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BUSAN’S FIRST ERA CONCLUDES AS TRAINER KIM YOUNG-KWAN AND JOCKEY YOU HYUN-MYUNG RETIRE

As Busan Racecourse approaches its twenty-year anniversary, the first era of the southern track is over with the most successful trainer of the past two decades Kim Young-kwan, and its most significant jockey You Hyun-myung, both retiring this coming Sunday.

Kim Young-kwan (left) and You Hyun-myung (2nd right) celebrate Blue Chipper’s 2019 Korea Sprint win with owner Choi Byung-bu and then KRA CEO Kim Nag-soon (Pic: KRA)

An aspiring jockey in the mid 1970’s, Kim Young-kwan realized at an early stage that he wasn’t going to make it in the saddle and switched to horse management and training. He finally got his Trainer’s License in 2024 and was among the original line-up of trainers to be based at Busan when it opened in 2005.

Kim went on to win the Busan Trainer’s Championship thirteen times, saddled a Triple Crown winner, won races overseas, and in all won fifty-five Group races, a record that under the current structure of racing in Korea, seems unlikely to ever be repeated.

Fillies have bookended his career. Luna, Busan’s first real star racehorse, was responsible for his first three group wins between 2005 and 2007, while Jeulgeounyeojoeng provided six out of his last seven between 2023 and this year, the last coming in the Ttukseom Cup at Seoul in April.

Kim also trained three fillies to win the Korean Derby, Sangseung Ilro in 2010, Speedy First in 2013 and Queen’s Blade in 2014. That was back in the days when the calendar allowed the best fillies to compete in the Derby as well as the Oaks. He also trained another filly, Gamdonguibada, to win the Grand Prix Stakes in 2012.

The Triple Crown would be won with Power Blade in 2016 while Triple Nine, who would become his stablemate’s great rival, won four consecutive President’s Cups. Kim also prepared Blue Chipper to win the Korea Sprint in 2019 while Mister Park won a Grand Prix on his way to a Korean record of seventeen consecutive victories.

Overseas, Kim was the first Korea trainer to saddle a Dubai Carnival winner when Main Stay scored in 2017. He also took Blue Chipper to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita in 2019 where he ran 3rd behind Spun To Run and Omaha Beach.   Power Blade and Triple Nine also both ran with credit in Dubai.

The first Korean trainer to reach 1000 winners, Kim has 1539 in total from 7045 runners but has chances to add to it this coming weekend.

You Hyun-myung’s first Group race win also came with Luna, who he partnered in the 2006 Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup. You became a jockey at Seoul in 2002 and transferred to Busan on its opening. He was champion jockey at the track four times between 2014 and 2019.

You also paired up with Kim Young-kwan for his two Group 1 wins: Mister Park in the 2010 Grand Prix and Blue Chipper in the Korea Sprint. While he didn’t ride a Korean Derby winner, he secured plenty of other Classics, most recently with Success Baekpa in the 2024 KRA Cup Mile and Minister’s Cup.

In total, You, who is not scheduled to ride this weekend, rode 1253 winners from 7559 rides.

Also retiring this weekend are Seoul trainers An Hae-yang and Yoo Jae-gil. An saddled two Korean Oaks winners, Amaranth in 2003 and Uaryung in 2020. Yoo’s sole Group success came with Gwacheon Ruler in the 2007 SROA Chairman’s Trophy. Busan’s Yang Kui-sun is also saying his farewells this weekend after saddling 430 winners.

Oasis Blue’s Triple Crown Bid Thwarted as Gillespie’s My Dream Day Takes Minister’s Cup

The wait for a successor to Power Blade will stretch to at least a decade as KRA Cup Mile and Korean Derby winner Oasis Blue could only manage 5th as MY DREAM DAY won the Minister’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3), the final leg of the Crown, at Seoul Racecourse last Sunday afternoon.

My Dream Day and Seo Seung-un win the Minister’s Cup (Pic: KRA)

After his Cup Mile and Derby romps, Oasis Blue was sent off as the prohibitive 1.4 favourite even after a similarly short-priced prospect, Fantastic Value, failed in her bid to complete the Triple Tiara a week ago. Coming out of gate six, Jin Kyum positioned Oasis Blue prominent racing just behind the early pace which was set by Wonderful Groom and the favourite’s stablemate, Oasis Red.

My Dream Day, who was being partnered by Seo Seung-un for the first time since January, settled just behind the leading group, much closer than he had been in the Derby. Wonderful Groom gave way fast as they turned for home but instead of Oasis Blue, it was My Dream Day who made his move, striking the front just inside two furlongs out.

Storm Fighter and Young Skywalker would emerge as the closest challengers but never looked like getting on terms with the winner, who crossed the line three-quarters of a length to the good. Oasis Red was 4th with Oasis Blue 5th, a full eight-lengths behind My Dream Day.

While it was yet another big race win for jockey Seo Seung-un, making up perhaps for missing out on the Tiara last week, it was a first Classic for trainer Thomas Gillespie and his second Korean Group win since opening his stable in 2015.

Thomas Gillespie and My Dream Day connections (Pic: KRA)

Gilliespie has trained 367 winners from just under 3000 starters in Korea maintaining a win percentage of 12.5%. His previous Group win was in the 2016 Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup with Ms. Margaux.

My Dream Day is by Save The World (by Menifee), who was campaigned by My Dream Day’s owner Shin Woo-cheol and who won the Covid-delayed 2020 Korean Derby in which he suffered an injury that led to his retirement. He is out of Coming Soon (by First Samurai). Runner-up in the Cup Mile and 4th in the Derby, his only previous win came at class 5 level over 1400M just before Christmas.

The wait for a successor to Power Blade goes on although there could be plenty more to come from Oasis Blue. Global Hit could only manage two out of the three Classics two years ago and so could Success Baekpa last year. They are currently the two best two-turn horses in the country.

Korean racing is about to enter its summer slumber, at least in terms of Graded Stakes, with only the Busan Owners’ Cup at the end of this month and the KRA Cup Classic at the start of August before the big international races at the start of September.

Boryeonglightqueen Denies Fantastic Value Triple Tiara Sweep

There is no Triple Tiara winner in 2025 as Boryeonglightqueen swept by Fantastic Value to win the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Boryeonglightqueen and Jung Do-yun (Pic: KRA)

Having won both the the Luna Stakes and Korean Oaks in facile fashion, Fantastic Value was sent off as the odds-on  favourite to emulate Golden Power and Jeulgeounyeojeong in being a Tiara winner.

As in the Oaks, Oneuldo Smile led for most of the way around what was an unchartered 2000M for all nine fillies. Fantastic Value loomed up in the home straight and briefly took the lead but was powerless to resist the challenge of Boryeonglightqueen, 3rd in both the Luna and the Oaks, who flashed home to score comfortably under Jung Do-yun.

Boryeonglightqueen is by the 2015 Minister’s Cup winner Rock Band and is out of Yaho Prez (by Menifee). Rock Band’s Rock Candy was 4th. The winner is owned by Choi Won-gil and is trained at Busan by Kim Gil-jung. She moves on tothree wins from eleven starts.

Next week it is the big one. The Triple Crown is on the line on Sunday afternoon in the Minister’s Cup (2000M KOR-G2) when KRA Cup Mile and Korean Derby winner Oasis Blue will make his run for glory.

FANTASTIC VALUE SET FOR TRIPLE TIARA SWEEP

Next weekend all eyes will be on Oasis Blue’s attempt to become the first three-year-old since Power Blade almost a decade ago to sweep all three-legs of the Triple Crown. This Sunday at Seoul Racecourse, Fantastic Value has the opportunity to become the third filly in four years to claim the Triple Tiara as she starts the hot favourite for the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3). SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN.

Fantastic Value and Oneuldo Smile were 1st and 2nd in the Oaks and meet again (Pic: KRA(

After winning the Luna Stakes and the Korean Oaks in 2022, Golden Power successfully completed the set with victory in the Gyeonggi while a year later Jeulgeounyeojeong did the same. Having pulled off dominant victories in both the Luna and the Oaks, FANTASTIC VALUE should be joining them.

All of the top five in the Oaks return with runner-up ONEULDO SMILE the probable second-favourite. Having skipped the Luna, she entered the Oaks with a perfect four from four record but while she led for much of the way, she was powerless to stop Fantastic Value from sweeping by and was five-lengths in arrears on the line.

CC Wong will be aboard Oneuldo Smile once more and it will be interesting to see whether they employ the same tactics and lead again.

BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN was 3rd in both the Oaks and the Luna and should be in at least the placing mix again, while a newcomer to the Series is ROCK CANDY. The Bart Rice trainee gets her chance having won two of her last three up to class 5 and a mile and her running style suggests that she could be a filly who can make the step up in trip.

The Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup is race 7 on the 9-race Sunday card at Seoul.

1. FLASH RUN – Only win came in maiden company at 1300M but she was a good 5th in the Oaks as the longest shot on the board and from the widest gate. Further improvement is possible.

2. BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN – 3rd in both the Luna and Oaks but she has won over 1800M. Hard to see her overturning the form on Fantastic Value but shapes as a place chance and the additional trip can suit.

3. LIME TREE – Class 4 winner over a mile and 4th in both the Luna and the Oaks, eight-lengths behind Fantastic Value in the later. Will race handy and can match or better that 4th.

4. RISING MO – 2nd in the Luna Stakes coming from well off the pace but only beat one him in the Oaks. Has run better when coming from a long way back but too inconsistent to confidently recommend for a place

5. ONEULDO SMILE – Won her first four up to Class 4 and 1200M and then led the Oaks before being passed by Fantastic Value. She has five-lengths to make up but will probably be on pace again and will be 2nd favourite.

6. ECLIPSE THE QUEEN – Enters off her maiden win over 1400M on April 5th when coming from midfield. Fresh after nine weeks off, but big step up here.

7. FANTASTIC VALUE – Comfortable winner of the first two legs of the series and no reason to suggest that the step up in trip, or the new environment at Seoul, will be a problem. She will be the strong favourite.

8. ROCK CANDY – Gets her chance having won two of her last three up to class 5 and a mile, coming from off the pace. Extended trip may suit and may offer some each-way interest.

9. ALPHA FEMALE – The only maiden in the race, she hasn’t even finished in the top three. Seirene won this race as a maiden for the same owners last year but surely lightning does not strike twice.

Selections(7) Fantastic Value (5) Oneuldo Smile (2) Boryeonglightqueen (8) Rock Candy
Next Best3, 1
Fast Start5, 6, 7, 9

Global Hit Grinds To Busan Homecoming Victory

Global Hit found himself in trouble but managed to dig himself out and ultimately grind down stablemate Speed Young to take a narrow win in the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) at Busan on Sunday afternoon.

Global Hit edges out Speed Young in the Busan Mayor’s Cup (Pic: KRA)

Making a rare appearance at his home track, GLOBAL HIT was sent off as the prohibitive 1.1 favourite for the race but found himself pocketed and unable to find a run until late on. By that time SPEED YOUNG had launched his bid for home and it took until the very final strides for Global Hit to get on terms and ultimately pass him to win by a neck.

The one-two was the same as in last month’s YTN Cup at Seoul, when Global Hit finished five-lengths to the good. That day’s fourth placegetter and Herald Business winner SUCCESS BAEKPA was six-lengths back in 3rd.

“The start was quicker than in the 2000M races so it was hard to find position, especially when (Daeam Janggun) came across and I couldn’t get out” winning jockey Kim Hye-sun explained to KBS N Sports. “It was then very close in the straight. I think we will take this experience of 1800M and try to avoid making the same mistake in the Korea Cup.”

The win was Global Hit’s twelfth in twenty-one lifetime starts. It was his ninth Group race success but his first at Busan, where his and Speed Young’s trainer Bang Dong-suk is based.

It’s probable that Global Hit will follow the same route as he did last year and not race again until defending the KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) at Seoul on August 3rd in the lead up to the Korea Cup (1800M IG3) on September 7.  Speed Young will probably be sent to defend the Busan Owner’s Cup (1600M KOR-G3) that he won last year on June 29.

Despite only prevailing narrowly, Global Hit looks a far better horse than he was a year ago. With his early pace and sustained finish – the latter getting him and his jockey out of trouble on Sunday – he very nearly has the full package. He is the best local hope for September’s international races.

In related news, three-year-old import WONPYEONG STORM, who was five for five before finding the Herald Business in March a bit too much too soon returned to action at Seoul on Sunday afternoon. The Tale Of The Cat colt was a dominant winner of the Sports Kyunghyang Trophy (rating 95 or less), cruising home eight lengths to the good over a mile.

Next weekend the feature action is at Busan again with the KNN Cup (1600M KOR-G3), the final leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer for fillies and mares on Sunday.

Oasis Blue Wins Korean Derby – One Jewel From Triple Crown

The so-called curse of the KRA Cup Mile is over as Oasis Blue became the first horse since Power Blade in 2016 to follow-up victory in that race by winning the Korean Derby (1800M KOR-G1), scoring by a comfortable two-lengths at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Oasis Blue and Jin Kyum salute in the Korean Derby (Pic: KRA)

Having won the KRA Cup Mile in April by four-lengths, Oasis Blue was sent off as the 1.5 favourite, a price that regardless of his merits seemed short when drawn in gate thirteen in a sixteen-runner race on a wet surface at a track he never experienced before. All while trying to do what doesn’t get often done.

Jockey Jin Kyum didn’t panic and was seemingly content to stay wide throughout on Oasis Blue, safe in the knowledge that he had the best horse under him. They improved rapidly in the backstraight to sit just behind the leading pair in the and, once the brakes were removed after tuning for home, proved way too strong, winning by two-lengths.

Unju Guy was a 56/1 revelation in 2nd while the second-favourite Eclipse the King was 3rd. Both of those raced on pace throughout on a weekend where the wet track was favouring front runners and who in the latter’s case, led from the gate until Oasis Blue swept past late.

Oasis Blue moved on to six wins from nine starts (plus one disqualification) and fo jockey Jin Kyum, winning his first Derby – and his first Group 1 – he could well prove to be a career-defining horse.

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Korean Derby 2025: Preview & Form Comments

A full field of sixteen will go to the post for the twenty-eighth edition of the Korean Derby (1800M KOR-G1) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, when OASIS BLUE will be bidding to become the first horse since Power Blade in 2016 to follow up victory in the KRA Cup Mile by winning the Derby. SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN ON DERBY DAY.

Oasis Blue is favourite for the Derby (Pic: KRA)

Power Blade of course famously went on to sweep all three jewels in the crown that year. But while Hit Yegam in 2021 and Success Baekpa last year were able to bounce back and win the final leg, the Minister’s Cup, the Derby has eluded all Cup Mile winners in the past decade. Oasis Blue will be hot favourite to change that.

Oasis Blue is trained by Baik Kwang-yeol, who has won the Derby twice already, with Yeongcheon Ace in 2015 and Winner Star in 2022. A winner of five from eight (with one disqualification too) Oasis Blue was a facile winner of both the Listed Gyeongnam Shinmun, Busan’s Classic Trial over 1400M and the Cup Mile.

Jin Kyum stays aboard and while they do have the challenge of a wide gate as well as tackling Seoul for the first time, Oasis Blue may be too good.

Moon Se-young has also won the race twice before, on Jigeum I Sungan in 2012 and Wonderful Fly in 2019. He partners ECLIPSE THE KING, who skipped both Seoul’s Classic Trial and the Cup Mile but has been assembling an impressive body of work.

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (May 9)

The weekend’s action gets underway at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11:25 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(7) BEOLGYOUI HIM has a best of 2nd from six starts so far and enters off a fair 5th at 1200M in March. He has had a tendency to be a bit slow away but there is no early speed in this race so he should be much more forward today, the additional trip can suit, and he is the one to beat. (1) STORM POINT has hinted at ability over his eight tries, albeit not getting any closer than 4th. He did that over this distance, he draws well here and in this small field should be aiming for a career to date best. (3) GWANGPUNG STAR has shown improvement across her latest couple with a 3rd place at 1300M being her latest on April 4th. The slight step up in trip can help and she can match or better that here. (8) CAPTAIN KOREA and (4) DIA MATE are the other place chances.

Selections(7) Beolgyoui Him (1) Storm Point (3) Gwangpung Star (8) Captain Korea
Next Best4, 5
Fast Start3, 6, 7, 8

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Wright A / KRW 30 Million

Maidens with four of the eleven racing for the first time, but it’s hard to go past (5) JEONGMUN FELIX. After a couple of fair efforts, he was an improved 3rd at this distance on March 21st when on pace throughout. He should be on the speed again here and won’t need to improve much to win in this company. A couple of the debut makers look interesting. (4) SEINE GANG ran 5th in a trial having overcome a wide draw. He gets a great gate on debut here and from on pace can be in this a long way. (9) BIGBANG CLASS beat Seine Gang in a trial, the second time that he showed ability in the morning heats. He doesn’t draw as well, but if he can find a forward position, will be a chance. Returning to the experience, (8) ROAD TO HEUIMANG and (1) FLY GIRL are potential improvers.

Selections(5) Jeongmun Felix (4) Seine Gang (9) Bigbang Class (8) Road To Heuimang
Next Best1, 10
Fast Start1, 4, 5, 9

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Competitive race. (8) FLYING RACE was a maiden winner two starts back at 1200M and was then sent off as favourite for his first try at this class on April 11th when from a very wide draw he was slow away and only managed to run 8th – although he did beat a couple of today’s rivals. With a better start here, he can be given another chance. (3) IT’S OK ran once last year for a decent 4th and then didn’t reappear until this April 6th. She made an immediate impact, leading every step of the way to score over this distance with plenty in hand and while she comes up in class here, she should strip even fitter, and can measure up. (1) BROWN ROOKIE took a couple of goes to get accustomed to this level but enters off back-to-back 4th places at this distance and she can be a danger here. (6) DOCTOR CITY and (7) VELOCIRAPTOR others who can challenge for the minors.

Selections(8) Flying Race (3) It’s Ok (1) Brown Rookie (6) Doctor City
Next Best7, 5
Fast Start1, 3, 5, 6

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (5) YEOSU SUPER STAR was a winner on debut over 1200M on April 11th, racing handy throughout before striking the front just over a furlong out and running on. She comes up in class and slightly in trip, but neither should be a problem, and she can make it two from two here. (2) CHEONHAJIYU ran 2nd in two starts early last year before suffering an injury setback. She finally returned in February, putting in an ordinary run but returned to form on April 4th with another solid 2nd place at 1200M. Third-up she can be peaking fitness wise, and she should be close. (10) MISSOURI CHAMP got her maiden win two starts back and was a good 3rd on her first try at this class on April 11th and she can be in the mix again. (7) SIMON STAR, who needs a line through her latest, along with (3) DOCTOR MATTERS, are other contenders.

Selections(5) Yeosu Super Star (2) Cheonhajiyu (10) Missouri Champ (7) Simon Star
Next Best3, 1
Fast Start2, 5, 6, 11

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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No Surprises As Fantastic Value Strolls To Oaks Win

Even as an odds-on chance, FANTASTIC VALUE provided plenty as she eased to victory in the Korean Oaks (1800M KOR-G2) at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, adding the second jewel of the Triple Tiara to the first that she scored in the Luna Stakes at the end of March.

The wildcard – and perhaps sole interest in the race given Fantastic Value’s Luna superiority – was ONEULDO SMILE, a hitherto unbeaten filly, who travelled down from Seoul with a perfect four-from-four albeit never having raced at further than 1200M.

As expected, Oneuldo Smile was sent to the lead by CC Wong while Seo Seung-un settled Fantastic Value handy and Oneul Smile ended up giving a very good account of herself leading until just over a furlong to go when the favourite came by.

Just as in the Luna, Fantastic Value’s winning margin was five-lengths with Oneuldo Smile managing to hold off Boryeonglightqueen and Lime Tree for an excellent 2nd, the latter pair repeating their Luna finishes of 3rd and 4th respectively.

Fantastic Value [Afleet Express – Union Belle (by Dixie Union)] moves on to five wins from ten starts. Owned by Moojigae Rentcar, she is trained at Busan by Lim Keum-man. She will be the hot favourite to emulate Golden Power in 2022 and Jeulgeounyeojeong in 2023 in claiming all three jewels in the Tiara. The final leg, the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) is at Seoul on Sunday June 8th.

A more interesting prospect as to whether she completes the Tiara, may be the prospect of Fantastic Value facing the likes of Jeulgeounyeojeong in the Queens’ Tour Winter/Fall in the latter part of the year.

Next Sunday it is the turn of the three-year-old colts with KRA Cup Mile winner Oasis Blue the favourite to win the Korean Derby (1800M KOR-G1) at Seoul.

Korean Oaks 2025 Form Comments

Two out of the past three years have seen a single filly sweep all three legs of the Triple Tiara and on Sunday Fantastic Value can go one step closer to emulating Golden Power in 2022 and Jeulgeounyeojeong in 2023 by winning the Korean Oaks (1800M KOR-G2) at Busan. SEE HERE FOR A FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES ACROSS SEOUL & BUSAN.

Fantastic Value comprehensively won the Luna Stakes (Pic: KRA)

That the three-year-old Korean bred filly division isn’t a very deep one is reflected in only ten going to face the starter, one of which is a maiden with a rating of just twenty-six. FANTASTIC VALUE had little trouble seeing off her rivals in the opening jewel of the Tiara, the Luna Stakes (1600M KOR-L) at the end of March, when she pulled away in the home straight to win by five-lengths.

With that Luna triumph, the Lim Keum-man trained Fantastic Value moved onto four wins from nine starts and has experience of the 1800M Oaks distance having run 4th over it at class 4 level prior to her Tiara 1st leg score.

All first four home in the Luna return for another go in the Oaks, but the most fascinating runner is a newcomer to the Tiara trail. ONEULDO SMILE debuted as a juvenile last August and won but then got injured and didn’t reappear until this January. She has since won three on the spin, most recently a fourteen-length romp at Class 4 level on March 23rd.

CC Wong rides Oneuldo Smile for the first time and while she has never been further than 1200M, the daughter of Federalist looks an enticing prospect.

1. BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN – Ran 3rd in the Luna from a wide draw. A winner and runner-up in two tries at 1800M both at class 5 level puts her ahead of most of these. In the frame.

2. TEAM SURPRISE – Yet to win in eleven and that probably won’t change here but does have nine top five finishes. First try at further than 1400M can suit, but minor money chance only.

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