Race Reviews

KOREA RACING REPORT: OCTOBER 16-18: VICTORY CHAMP, CLUTCH DERBY TAKE OUT JUVENILE SERIES SECOND LEGS / SEO SEUNG-UN REACHES 1000 WINNERS

Two-year-olds took centre-stage as both Busan and Seoul held their respective legs of the Juvenile Series. The south-coast kicked things off on Friday as VICTORY CHAMP won the Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed) at Busan while two days later in a rainstorm in the capital, CLUTCH DERBY took the honours in the NACF Chairman’s Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed).

Clutch Derby goes clear in the wet (Pic: KRA)

Victory Champ (by Old Fashioned) was sent off as the 3.1 favourite for Busan’s Friday leg on the strength of his ten-length win on debut. He justified that and then some as he dominated the rest of the fourteen-strong field to win by two-and-a-half lengths. Gangseo-gu Mayor’s Trophy runner-up Eclipse Vision was 2nd – for the fourth time – while another maiden, Doctor Atlantic was 3rd. Jin Kyum was aboard the winner for trainer Min Jang-gi in the colours of Korea’s most prolific owner Lee Jong-hun. Gangseo-gu winner Lavender Crown never got going and was a well-beaten 8th.

At Seoul the NACF Chairman’s Trophy was run in a torrential downpour on Sunday afternoon, and Clutch Derby (by Cairo Prince) began as a 2.1 favourite to overturn his defeat at the hands of Major Fury in the Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy a month ago. Overturn it he did, setting the early pace along with A.K Sun and the pair of them would go on to run 1st and 2nd, with Major Fury three lengths back in 3rd. Lee Dong-ha was aboard the winner for trainer Choi Yong-geon and owners Joa Contrutction.

Separate up until now, the Seoul and “Yeongnam” (Busan and Yeongcheon) branches of the Juvenile Series, will come together for the final leg, and Victory Champ and Clutch Derby will both be expected to be among those who face off in the Breeders’ Cup Rookie (1400M KOR-G2) at Seoul on December 6 to determine the champion juvenile of 2026.

Busan on Friday saw the other main story of the weekend as Seo Seung-un became just the fifth Korean jockey to pass 1000 career winners. The milestone occurred in the concluding race 9 (1200M Class 2) as Seo guided GEUMA ADPEPT (Complexity) to an all the way victory.  Seo debuted as a jockey in 2011, winning aboard his first race ride, and the “Little Giant” has scarcely looked back since with twenty-eight of those thousand victories coming at Group level.

Seo’s 1000 had been expected to be brought up in race 2 (1200M Class 6) with Seo aboard the 1.4 favourite Special First. However, they could only manage 3rd as B.K. RICH (Nitrous) took the win at odds of 18.8 under Jo In-kwon. Debut-maker Perfect Seogwi, a 66.4 outsider also beat the odds-on favourite with a smart 2nd place and may be worth a follow going forward.

Jin Kyum had a productive Friday as not only did he win on Victory Champ, he partnered BRAVO YOUNG (Race Day) to a six-length maiden win in race 3 (1300M Class 6) – also for trainer Min Jang-gi – and after winning the feature he wasn’t done, as he then rode 1.7 favourite GLOBAL PRINCE (Shackleford) to an all the way score in race 8 (1800M Class 3). Global Prince was the first of a late double for trainer Lee Sang-young, who also trains Geuma Adept.

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Sunday Seoul & Yeongcheon: Race-By-Race Preview (October 17)

Sunday’s racing is at Seoul (11-races from 10:35 to 17:55) and at Yeongcheon (6-races from 12:45 to 16:30). The feature is at Seoul where the capital runs its second leg of the Juvenile Series, the NACF Chairman’s Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed), which is race 8 on the program:

Major Fury and Clutch Derby will clash again in the NACF Chairman’s Trophy (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maiden fillies with seven of the eleven racing for the first time. (10) SAVE QUEEN trialed up well before debuting on September 6th over 1200M and settling midfield before running on to finish 4th of eleven. She should have come on for that run and won’t need to improve much to beat this modest looking set of rivals. (5) HAKSAN SMARTY put in a fair effort on her debut on September 19th, starting slowly but quickening for 5th. She too should have derived benefit from that and can get closer. Turning to the debut-makers, (7) TIGER CHAMP was the best in trials, finishing a close 2nd in a decent time and if she brings that form to the races, she won’t be far away. (11) FLYING PARTY and (3) WONDER FLEX others who could make an impact.

Selections(10) Save Queen (5) Haksan Smarty (7) Tiger Champ (11) Flying Party
Next Best3, 8
Fast Start2, 3, 7, 8

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with three of the eleven racing for the first time. (4) LUNA SOCKS has been a beaten favourite in both her starts to date, finishing 3rd on debut over 1000M in August and then 5th over this distance on October 5th when she used up a lot of energy to lead from a wide draw. She draws much better today, and she is well worth another chance. (7) BEST FRIEND only just scraped through a qualification trial but ran solidly on debut on August 29th for 3rd place over 1200M showing handy throughout. He should have come on for the run and can be in this. (5) PUREUNDOLPUNG was an improved 4th at start number two in an all-filly maiden over 1200M on September 12th. Like Luna Socks, third-up she can be peaking and should be a threat. (11) GEOSEN GIPPEUM and (10) SISLI could also improve from their respective debuts.

Selections(4) Luna Socks (7) Best Friend (5) Pureundolpung (11) Geosen Gippeum
Next Best10, 1
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 7

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) DAREURI YEOWANG enters off a best to date 2nd place over 1300M when coming from the widest gate and running on. She comes into a much better gate this time around and she is faovured to go one better. (11) MIGHTY POINT debuted back in March and ran a fair 5th of eleven. He hasn’t raced since but looked well enough when not asked for much in a September trial and Franco’s booking suggests he may be worth an each-way chance in a race that the favourite aside, isn’t very deep. (2) COMPASS FORCE was a fair 3rd last time out in a slowly run race over 1300M. Her one previous try at this trip was her worst so far but in this company she can be close. (5) GOSANBONG and (4) CHEONDUNGUIBULKKOT look to be the other chances.

Selections(3) Dareuri Yeowang (11) Mighty Point (2) Compass Force (5) Gosanbong
Next Best4, 10
Fast Start3, 5, 8, 9

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(9) ANYANG LASER enters off back-to-back runner-up finishes at this class both over 1800M and both times having led for much of the way. He cuts back in trip, an apprentice takes his weight down, and he could well win this. (10) ROYAL HOPE K was a winner on debut over 1000M in June and then followed up with a narrow score at this class and distance on August 9th. He was well back in the Listed Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup on September 13th, but he returns to shallower waters today and will start as favourite. (3) WINNER NAMCHON is yet to win but is up in class following two consecutive 2nd place finishes, most recently over this distance on September 13th and under a very light weight, she can measure up. (4) NASCA BULCHUNGGAEK and (5) BEST A ONE others to consider.

Selections(9) Anyang Laser (10) Royal Hope K (3) Winner Namchon (4) Nasca Bulchunggaek
Next Best5, 2
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 10

Yeongcheon Race 1: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

After an emphatic win on debut over 1000M, (7) SERAPH was sent off as favourite for the Rookie Stakes in August when, in bad weather, she led but got caught late, and then again in the Listed Gangseo-gu Mayor’s Trophy on September 11th when she did exacrly the same thing. She comes into much shallower waters here, the short home straight at Yeongcheon may suit, and she really should stay the 1200M this time. (9) ROAD TO NUMBER ONE enters off a class and distance 2nd at Busan on September 6th. She has been very consistent across seven starts to date, and she should be in the mix again. Veteran (11) GOLDEN POINT showed a liking for Yeongcheon when running 2nd at this class and distance on October 4th and while up 2kg in weight, he can be close again. (8) OASIS HEUIMANG and (5) GREAT STAR other place chances.

Selections(7) Seraph (9) Road To Number One (11) Golden Point (8) Oasis Heuimang
Next Best5, 6
Fast Start7, 8, 9, 10

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

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GANGPUNGMA SOARS TO PRESIDENT’S CUP GLORY

Gangpungma backed up his July KRA Cup Classic victory with an even more commanding performance to win the President’s Cup (2000M KOR-G1) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. The “Big Four” who all skipped last month’s Korea Cup, filled out the first four positions with 2024 winner Global Hit in 2nd, 2025 winner Speed Young 3rd, and Success Baekpa 4th.

(Pic: KRA)

Ridden for the first time by Jang Chu-youl in the absence of the injured Jo Jae-ro, who had been his jockey in all but one of his previous twenty-nine starts, Gangpungma was sent off as the 2.3 market elect for the season’s penultimate Group 1 test.

Having settled right at the back of the field, Gangpungma eased into contention on the home turn and then cruised away seemingly effortlessly for a six-length win on the line. 

It was a first Group 1 success not only for Gangpungma but also for jockey Jang, trainer Kim Dong-chul and owner Park Nam-sung. At six-years-old, Gangpungma is the oldest President’s Cup winner since Triple Nine won his fourth in 2018.

“I felt very comfortable right from the start” winning jockey Jang told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “Really not a single moment of unease, (Gangpungma) traveled so well that I thought he was going to take off and start flying. The start was good and the pace was perfect so I could afford to take it easy. It was a lot of fun.”

(Pic: KRA)

Three-year-old Funny Wild was well supported as fourth favourite in the market but while the double Classic winner did set the early pace, he was among the first beaten when the established stars started to press, ultimately finishing in 9th place.

For Global Hit it was a 5th runner-up finish in as many starts in 2026, while Speed Young and Success Baekpa ran their usual solid races.

The seven-lengths between Success Baekpa and Giant Step, who led home the rest in 5th, was perhaps indicative of the gulf in quality that exists in the longer distance races at the moment. With no Clean One, there is little reason to believe that any others besides the big four (assuming that up and coming imported star Roshe does not run) have any serious winning chance the Grand Prix (2300M KOR-G1), the final Group 1 race of the season on December 6.

Korea Racing Report: October 9-11

GANGPUNGMA RULED THE SHOW GAINING GROUP ONE GLORY IN THE PRESIDENT’S CUP IN SEOUL ON SUNDAY BUT ON THE UNDERCARD AN 1800M CLASS 3 FOR DOMESTIC REARED HORSES WAS THE MAIN HANDICAP AND THE EVER-CONSISTENT FLYING HONOR proved he is only getting better and better with an outstanding runaway seven-length victory over two other smart three-year-old’s in Live Star and Concord Codie.

Flying Honor (To Honor And Serve) scored by seven-lengths, and it could have been further if jockey Johan Victoire wanted it to be, as the 4.1 second choice with Live Star who was the 5.8 third favourite finishing one-and-a-half lengths ahead of the 2.4 favourite Concord Codie in 2nd and 3rd places. Johan Victoire is the regular partner of Flying Honor and he was completing a double after a similarly easy victory on GEUPHAENG YEOLCHA (Union Rags) who lived up to her name in Race 7 (1600M Class 4) running away from her rivals like an express train in the home straight to score by six-lengths and in doing so the American bred filly was recording her first win at start twelve following multiple minor placings.

Race 11 (1400M Class 3) was the concluding contest and JJARITHAN HAENGBOK (Maximus Mischief) was another winner for the combination of jockey Kozzi Asano, trainer Choi Yong-geon and owner Woo Tae-yul which have a winning strike of almost 40% across the past couple of months. Jjarithan Haengbok was a winner at odds of 30.6 when ridden for the first time by Asano in August before a 2nd last month, where he attempted to bite the rival that kicked back to beat him as they crossed the line, but made no mistake here scoring by two-and-a-half lengths at odds of 4.6 over the Australian bred three-year-old South Carnival which was the 2.5 favourite. Cheongung Storm, who was the horse that Jjarithan Haengbok went to bite last month, was the 9.0 third choice and finished 6th after leading.

TIGER MANGCHI (Old Fashioned) was stepping right up in trip when running in Race 9 (1700M Class 4) and was also ridden very differently by Kim Yong-geun with front-running tactics applied but that did not stop the three-year-old gelding from bouncing back into the winners list by four-lengths as the 2.1 favourite. He only made his debut in June and is now the winner of three races from four starts.

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President’s Cup Sunday Seoul & Yeongcheon: Race-By-Race Preview (October 11)

The penultimate local Group 1 of the season takes place on Sunday with the President’s Cup at Seoul. The big race is the 8th on an 11-race card at Seoul which runs from 10:35 to 17:55. There are also 6 races at Yeongcheon from 12:45 to 16:30. Here are the previews:

Speed Young won the President’s Cup a year ago (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with all but one racing for the first time. (11) CYBER TIGER settled handy in his trial, before running on for 2nd behind a nice-looking winner. The draw shouldn’t be a problem, Maia stays on, and he has every chance of winning first up. (6) VERY LUCKY was a close 2nd in his trial, showing on pace throughout. From a central draw, he can aim to lead here and could go all the way. (7) LUCKY EUNPA won her trial, leading all the way around and stopping the clock in a fair time. If she brings that form to the races, then she can be a big chance here. (4) RUN TO WIN trialed up fairly, seven-lengths behind G B Queen, who was a debut-winner last week. Seo Seung-un’s booking means he will have backers. (2) GHOST PLASH another who hinted at ability in his heat.

Selections(11) Cyber Tiger (6) Very Lucky (7) Lucky Eunpa (4) Run To Win
Next Best2, 5
Fast Start4, 5, 6, 7

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Fillies only in this maiden with four of the eleven racing for the first time. (10) RAON POLIS has a 3rd and a 2nd from two starts so far, at 1000M and most recently at this distance on September 12th, coming from off the pace. Third-up she can be peaking and she has as good a chance as any here. (3) FOREVER HIT raced twice last autumn for a 3rd and a 4th but then didn’t re-appear until this September 5th when she ran a solid 4th place over 1300M in a similar maiden to this. She should have come on for the run, and she can get closer today. (7) MIGHTY MULAN was an improved 3rd at start number two in a very quick race over 1000M on August 29th, showing on the speed. She comes up in trip for the first time and can be in the finish. Those are the three main chances, with (9) TAKE CHARM looking the best of the first timers, while from a good draw, fellow debut-maker (2) CHEONGUN BISANG could also challenge.

Selections(10) Raon Polis (3) Forever Hit (7) Mighty Mulan (9) Take Charm
Next Best2, 4
Fast Start3, 4, 7, 9

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

After a couple of solid trials, (7) WORLD OF DREAM was a good winner on debut over this distance on September 13th, racing handy throughout and running on well. He comes up in class here but is down in weight, draws fairly, and he can maintain his 100% record. (6) MYEONGSEONG PARTY was similarly a winner on debut, in her case over 1000M on September 6th when close to the speed and taking things up late. She is up in class and in trip and while she can’t get a weight break, she can measure up. (8) SEVEN KAISER broke through at this class and distance on August 15th, racing on pace throughout. He is up 2.5kg in weight, but Andre stays on and is not to be dismissed. (1) SUNGLASS and last start winner (4) B.K. DEVIL are others in the frame.

Selections(7) World Of Dream (6) Myeongseong Party (8) Seven Kaiser (1) Sunglass
Next Best4, 3
Fast Start4, 6, 7, 9

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

(1) COSMO LONG went around in all three legs of the Triple Tiara and while she was well back in all of them, she returned to shallower waters and ran 5th on August 15th. She has placed at this distance and with Franco on for the first time, this looks winnable. (5) HAKSAN SWORD is a bit of a form mixer, but he got his solitary win to date over this trip, and he enters following a close 2nd at class and distance on September 13th. He has his fair share of weight but can sit behind the speed and be a danger. (3) SONGDANGMANGCHI races for the first time since winning at this class and distance on January of 2025.  Caution must be applied to any horse returning from an eighty-nine-week lay-off, but he certainly looked well enough when 2nd in a summer trial to suggest that in this company he can go well first-up. (2) SAMJEONG YEOJE and (7) INSPIRE others in the hunt.

Selections(1) Cosmo Long (5) Haksan Sword (3) Songdangmangchi (2) Samjeong Yeoje
Next Best7, 4
Fast Start2, 7, 10, 11

Yeongcheon Race 1: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(10) DUBAI DREAM can have a line drawn through his latest on September 18th when the reins broke with five furlongs left to travel. He had won his two races leading up to that over 1400M and a mile and he heads to Yeongcheon for the first time and looks nicely in ere to recoup and then some the 3 Million Won fine Lim Sung-sil copped for the faulty gear. It’s not a strong race. (3) OVER RAINBOW was a winner over this distance two starts back and then ran 5th from a wide gate at big odds on his first try at tis class on September 11th. He draws better today and can be close. (5) SINCHEON FREEDOM should be on pace and this is the kind of race were she can pick up some prize money. (1) CHOEGANG LOUIS and (4) BEOLGYO MABEOPSA other place chances.

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“Lamborghini” Fantastic Value Drives To Easy Jeju Governor’s Win

“The horse is a Lamborghini!” jockey Seo Seung-un remarked as he was led back to scale after Fantastic Value crushed fifteen rivals to emphatically win the Jeju Governor’s Cup (1400M KOR-G3), the first leg of the Queens’ Tour Fall/Winter at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Nobody had told Fantastic Value that this race had been billed as one of the deepest and most competitive of the season. Sent off fourth best in the market behind Gladius, defending champion Boryeonglightqueen, and this year’s Luna Stakes winner Clearly Winner, Fantastic Value broke from gate eight of sixteen and quickly went to the lead and from then on, it was a procession.

Under Seo Seung-un, the 2025 Korean Oaks winner continually extended her lead and had the race wrapped up a furlong from home, Seo having the luxury to ease down as Fantastic Value comfortably secured a first Group win for trainer Son Byeong-chul, who only set up in his own right this summer.

“I’m really happy to win this for the new trainer” Seo Seung-un went on to tell KRBC, following his Lambourghini comment to the assembled crowd. “There was no specific decision made that I should aim to lead to or sit back or anything, just to do what felt best on the day and (Fantastic Value’s) condition was excellent so I thought it is ok to go to the lead.”

“She was champion filly at three, since then there have been some ups and downs, but she felt very good in a trial, so I had a really good feeling about this.”

Fantastic Value won the Luna Stakes and the Korean Oaks in 2025 before coming up short as Boryeonglightqueen – who is now in the care of Fantastic Value’s original trainer Lim Keum-man – won the final leg of the Triple Tiara, the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup, last June. Fantastic Value somewhat lost her way after that, before roaring back in to form by winning the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2), the second leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer in April.

The ever-dependable Raon Forest got the closest in 2nd place with 80/1 chance Yeosu Super Star finishing in 3rd, the same as she had in the KNN Cup at the end of May, at similarly big odds.  Among the pre-race favourites, Gladius was 10th, while Boryeonglightqueen ran on late but only managed to get up to 8th. Clearly Winner was a fair 4th while Jeulgeounyeojeong, who won this race in both 2023 and 2024, was a decent 5th on her second start back following a nine-month layoff.

A four-year-old by Afleet Express and out of Union Belle (by Dixie Union), Fantastic Value moves on to seven wins from eighteen starts. The Queens’ Tour resumes in a month’s time with the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Busan on October 23rd.

There is no racing in Korea next weekend due to the Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) holiday. Racing will return on Friday October 2.

Korea Sprint 2026 – Form Comments

Korea Sprint (1200M)

Form Comments

1. BEOLGYOUI KKUM (KOR) – It was all the way back in July 2024 that Beolgyoui Kkum last won a race, but he has established himself as a regular minor money winner at class 1 level, generally finishing in the top five in big handicaps. He was an on-pace 4th at odds of 90/1 in the G3 SBS Sports Sprint, but was 7th in the SROA Chairman’s Sprint and then well back in the G3 Owners’ Cup in June. Goes best on pace but doesn’t look a winning threat in this company.

2. VINCERO CAVALLO (KOR) – Swept last year’s Sprint Series and won the first two legs of this year’s but came unstuck in the final one when 3rd to Born Dia and was then well-beaten in a class 1 tune-up in July. Whether that’s a blip, rather than a more significant loss of form is key. 6th in this race two years ago, he missed a prep for last year’s edition and came in undercooked. At his best, he is a winning contender, but plenty of question marks and the draw may not be ideal for him if he gets stuck in traffic.

3. AMERICAN STAGE (USA) – Well traveled four-year-old who finished 4th behind Bentornarto in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar last October and in the same position in the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint in February. Most recent effort a 5th in the G3 Ibis Summer Dash at Niigata over 1000M. Differs from most Japanese contenders for this race in that he is a true sprinter rather and a horse who gets at least 1400M. He draws beautifully, he has loads of speed and if he gets to the lead, he may be hard to catch. No questioning the international campaigning credentials of his stable.

4. FINAL K (USA) – Won five of his first seven starts before suffering and injury that kept him off the track from June of last year to April of this. He picked up right from where he left off, winning at class 1 level over 1200M before finishing a creditable 6th in the G2 SROA Chairman’s Sprint in May. He then took a narrow class 1 win, coming from midfield in June. He will need to go up another level here but shapes as the potential wildcard among the local challengers.

5. MUNHAK BOY (KOR) – Looked a potential star a year ago and took big race glory when winning the G3 Kookje Shinmun over 1400M at Busan last October. He hasn’t kicked on since though and has been well back in all four starts of 2026, including two trips to Busan for the G2 Busan Mayor’s Cup at 1800M and G3 Owners’ Cup at a mile. Dropped back to sprinting but hard to see him making an impact on recent form.

6. SILVER RAIN (KOR) – Broke through at Listed level as a juvenile and has steadily worked his way through the grades as a sprinter. He scored a breakthrough 5th place in the G2 SROA Chairman’s Sprint in May before running 3rd behind Final K at class 1 level in June. 2nd last time out when giving away a lot of weight at class 2 level. He hasn’t won since October 2025 and doesn’t shape as a winning chance here.

7. DRAGON WELDS (USA) – Up and coming sprinter from Japan, who is three for three in 2026, racing on pace each time, most recently winning the Listed Tokyo Sprint over 1200M at Oi in April. He comes in fresh having not raced since but Japanese visitors have successfully pulled that off before in this race and while he is yet to be tested among the elite at home, he could well be ready. Big chance.

8. WINNER CLEAR (KOR) – Known for having beaten Clean One in a Listed Juvenile event two years ago, he has stayed at sprint distances. He kicked off this year with a win at class 1 level and then took part in all three legs of the Sprint Series, finishing 2nd, 5th and 2nd. He likes to come from off the pace so he will be challenging late and should beat plenty, but the winner may have already gone. One of the best local hopes.

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KOREA RACING REPORT: AUGUST 21-23

AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY A 1200M CLASS 2 WAS THE LAST OF THIRTY-FIVE THOROUGHBRED RACES ACROSS KOREA FOR THE WEEKEND AND RAON SILENCE recorded a comfortable win from an on-pace role giving jockey Jo Jae-ro a second winner of the day and a fifth winner for the weekend (writes Luke Humphreys).

Raon Silence (Musket Man) had been caught on the line at her previous start and chased home Roshe the time prior but proved too good by four-lengths as the 2.2 favourite with Drone Killer, 7.3, and Spalta, 6.8, doing the chasing for the minors with Excellent Tan, 8.1, and Star Trek, 7.5, in 6th and 8th places respectively.

Jo Jae-ro had earlier rode a winner that was just as impressive in the shape of SINGSING NASHE (Nashville) who produced one of the more impressive two-year-old performances of the season so far with an excellent seven-length front-running victory in Race 2 (1000M Class 4) which followed up his thirteen-length trial win on July 23. Whilst the track was fast the time of 58.8 seconds was outstanding and was just a half-second slower than both the class and course record.

Race 9 (1800M Class 3) saw GENERAL WIND (Yeonseung Daero) bounce back to form with a four-length success from the front under Furkan Yuksel justifying an odds-on quote of 1.6. General Wind has proven to be a smart type when controlling the race from the top however had bombed out at his previous start when unable to take the lead away from The Derby winner Hwang Geum Eo Jang and subsequently working hard but he had almost no competition this time not just in the run but also at the finish.

A Spanish named colt with a Spanish speaking jockey were the winners of Race 4 (1300M Class 5) with QUERENCIA (Concord Point) and Luis Quiroz eventually getting on top in a three-way photo finish. The winning trainer was Jung Ho-ik who completed a double when GLOBAL SERVE (To Honor And Serve) landed Race 7 (1200M Class 4) and that completed a double for Kozzi Asano as the Tony Castanheira trained FLYING SMART (Old Fashioned) earlier had won Race 5 (1300M Class 5) by a nose as the 3.0 favourite despite coming from midfield and receiving kickback.

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KOREA RACING REPORT – AUGUST 14-17 (ROOKIE STAKES)

IT WAS ROOKIE STAKES DAY IN KOREA LAST SUNDAY AND THE SEOUL VERSION SAW HOPE K record a second success in the race for owner Kang Gyeong-un after his colours were famously carried to success by Lala K three years ago (writes Luke Humphreys).

Dubai Heart claimed the Busan Rookie Stakes (Pic: KRA)

Hope K (Mitole) landed the prize in much distinct style to Lala K’s viral victory however as he led throughout to land the money by five-lengths for jockey Lee Dong-ha and trainer Moon Byeong-ki. Hope K was recording his second win at start three and beat the 4.4 second favourite, and previously unbeaten, Major Fury into 2nd. The other favourites were South Carnival, 5.0, who had beaten Hope K at the end of May, who finished 6th and the Luigi Riccardi prepared Johan Victoire ridden Kkumui Yeonsok, 2.3, who was the popular pick with punters after his sensational win on debut, but he was slow at the start and was never closer than second last.

Trainer Moon Byeong-ki completed a double when winning the concluding Race 10 (1200M Class 4) with PANGPANG DAERO (Frosted) who as the 4.2 second favourite led throughout from the inside gate to land the spoils by two-lengths at his first attempt at Class 4. Cheongsan Dolpung was 2nd whilst 3.9 favourite Sahara Khan did well to run 3rd after a poor start ahead of Ikkeulim, Ever Glory and Forever Gil in 4th, 5th, and 6th.

Whilst naturally the Rookie Stakes was the feature of the meeting Race 9 would have been the main race on the day on any normal card. It was an 1800M Class 1 and five-year-old mare GLADIUS (Boys At Tosconova) on her first run against the boys since February of last year, when she beat them by eight-lengths, proved way too good by a margin of nine-lengths despite being very wide throughout the contest. The grey mare is one of the most consistent horses in the country and no doubt her win would have been a huge confidence booster leading into the Queen’s Tour races this coming Autumn. Zetta Master, at this stage the only Seoul based horse entered in the Korea Cup, came from last as he always does to be 2nd whilst Musket Day, a Listed winner in May, was 3rd ahead of longtime leader No Problem in 4th. The disappointment of the race was the 2.9 favourite Best Race who had been best of the rest behind Roshe in the Owner’s Cup at his previous start. He had run over 1800M or further just twice in his career when 12th in both last year’s Derby and Minister’s Cup and the trip proved too far for him especially considering he was on pace in the run.

There were multiple trainers and jockeys that had winning doubles on the day, and they included Tony Castanheira who had a race-to-race double at that with HOT FEVER (Old Fashioned) in Race 3 (1300M Class 5) and BEONGAE LEWIS (Uncaptured) in Race 4 (1400M Class 5). Hot Fever was recording her first win at start ten and pinched the prize from the front under Kozzi Asano whilst Beongae Lewis followed up his twelve-length trial win and six-length debut win with a four-length score as the 1.6 favourite sixty-five minutes later and is a three-year-old colt to keep following.

Lee Hyeok was the winning jockey on Beongae Lewis, and he completed a double when YONGBIGYO (Nitrous) was a smart nine-length winner from the front in Race 7 (1600M Class 4) on her Class 4 debut. She comfortably accounted for the 1.8 favourite Raon Finalle who was finishing 2nd for the third consecutive start.

Kang Hwan-min trained a double with SAMJEONG YEOJE (Cowboy Cal) winning by four-lengths in Race 2 (1300M Class 6) before ONE DIA (Independence) won Race 5 (1400M Class 5) as the 2.8 favourite with Furkan Yuksel. The winning rider on Samjeong Yeoje was Kim Yong-geun and he completed a pair of wins on the day when NAMSAN ROCK (Known Agenda) scored by nine-lengths as the 1.9 favourite in Race 6 (1400M Class 4).

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KOREA RACING REPORT: AUGUST 7-9

THE MAIN RACE THIS WEEKEND IN KOREA WAS THE CONCLUDING CONTEST AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY IN THE SHAPE OF A 1200M CLASS 1 HANDICAP AND WITH LESS THAN THREE-LENGTHS COVERING THE FIRST EIGHT HOME IN THE ELEVEN-RUNNER FIELD IT WAS KING HONOR who landed the prize completing a treble on the day for rider Kim Yong-geun (writes Luke Humphreys).

The consistent King Honor (To Honor And Serve) came from midfield to score at his very first attempt at the grade over 2.6 favourite Hansen Bracing with the ever-consistent Ziggurat in 3rd. One of the roughies in the field in Geosen Bangyeok looked the winner for most of the way down the straight before peaking on the run in the final 100M with Daehan Jilju, Mighty Look, Yongam Sesang, and J S Road, 4.0 second favourite, filling the next four places in an outstanding finale to the weekend.

The Oaks winner CATCH RACE (Afleet Express) bounced back to winning ways in Race 9 (1600M Class 3) with an effortless five-length victory as the 1.3 favourite. She had put the writing on the wall in the Luna Stakes (Korean 1000 Guineas) prior to her last gasp Oaks victory before being beaten in similar fashion to the way she defeated Clearly Winner in The Oaks when 2nd to Sunrise in the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup. She never looked like losing and defeated co-favourites Namsan Belt, 7.7, and longtime leader Baro Danaeun, 9.2.

MUJEOK HAMDAE (Mischieviously) scored for Furkan Yuksel as the 3.1 favourite in Race 7 (1800M Class 4), one of multiple wins across the weekend for trainer Lee Shin-woo. Mujeok Hamdae was first up since the beginning of April when chasing home Gwanaksan Sky and came from midfield to score by one-and-a-quarter lengths.

TIGER BULPAE (Power Blade) broke through at the ninth time of asking in Race 6 (1400M Class 5) and justified punters confidence winning by two-and-a-half lengths as the 1.7 favourite. The three-year-old filly had finished either 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th in each of her eight previous runs but finally was able to better all those results and did it well. Kim Yong-geun was the winning jockey and that was the first of his three wins on the day.

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