Race Reviews

Korea Racing Report: July 3-5

SUNDAY AT SEOUL SAW A 1200M CLASS 1 AS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEKEND AND THE POSSIBLE LAST RUN FOR SOME OF SEOUL’S BEST SPRINTERS BEFORE SEPTEMBER’S INTERNATIONAL KOREA SPRINT AND IT SAW KOREA’S BEST SPRINTER BOMB OUT WHILST THE ENIGMATIC NICE FORCE showed that on his day, he can really match it with the best of them as he produced a win from the top under Ruan Maia (writes Luke Humphreys).

Nice Force (Mor Spirit), 9.6 fourth favourite, had gone into the inaugural running of the KRA Sprint on Grand Prix Day last year as an odds-on favourite but bombed out and had been inconsistent in five runs since. On Sunday he showed his best form and it was good enough to run the legs off his rivals and score by three-quarters of a length. Haksan Speed, who had run very well in the Busan Ilbo and SBS Sports Sprints, put his poor SROA Chairman’s Sprint run behind him with a 2nd place finish as the 4.3 second choice with Something Lost in 3rd. The 4.9 third favourite Crown Hamseong has been up and down in form this year and was only 6th after receiving every chance in the run.

However, the talking point out of the race is the performance of Korea’s best sprinter Vincero Cavallo who was never closer than midfield and ultimately finished 9th of ten. He got himself out of a tricky rearward position on the rail in the run to finish a never nearer 3rd in the SROA Sprint and was in a similar position in this race, but there appeared to be fewer excuses this time. Vets found no abnormalities.

SU BU TAI (Concord Point) came from off the pace to score in Race 6 (1400M Class 5). The 7.4 chance provided the first Korean winner for former Selangor Turf Club champion jockey Andre Luis Da Silva, the pair overturning the favourite and long-time leader Pasa Queen in the last half-furlong. The Brazilian rider landed 72 winners in Malaysia in 2025, a full twenty-seven clear of his nearest rival. It had been a lengthy visa and insurance process for Da Silva who has now hit the ground running in a license that initially runs to the end of this year.

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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.

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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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)

Born Dia Denies Vincero Cavallo Double Sprint Series Sweep

Vincero Cavallo was denied a second consecutive clean sweep of the Korean Sprint Series and ultimately had to settle for 3rd as Born Dia led all the way to win the SROA Chairman’s Sprint (1200M KOR-G2) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Born DIa holds off Winner Clear (Pic: KRA)

After sending him off as the second favourite in both the first two legs of the series, punters this time finally had full faith in Vincero Cavallo, making him the 1.4 marker elect. Born Dia meanwhile was the joint second-longest shot on the board at 82.7.

From gate ten, Seo Gang-ju had a surprisingly easy time taking Born Dia across to the lead where they settled and made steady progress. Vincero Cavallo meanwhile settled midfield among a crowd of jostling horses and was quickly hemmed in on the fence.

With plenty of energy left in the home straight, Born Dia was able to keep lifting and held off the fast finishing Winner Clear by half a length, with Vincero Cavallo, who at no point in the race looked a winning chance, two lengths back in 3rd.  

“I’ve worked hard since debuting, and it is nice to get the chance in a major race and to win” jockey Seo Gang-ju told KRBC after claiming his first Graded winner.

“I couldn’t be sure of the win until the very end, I knew that Vincero Cavallo and Winner Clear would be coming and that we had to stand our ground.  Born Dia did that very well.”

(Pic: KRA)

Winning trainer Kwon Sung-ju told KRBC that the win made amends for a disappointing showing in the SBS Sports. “There is probably no faster starter (than Born Dia) at Seoul or Busan, but when she’s challenged, she has problems as happened in the previous race….Seo Gang-ju had his instructions and he carried them out perfectly and I’m really grateful to him.”

Winner Clear couldn’t quite get there although trainer Baik Kwang-yeol thought for a moment that he might. “I thought we’d won” he conceded to KRBC. “We finished strongly but the finish line came just too early. No regrets, we did our best”  

As for Jo Jae-ro, beaten on Vincero Cavallo, he said his opposition’s game plan worked very well: “They broke away well, secured the lead as planned and then they managed their energy very effectively. There were a few collisions in there, a lot of bumping and I think ultimately (Vincero Cavallo) didn’t have enough left after that to show his usual sprinting performance. There were no other problems but sometimes the race doesn’t go as planned.”

Born Dia is a five-year-old mare by With Distinction and out of T P Mc G (by Flatter). T P Mc G was unraced but has also foaled multiple Korean winners such as Seungbusa and Black Mamba. The five-year-old is owned by Son Byeong-hyeon and moves on to seven wins from twenty-four starts.

Korea Racing Report: May 15-17

AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY BORN DIA LED THROUGHOUT TO WIN THE COUNTRY’S BIGGEST LOCAL SPRINT RACE BUT THERE WAS PLENTY OF GOOD ACTION ON THE UNDERCARD. MUSKET DAY was the winner of the supporting Sports Chosun Trophy (KOR-LR) over 2000M by five-lengths in a race dominated by the backmarkers (writes Luke Humphreys).

Musket Cleaver won the Listed Sprots Chosun (Pic: KRA)

Musket Day (Musket Man) came into the race with very consistent form and won easily under Jang Chu-youl as the 4.3 second favourite over Wonderful Northern who was best of the group of six that broke away up in front, ridden the most conservatively of them, finishing 2nd. Taepyeong Hero was 3rd with Zetta Master from his standard rearward position making late ground for 4th. Daeseong Star, 2.9 favourite, could only manage 5th after racing on the pace with the 2024 Derby winner Eunpa Sarang blowing his chance at the start with a horrible beginning and was a never nearer 6th. No Problem could only run 7th after being one of those that was prominent whilst Mandaero was 8th in the final ride in Korea before returning to Malaysia for Harry Kasim.

The victory of Musket Day completed a training double for Moon Byeong-ki after PANGPANG DAERO (Frosted) landed Race 4 (1200M Class 5) by three-lengths and in doing so broke his maiden at the sixth time of asking.

Elsewhere on the card the concluding 1400M Class 3 was landed by the admirable seven-furlong specialist CLUB Q (Revolutionary) who made it six wins from ten starts with a one-and-a-quarter length victory as the 3.1 favourite over Orion Alpha with the up in trip Cheonmahoryeong finishing 3rd                                                                                                                     

GLOBAL CHAMP (Gaon Champ) continued his progression in Race 6 (1600M Class 4) following up his late closing win on April 18 with an eight-length romp under CC Wong at generous odds of 2.2. He has now won four races from six starts and the locally bred Jeon Seung-gyu prepared gelding is one to keep watching.

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HWANG GEUM EO JJANG GOES ALL THE WAY TO WIN KOREAN DERBY

There will be no Triple Crown winner in 2026 with KRA Cup Mile winner Funny Wild having to settle for 3rd as Hwang Geum Eo Jjang proved too good in winning the Korean Derby (1800M KOR-G1) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Hwang Geum Eo Jjang and Lee Dong-ha win the Derby (Pic: KRA)

With light rain having fallen since the early morning, wet conditions awaited the field for the Derby, which on Friday had been reduced to fifteen with the scratching of Hey Brother. Funny Wild was sent off as a 3.0 favourite locally.

With three wins already over 1800M, Doctor Chis was the second favourite but was crossed early and used up plenty of energy to get back to his favoured postion. He was ultimately one of the first beaten in the home straight.

The horse doing the crossing was HWANG GEUM EO JJANG who was ridden aggressively to the lead by jockey Lee Dong-ha. The 7.0 chance would go on to lead all the way around, comfortably seeing off a late challenge by Fantastic Force by a length and a half on the line with Funny Wild a further three-quarters back in 3rd.

Aside from Hwang Geum Eo Jjang and Funny Wild, the rest of the first seven finishers all came from well off the pace. Just like in the KRA Cup Mile, the other front-runners all fell away.

(Pic: KRA)

“It doesn’t feel real yet” winning jockey Lee Dong-ha told KRBC. “But it kept appearing in my dreams for the past three days. Good dreams and bad dreams, I just couldn’t wait to get to race day and fortunately it ended with a really good result. It feels so good.”

It was also a first Derby win for trainer Song Moon-gil. “I’ve been fortunate enough to win some big races, but I had never won the Derby before” he remarked to KRBC. “So it is kind of a dream come true.”

“We expected the number 1 (Doctor Chris) to go forward so the plan was to stick with him. I told the jockey to ride with confidence and without regrets, don’t’ worry about what the others are doing and we will have a good result.”

Song also revealed that he was behind Hwang Geum Eo Jjang’s unheralded sire, Nasca Prince, a horse who he trained to six wins, becoming a stallion.

“Hwang Geum Eo Jjang is by Nasca Prince, who actually won here at 2300M, leading all the way. Nasca Prince was from the final crop of Vicar, whose bloodline was disappearing from our country, so I suggested to the owner that he stand him as a stallion as he might get a good distance horse. Today was 1800M but I see no reason why (Hwang Geum Eo Jjang) won’t go further.”

Nasca Prince [Vicar – Rosa Rose (by Cryptoclearance)] is the first Korean bred and raced stallion to produce a Korean Derby winner. He has only covered nine mares and produced seven foals. Hwang Geum Eo Jjang’s dam is the American bred Meinertzhageni (by Stormin Cat).

Hwang Geum Eo Jang moves onto three wins from five starts.

Taking his final ever race ride, ten-time Champion jockey Moon Se-young rode Musket Cleaver to a creditable 6th place.

The third and final leg of the Triple Crown series is the Minister’s Cup (2000M KOR-G2) at Seoul in Sunday June 7th. Next Sunday it’s the fillies with the Korean Oaks (1800M KOR-G2)m the second leg of the Triple Tiara, at Busan.

Korea Racing Report: May 1-3

IT WAS DERBY DAY AT SEOUL ON SUNDAY AND WHILST THE PRINCIPAL CLASSIC TOOK THE LIMELIGHT THE OPENING RACE WAS ALSO SIGNIFICANT WITH MOON SE-YOUNG WINNING ON THE SECOND LAST RIDE OF HIS STORIED CAREER ABOARD PARKA SHINE IN THE CLASS 6 1300M OPENER (writes Luke Humphreys).

Seoul Racecourse on Derby Day (Pic: KRA)

Ten-time Champion jockey Moon Se-young hadn’t ridden since a bad fall last December and recently announced his retirement ahead of taking up training duties this coming summer. However, wanting to go out on his own terms, Moon made a comeback for Derby weekend only and was able to get Parka Shine (Old Fashioned) up in the final 50-metres as the 2.2 favourite running down second favourite Hot Fever who led until the closing stages.

The closing Class 2 over 1200M was the main race bar the Derby and KING HONOR (To Honor And Serve) worked home strongly to deny the 1.5 favourite We Go High a front-running victory by one-and-a-three-quarter lengths. King Honor, the oldest horse in the field at the age of seven, had been in the minor placings at each of his two previous starts in similar races and Harry Kasim got him home to land the prize. Lala K, the viral 2023 Rookie Stakes winner, returned to form with a late closing 3rd beaten two-and-a-half lengths.

In Race 9 (1700M Class 5) WILD MAGIC (Triple Nine) was sent straight to the lead by Kim Hyo-jung and the three-year-old filly did not stop as she went on to record a comfortable six-length win in a decent time completing a double for Luigi Riccardi. It was her first win in seven attempts, and it will be interesting to see if she can be as impressive as what she was in her opening victory going forward.

The other victory for Riccardi was MASTER KWAIGON (Dynamic Dash) who was going up in trip by one-furlong and in class by one grade but that did not stop him from winning Race 5 (1400M Class 4) by two-and-a-half lengths under Jeong Jeong-hee. He continues to progress and has now won three races from eight starts.

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SUCCESS BAEKPA FENDS OFF RESURGENT GLOBAL HIT AND SPEED YOUNG IN YTN CUP

Success Baekpa took the YTN Cup by the scruff of the neck and never let go to hold off a late challenge from two-time defending champion Global Hit to win the 2nd leg of the Stayer Series (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Success Baekpa holds off Glocal Hit in the YTN (Pic: KRA)

Under Jin Kyum, Success Baekpa was ridden up from the gate to sit outside pacesetter Vet Captain, taking things up in the home straight and opening up an unassailable advantage. Global Hit loomed up late and got withing a length with Speed Young and pre-race market-elect Gangpungma 3rd and 4th.

“I wanted to avoid kickback, so I was happy to go forward and then just sit outside the leader and then manage the pace” winning jockey Jin Kyum told KRBC. “After consulting with the trainer, we decided to go to the front and while I could see Global Hit coming up into my view, I never thought that we would lose.”

“The horse really showed his best today…I feel that he has grown to the next level now and I really think on this form he can win a President’s Cup.”

Trainer Min Jang-gi was also satisfied that Success Baekpa was back at his best. “As you know, he had a break after the Grand Prix when he didn’t run well – there simply weren’t any suitable races for him. I was happy with his comeback in the Herald Business, and he lifted from that today.”

Min confirmed that he will be targeted solely at the biggest races for the rest of the year. “There is nowhere for him to go in regular (handicap) races because he would have to carry 60kg. So, it will be the Graded races all the way to the Grand Prix.”

Success Baekpa [Purge – Baekpa (by Revere)] is a five-year entire who is out of a Korean oaks winner and who himself won two legs of the Triple Crown in 2024, missing out only in the Derby where he was 3rd. While Sunday’s victory was only his eighth in twenty-two starts but it was his fifth in Group company with those two classics followed up with victory in last year’s Herald Business and KRA Cup Classic.

It has been a long time since Global Hit was sent off as low as fifth in the betting (at least in a Korean race) but while the Global Hit of old would probably have cruised past Success Baekpa, he showed that he is still a top line horse, despite his injury setbacks. Speed Young did what Speed Young does and ran a very solid race for yet another placing.

As for Gangpungma, it may be that it isn’t going to happen for him at Group level He came into the race weighing almost 50kg heavier than any of the others and while he was sent off as favourite, he never looked like winning. Meanwhile Graded level proved too much just yet for Young Skywalker, with the only four-year-old in the race running an anonymous 6th, eight lengths behind the last of the top-five.

The final leg of the Stayer Series is the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) at Busan on May 24th and it won’t be a straightforward task for Success Baekpa to follow-up as Herald Business winner and the reigning Grand Prix champion Clean One, who was kept out of the YTN Cup for workload management reasons, is expected to return.

Next week, focus turns to the filly and mare division with the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2), the second leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer.