RACE CARD WHICH CONCLUDED WITH A 1200M CLASS 2 WHERE FLYING DAY continued her consistent run of form by making it six wins from fourteen starts with a last gasp victory over longtime leader Nice Force (writes Luke Humphreys).

Roshe (Pic: KRA)

Flying Day (Race Day) at her previous victory had run down last year’s top juvenile filly Chief Star in the last couple of strides and ran down another smart sprinter in the closing stages with an extending half-length victory over Nice Force who just about returned to his best form that saw him start an odds-on favourite in the KRA Sprint on Grand Prix Day last year.

Flying Day paid 5.3 on the Korean tote with Nice Force being the 4.3 second favourite, whilst the 3.9 popular pick Eldorado Nolbu ran his usual consistent race without winning leaving himself too much to do in the run and he ended up finishing a never nearer 3rd. Blue Lemon was the other one in the market at 7.1 and finished 5th.

30 minutes earlier Kozzi Asano landed Race 9 (1200M Class 4) on GOOD MORNING COME (Freedom Child) who returned to the winners list after being around the mark against solid opposition at her previous three starts. Following her three-quarter length victory as the 3.0 favourite she has now won three races from nine starts. Hwasangwihwan was 2nd with Fedaykin, 4.8 third choice, 3rd and Chumchuneunjangmi, 4.6 second pick, in 4th.

The Luigi Riccardi prepared three-year-old filly WILD MAGIC (Triple Nine) made it back-to-back front-running wins in Race 7 (1800M Class 4) as the 2.5 favourite with a one-and-three-quarter length victory over the 3.5 second market choice Ghost Chrysol. Wild Magic continues to progress, and the domestically bred filly is one to keep following.

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Clean One Sets Down Korea Cup Marker in Busan Mayor’s

Clean One emphatically confirmed his status as the best horse in Korea as he dominated the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) on Sunday afternoon, leaving his supposed rivals trailing far behind him in the Busan sand in the final leg of the Stayer Series. In doing so, he had onlookers wondering just what might happen on the first Sunday in September.

Clean One (Pic: KRA)

Having rounded out his three-year-old season by winning the Grand Prix Stakes by the biggest margin in three decades, Clean One kicked off 2026 with a dismissive score in the Herald Business (2000M KOR-G3), the first leg of the Stayer Series at Seoul in March. With bigger targets and workload management in mind, he was kept out of last month’s YTN Cup. That was won by Succes Baekpa, and instead, Clean One came straight to the Busan Mayor’s Cup over the Korea Cup distance of 1800M.

Clean One was sent off as the 1.4 favourite. That price seemed generous as as under Seo Seung-un, Clean One cruised into the lead setting a pace that, as in the Grand Prix and Herald Business, his rivals were soon uncomfortable with. Seo meanwhile sat motionless before asking for a brief effort in the home straight that saw the pair  kick on and win by six-lengths from Global Hit.

A month ago, when a resurgent Global Hit ran 2nd to Success Baekpa in the YTN, many observers opined that a prime Global Hit would have easily gone past the winner. Nobody even entertained any thought that he would have gone past Clean One. Even in 2nd, Global Hit ran the quickest time he ever has for the 1800M. The figures suggested that this may even have been the old Global Hit.

Ever the enigma, Gangpungma, on a day when many had written him off, ran a fine 3rd, with Success Baekpa in 4th. Yeonggwanguifirst was 5th with Speed Young an uncharacteristic 6th.

“From about the 4th corner, I was confident he would win” trainer Moon Hyeon-cheol, very unconvincingly, given it was obvious to all other observers that from the first corner Clean One would win, told KRBC. “I am so proud of Clean One” he said, with a little more conviction. “It’s the greatest success for our stable so far and so good to do it in front of so many fans who have turned out at Busan.”

Moon also paid tribute to runner-up Global Hit, a horse he revealed he worked with during a brief spell as assistant to Bang Dong-suk, just before striking out on his own. “I helped prepare Global Hit a couple of times and was really happy to see him run well today. I want to help Clean One achieve as much as Global Hit.”

As for what’s next for Clean One: “Nothing has changed from before, we will next go to the KRA Cup Classic and then to the Korea Cup. The only factor we consider is the horse’s health.”

Winning jockey Seo Seung-un wasn’t quite as reticent as his trainer. “The plan was to lead, and while I had a couple of ideas what to do if we were unable to do that, we got to the front quite easily and really, 100 metres into the race, I was pretty sure we would win.”

“I only care about the chemistry between me and the horse. My job is to help him flow freely and not get in his way. To be honest, this race was a race he should win; a really light test for him, don’t give us any plaudits for today, the race I am focused on is the Korea Cup.”

Further down the field, Tuhonui Banseok signed off from a long career that saw him win this race twice in 2023 and 2024 in 12th place. The eight-year-old will return to the races safe and sound one last time for his well-earned retirement ceremony next Sunday.

Clean One is by Bernardini and is out of No Fault (by Blame). He was purchased by K.O.I.D. out of the Keeneland 2023 Yearling Sale for $22,000. In Korea he is campaigned by the Healing Farm Union organization.

The KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) is at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday July 26th. The Korea Cup is on Sunday September 9th.

Next week, the main race of the weekend is also at Busan as the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer concludes with the KNN Cup (1600M KOR-G3)