Race Reviews

Lala K Bounces Back in Style at Seoul While Hangang Class is all Class at Busan

Lala K brushed off his first career defeat a month ago and showed his formidable late speed to return to the winner’s circle in the second leg of the Juvenile Series, the NACF Chairman’s Trophy (1200M KOR-L) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. But at Busan, hot favourite Baekduui Kkum suffered a shock defeat as Hangang Class secured victory in the southern track’s equivalent race, the Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy (1200M KOR-L).

Lala K dominated the NACF Chairman’s Trophy (Pic: KRA)

Lala K’s come from behind win in the Rookie Stakes at the end of August bizarrely went around the world even beyond racing circles, but the eccentric grey youngster couldn’t follow up when sent off as favourite for the opening leg of the Juvenile Series proper, the Munhwa Ilbo Trophy, on October 8th. However, with that day’s winner and runner-up, Nice Time and Eclipse Berry, both absent, Lala K once more began the prohibitive favourite.

This time there was no mistake. Lala K was slow to begin but there was no panic from jockey Yoo Seung-wan who kept him inside with cover as Flying Star set the early pace. Once the field straightened up, jockey Yoo unleashed Lala K down the centre and he proved far too strong, running on to win by a full five-lengths from Ziggurat in 2nd and the previously unexposed Geuma Momentous in 3rd.

NACF Chairman’s Trophy finish (Pic: KRA)

“Lala K has become somewhat famous, so I admit I was nervous.” Jockey Yoo Seung-wan, one of the quieter members of the weighing room who is known for his self-deprecation, told in-house broadcaster KRBC after the race. “But (Nice Time and Eclipse Berry) were absent so it was easier this time. There was a lot of early speed in this race so my idea was to get out as forward as possible. It didn’t work out like that but just like in the Rookie Stakes, the horse was able to save energy.”

“(Lala K) is two years old. We don’t want to do too much or try to force things.” Yoo continued. “We want him to run at three and at four and five, so if you ask too much of them as a juvenile, they get injured or sick. So, we are just training and looking ahead to the future.”

At Busan there was a surprise as Baeukduui Kkum, the dominant winner of both the Rookie Stakes and the Areumdaun Jilju Stakes, the latter the first leg of the Juvenile Series on the south coast, came unstuck in the Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy. The filly was sent off the 1.6 favourite, but it was Hangang Class, a 10/1 chance, who won on debut but was 4th in the Areumdaun Jilju, who took a comprehensive five-length win.

“What particularly pleased me today was how he dealt with the kick back” winning jockey Park Jae-I told KRBC. “He hadn’t experienced that before, and it is a true test when they receive that sand. He came through it well.”

Doctor Kingdom, 2nd in both the Busan Rookie Stakes and Areumdaun Jilju Stakes took a third consecutive runner-up finish as Baekduui Kkum could only manage 3rd.

Seoul and Busan will come together for the concluding leg of the Juvenile Series in the Breeders’s Cup Rookie (1400M KOR-G2) at Busan on Sunday December 10th. Lala K and Hangang Class will be there.

Wonderful Slew Upsets Jeulgeounyeojeong in Queens’ Tour

Wonderful Slew upset the odds and Triple Tiara winner Jeulgeounyeojeong to win the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3), the second leg of the Queens’ Tour Fall & Winter, in emphatic fashion for Italian trainer Luigi Riccardi at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Wonderful Slew and Antonio Da Silva win the Gyengnam Governor’s Cup (Pic: KRA)

Having won all three legs of the Triple Tiara with increasing authority and subsequently adding a class 1 victory over males and then the first leg of the current series in style, Jeulgeounyeojeong was sent off as a prohibitive 1.2 favourite. Wonderful Slew, who placed behind Jeulgeounyeojeong in both the Korean Oaks and Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup, was the only other one sent off in single digits.

Cosmo and Chamjeoun Chingu set the early pace with Jeulgeounyeojeong setting up camp just behind them. Wonderful Slew meanwhile sat in the middle of the thirteen-strong field before being ridden up in the back straight to sit behind the favourite.

At the top of the stretch, it seemed inevitable that Jeulgeounyeojeong would go past Cosmo and Chamjoeun Chingu. She did, but not with the dismissive ease that might have been expected. And then looming up on her shoulder was Wonderful Slew.  Under Antonio Da Silva, Wonderful Slew flew by before they even reached the furlong pole, immediately opening up daylight between herself and the rest. Jeulgeounyeojeong couldn’t respond and Success Time also came past. The gap between 1st and 2nd was a full five-lengths on the line with the clock stopped just seven tenths of a second outside the track record.

For trainer Luigi Riccardi it was a second Korean Group success with the first also having come with a three-year-old filly at Busan when Choegang Black won the 2021 Korean Oaks. For jockey Da Silva, it was a fourth Group winner in Korea and completed the set of G1, G2 and G3 wins. He is also running away with the Seoul Jockey Premiership with 79 wins in the capital this year, more than thirty more than his nearest rival.

Wonderful Slew (Purge – Worldly Dude (by Volponi) was bred by her owner Chi Dae-sub’s Nokwon Farm. Her dam Worldly Dude is a half-sister to American champion Game On Dude, being out of Worldly Pleasure, who was sold to Nokwon Farm in 2009, just before Game On Dude started to win back home. In her brief time at Nokwon, she had Worldly Dude. She was re-exported in 2011 but returned to Korea in 2019 and died in 2022.

The final leg of the Queens’ Tour Fall & Winter is a new race on the calendar, the Breeders’ Cup Queen, at Busan on December 10th. With only Listed status and a prize fund only just over half that of the Governor’s Cup, it is uncertain if both Wonderful Slew and Jeulgeounyeojeong will line up again. One thing is for certain though; the filly and mare division is a lot more exciting than it was twenty-four hours ago.

Next weekend attention turns to the two-year-old ranks and the Seoul and Busan’s respective Juvenile Series 2nd legs on Sunday afternoon. Lala K will go hunting for redemption in the NACF Chairman’s Trophy at Seoul and may well get it with Nice Time, the impressive winner of the Munha Ilbo Trophy, not set to run. At Busan Baekduui Kkum heads the lineup in a likely small field for the Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy. Both are over 1200M.

Nut Play Lands Ilgan Sports Trophy

Nut Play franked the form of this year’s Triple Crown races by winning the Listed Ilgan Sports Trophy at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Nut Play wins the Ilgan Sports Trophy (Pic: KRA)

Nut Play (by Colors Flying) was 4th in the KRA Cup Mile and then 3rd in both the Korean Derby and Minister’s Cup, an overall 2nd place in the Triple Crown series behind double Classic winner Global Hit

Nut Play (Pic: KRA)

On Sunday Nut Play joined several others who came out of the Triple Crown, including Derby runner-up Naol Sniper, contesting the Ilgan Sports Trophy over the same Derby distance of 1800M.

Nut Play and Antonio Da Silva in the Ilgan Sports Winner’s Circle (Pic: KRA)

Under Antonio Da Silva, Nut Play, who raced much more prominently than he had in the Classic races, proved too strong late on, finishing three-quarters-of-a-length in front of the fast-finishing Yongam Boss with Ultra Galaxy in 3rd and Naol Sniper, who had led for much of the way, in 4th.

Next weekend Triple Tiara winner Jeulgeounyeojeong is expected to be in action as the Queens’ Tour Fall & Winter series gets underway with the Jeju Governor’s Cup (1400M KOR-G3) at Seoul on Sunday.

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (September 16)

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

It’s a week since Remake won the Korea Sprint (Pic: Ross Holburt/KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens with four of the eleven racing for the first time with the remaining seven having appeared once each. We’ll side with experience and (5) SPEED ONE was sent off as favourite over this distance on August 18th but was slowly away before rallying well for 2nd. With a better start he can go one better today. (7) GEUMSE raced on pace throughout his own debut on August 26th, leading until the closing stages when he was overhauled and had to settle for 2nd. It was a quick time, and he should be on pace again here with every chance of winning. The pick of the first timers is (9) UMAPOY. He sat handy in his trial, finishing off well to cross the line 1st in a good time. If he brings that form to the races, he should have a big say first-up. (8) IRISH MAN and (2) MYUNGJINBULLPAI others who hinted at ability in their trials.

Selections(5) Speed One (7) Geumse (9) Umapoy (8) Irish Man
Next Best2, 4
Fast Start2, 7, 8, 9

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens and while the field is small, it’s competitive. (3) VINCERO CAVALLO ran 5th on debut over 1000M in June before stepping up to this trip on August 5th and running an on-pace 2nd in a good time. He draws nicely to be on pace again and he won’t need to improve much to win here. (5) LUCKY PARTY was a solid 3rd in debut over 1000M on August 26th, settling midfield and running on pleasingly. The step up in trip can suit and he should have benefited from the experience. (2) NAEGILUI WINNER ran 5th behind Lucky Party in that August 26th race. He had previously run 2nd on debut and steps up to 1200M for the first time with Moon Se-young staying aboard. (1) PURGE KING and (8) YEONGWON GIANT others with the potential to improve.

Selections(3) Vincero Cavallo (5) Lucky Party (2) Naegilui Winner (1) Purge King
Next Best8, 7
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 5

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million

More juvenile maidens and once more, all have raced either once or twice before. (6) DOKKI DRAGON beat a couple of these on his way to 3rd place on debut on August 13th when overcoming gate eleven to race handy. The step up in trip can suit and he shape as the one to beat. Plenty of the others have shown ability though. (1) MIRAE TOWER has finished 4th in both his starts so far, both at 1000M and both times running on well and most recently in that August 13th race behind Dokki Dragon. Furkan gets the ride today and he should thrive with the additional trip. After two less than impressive trials (3) GEOLJAK EUTTEUM was totally unfancied on debut but ran a fair 5th of eleven. The presence of Moon Se-young will ensure he has plenty of backers. (4) NAEGILUI LEADER, who debuted over this trip, and (8) KNIGHT CHARM, another who comes out of the August 13th race, are others in the frame.

Selections(6) Dokki Dragon (1) Mirae Tower (3) Geoljak Eutteum (4) Naegilui Leader
Next Best8, 5
Fast Start1, 5, 6, 7

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

After running 5th on debut, (4) WINNER JERIN was an improved 2nd over this distance on August 6th racing on pace, albeit well beaten by a good winner. He draws very nicely to get to the lead again here and this time, he can go all the way. (6) SEOUL CHOEGANGJA has hinted at ability across three starts so far which have included two 4th place finishes. He steps up to further than 1000M for the first time and given that he has finished off two of his three races well, it may suit. (7) DAONDI comes in off a good 3rd place over 1300M on August 19th when settling back and running on and should be in the mix again here. (2) HAEJE YEOGEOL and (9) MUNHAK CENTRAL are other placing chances.

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (September 15)

The weekend’s action gets underway at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener and all twelve are racing for the very first time. A couple caught the eye in trials, principally (3) MOTO MOTO and (2) YEONGGWANGUIFIRST. They both posted the same quick time in their respective heats, and both ran close to the pace throughout. They draw nicely and it’s a toss up between the pair of them. We’ll side with the Power Blade colt Moto Moto for no specific reason. (6) BLACK FALCON went through two trials, finishing 3rd in both and posting useful times. The experience should stand him in good stead, and he can put in a bold showing first-up here. (7) BROWN FALCON and (9) OH JJANG are others who didn’t disgrace themselves in their trials, the latter winning his heat.

Selections(3) Moto Moto (2) Yeonggwanguifirst (6) Black Falcon (7) Brown Falcon
Next Best9, 8
Fast Start2, 3, 8, 9

Busan Race 2: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(6) LOUD COLOR has nine top-five finishes from twelve starts so far and comes in with recent form reading the best of these with a 2nd and a 3rd from her latest two at 1300M and 1400M. She is up 3kg on those performances, but she should be able to overcome that, and is likely to be on pace and to take some beating. (8) GREEN PAPAGO doesn’t exactly win out of turn, but she has plenty of experience at this level and comes back to a trip at which she has been consistent. She can settle midfield here and can run into some money at what should be an each-way price. (3) SOUTHERN SUPERONE has been well-backed on both starts so far and while he has finished 5th and 7th in them, they were at 1200M and both times he drew wide. The additional trip can suit, and he gets a much better gate this time around. (4) HAVE A GOOD DAY and (2) LOKI BLISS others who can challenge for the minors.

Selections(6) Loud Color (8) Green Papago (3) Southern Superone (4) Have A Good Day
Next Best2, 7
Fast Start2, 3, 6, 7

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Small but competitive field for this maiden. (6) FABULOUS BEATER has improved across five starts so far, culminating in a very close 2nd place over this distance on August 13th when he overcame gate eleven to sit midfield and then ran on well in a quick time. He carries the same weight but draws a better gate, and he could go one better. The main danger is (2) HEUIMANG GARAM. He has only raced once before and showed promise, running through the line well for 4th place in a quick time over 1000M. He should have derived plenty of benefit for the experience, the additional furlong can suit, and he should be a danger. Thos two will fill out almost everybody’s quinella but (9) U PING has hinted at ability across six starts so far and can be aiming for a place here. (3) ARION KING showed nothing on debut but previously trialled well and carries a light weight with an apprentice claim. (7) ARA NURI the best of the rest.

Selections(6) Fabulous Beater (2) Heuimang Garam (9) U Ping (3) Arion King
Next Best7, 8
Fast Start2, 3, 7, 8

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(9) HAERANG YOUNGUNG looks the most likely here. He has picked up well in his latest two, running 2nd and 4th, both at 1200M and in contrasting styles, once from on pace and the other from behind. In this company, he can settle behind the early speed and the additional half furlong can see him home on top. The main danger is (4) BUGYEONG LION. He finished well back in a very quick race on August 27th, but he previously ran a strong 3rd on debut, both of them at this distance. He draws nicely here, and he won’t need to improve much to be in the finish. (6) BEST CHAMP too an age to get into gear on debut over 1000M but he finished off well enough to suggest that the additional trip here can suit. (7) WHITE FALCON and (5) ACE RUN others in the placing frame.

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Derby Winner Global Hit Lands Minister’s Cup

Global Hit sealed his status as the nation’s top three-year-old as the Korean Derby winner produced another late surge up the inside to win the Minister’s Cup (2000M KOR-G2) at Seoul Racecourse on Saturday evening.

Global Hit beats stablemate Speed Young in the Minister’s Cup (Pic: KRA)

Sent off as third favourite in a full field of sixteen, Global Hit was unable to get to a forward position coming out of the gate when Uptown Whiz drifted in front of him. Instead, jockey Kim Hye-sun had to be patient and settle the Derby winner in midfield as Dokki Bulpae and betting favourite Naol Sniper set the pace.

Global Hit steadily improved as the field made their way down the backstraight and joined the leaders as they turned for home. Once in the straight, Global Hit quickly accounted for Naol Sniper and Dokki Bulpae and was left with only stablemate Speed Young to see off. This he did with a final furlong burst of speed that saw him cross the line two-lengths to the good. As ever late on the scene, Nut Play came home 3rd a full seven-lengths further in arrears.

“I am really happy. Global Hit is a very good horse and he proved that the Derby wasn’t just luck” winning jockey Kim Hye-sun told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “I don’t really think I gave him due credit in my interview after the Derby, but I expected him to win this time. He has so much talent, and while his legs are not the strongest, the stable staff did such a good job in managing him and allowing him to show his ability.”

Asked about the start when Uptown Whiz crossed, impeding Global Hit from getting their desired position and whether it forced her to change tactics, Kim said she noted it. “As we came out the gap narrowed, I hesitated a little but decided not chase it, so we settled back a little bit further than planned, but ultimately it didn’t matter.”

Pic: KRA

For trainer Bang Dong-suk, it was a remarkable one-two with last year’s champion juvenile Speed Young running a redemptive race following lacklustre showings in both the Cup Mile and the Derby.

“I have to praise my jockeys.” Bang told KRBC. “They were great, but this is a whole team effort by everyone back at the stable. They worked hard to prepare this.” As for the future, the trainer was non-committal: “Global Hit has been through a lot with his legs, but they are both young and I am looking forward to what’s next.”

Jockey You Hyun-myung rode Speed Young to win the Breeders’ Cup and following a lengthy spell out after a bad injury in a race fall, was reunited with him in the Minister’s Cup. “The staff had told me he was back in form, and they were right. Global Hit was just too strong in the last 200M.”

Global Hit is by To Honor And Serve and is out of Tammy’s Victress (by Yankee Victor). With the win he moved on to five wins from seven starts.

Jeulgeounyeojeong Completes Triple Tiara Sweep

For the second year in a row the Triple Tiara series has been swept as Jeulgeounyeojeong emulated Golden Power by adding to her Luna Stakes and Korean Oaks successes with a resounding victory in the final jewel, the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) under the lights at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday evening.

Jeulgeounyeojeong and Franco Da Silva win the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (Pic: KRA)/

Sent off the odds-on favourite in a thirteen-strong field, Jeulgeounyeojeong was kept handy in the early stages by jockey Franco Da Silva as Raon Giant and Doctor Oscar set the early pace over a distance at which all were tackling for the first time. At the top of the home straight, those leaders started to tire and with minimal urging, Jeulgeounyeojeong cruised by and put the race to bed a long way out.

The margin on the line was four-lengths with Wonderful Slew, a revelation when 3rd in the Oaks at just her fourth career start, getting the closest to Jeulgeounyeojeong. Raon Forest, 2nd in both the Luna and the Oaks, completed a hat-trick of Tiara placings, coming home in 3rd place.

“Anywhere internationally for a horse to be a Triple Tiara winner, it takes a good one.” Winning jockey Franco Da Silva told KRBC immediately after the race. “Thanks to the owner and the trainer for giving me a chance and now the pressure is all off because we are done. We proved that she is the best and everything is perfect.”

“This horse is just getting better and better.” Da Silva continued. “Today the only things I was worried about were the track condition and that we had travelled from Busan (for the first time). But she never lost weight, she was happy, and she was very professional. I was just a passenger; I just had to sit and wait for the straight.”

(Pic: KRA)

Trainer Kim Young-kwan also noted the challenge of winning a Triple Tiara series. “In a Triple Crown or a Triple Tiara, the races come very quickly with short intervals between them. So, health and fitness are just as important as ability if you want to win all three.” Kim, who is Korea’s all-time leading trainer in terms of both career wins and Group race wins, told KRBC.

“At the Breeders’ Cup (Korea’s Champion Juvenile race, where Jeulgeounyeojeong was a short price but finished 9th), she had some respiratory issues, so we took great care to fix that, and she has stayed healthy and sound since.”

(Pic: KRA)

Although he recently passed the compulsory retirement age for trainers, Kim has been granted an extension in recognition of his record over the years which includes the Triple Crown with Power Blade in 2016. “It is great to add a Triple Tiara to Power Blade’s Triple Crown. I would like to thank the racing fans for accepting my extension.”

Jeulgeounyeojeong is by Colors Flying and is out of Says Ms Elizabeth (by Giacomo) and was bred by owners Nasca, of Eoma Eoma fame, at their farm. She moves onto six wins from twelve starts.    

The big question now is what is next for Jeulgeounyeojeong and just how good is she? Winning trainer Kim noted that after sweeping last year’s Triple Tiara, Golden Power endured a scoreless end to 2022, being outclassed in two Queens’ Tour races. She finally returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since her Gyeonggi victory, this past Friday evening. In the meantime, Raon The Spurt, who Golden Power vanquished comfortably in the Tiara, is a Group 2 winner this year and firmly ensconced at the elite level.

(Pic: KRA)

Jeulgeounyeojeong is not necessarily Golden Power, but the Queens’ Tour Fall & Winter series would be the logical next item on her agenda.

Next Saturday at Seoul, there is another floodlight big race engagement with the final jewel of the Triple Crown, the Minister’s Cup (2000M KOR-G2). There is no Triple Crown on the line, but Korean Derby winner Global Hit is expected to head a full field of sixteen in the final three-year-old Classic.

TUHONUI BANSEOK DOWNS WINNER’S MAN A SECOND TIME

Tuhonui Banseok got back up from off the canvas to deliver a second knockout on Winner’s Man as the YTN Cup winner followed up in the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.  

Tuhonui Banseok and Jung Do-yun (Pic: KRA)

Following Raon The Fighter’s injury earlier in the week, the Mayor’s Cup was expected to be a match-race between Tuhonui Banseok and Winner’s Man. Despite Tuhonui Banseok’s eleven-length demolition job on him in May, local punters sided marginally with Winner’s Man, sending him off as the 1.8 favourite with Tuhonui Banseok at 2.1.

Under jockey Jung Do-yun, standing in for the suspended Park Jae-I, Tuhonui Banseok got a great start from the inside gate and was quickly into the lead. Winner’s Man meanwhile was on the end of a slight bump exiting the gate but was quickly up on the pace with Seo Seung-un aboard and the two rivals quickly set about living up to match-race expectations.

Tuhonui Banseok led into the straight but unlike in Seoul in May, this time he didn’t pull away. Instead, Winner’s Man nosed into the lead with two furlongs remaining and by the time they reached the furlong pole, had put a length and a half between them. Tuhonui Banseok didn’t give up though and with Winner’s Man wavering a little in the last one-hundred metres, Jund was able to launch a counterattack up the inside and Tuhonui Banseok recaptured the lead at exactly the right time.

The winning margin was half a length while Simjangui Godong got surprisingly close in 3rd, less than two-lengths behind Winner’s Man.

Jockey Jung Do-yun, speaking to KBS N Sports, paid tribute to his mount’s resilience. “The start was good, I wanted to sit in front, but Winner’s Man was better than I expected. But Tuhonui Banseok was persistent and while we were struggling in the home straight, he didn’t give up.”

“It was such an exciting race, I always wish to do better, and I want to give my special thanks to jockey Park Jae-I, who has helped me a lot.”

It was a second Group win for jockey Jung following his victory on Touch Star Man in the 2020 KRA Cup Mile. For trainer Bart Rice it was also a second Group win following Tuhonui Banseok’s YTN win.

“The strategy was for the jockey to dictate the pace at the front. We knew that Winner’s Man was the danger and he hit the front in the home straight, but we were able to beat him in the end.” Rice told KBS Sports. “It was the first time (Jung Do-yun) had ridden the horse but he’s a very talented jockey and he rode a fantastic race.”

“I have to say thank you to the owner and their loyal support to our stable and also thank you to my staff. They do a good job.”

Quizzed by KBS on his own situation, Rice was unequivocal. “I have settled down in Korea now, it’s my second home – or even my first home now. I can’t complain about anything, it’s nice to work here and it’s nice to train horses here.”

Tuhonui Banseok is a five-year-old American bred entire by Verrazano and out of the Street Sense mare Sense Of Beauty. He was a $13,000 purchase at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He and Winner’s Man are expected to renew hostilities in the 1.6 Billion Won international Korea Cup at Seoul on September 10th.

Meanwhile Raon The Fighter’s injury was confirmed as a sesamoid fracture. The five-year-old will undergo surgery this week and then faces a minimum ten-month recovery and rehabilitation period.

SUPER SSONSAL SCORES SENSATIONAL SROA SPRINT SUCCESS

At the age of seven, Ssonsal hit the heights he had always promised as he swept home late to clean up Eoma Eoma and Raon First in the shadow of the post to win the SROA Chairman’s Sprint Trophy (1200M KOR-G3), the third leg of the Sprint Series, at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Pic: KRA

Ssonsal had come home in 3rd place in both of the first two legs of the Sprint Series, the Busan Ilbo Sprint and the SBS Sports Sprint. But with the dominant winner of both those races, Raon The Fighter, absent the door was left open for the rest. Most pundits, as well as the punting public, believed that would be Eoma Eoma, last year’s Korea Sprint winner, who ran 2nd in the SBS Sports Sprint and was sent off the odds-on favourite ahead of Ssonsal and the President’s Cup winning mare Raon First.

From wide draws Raon Tap Man, a 48.8 outsider, and Lord Ban (21.5) flew across at the earliest opportunity to join Raon First on the early speed. That seemed to rattle Eoma Eoma who having drawn gate nine was, after the attack, neither able to lead nor save ground and was stuck somewhat in no-man’s land out wide. Ssonsal meanwhile, as is his style, settled towards the rear under a calm Franco Da Silva.

Into the home straight and Raon Tap Man and Lord Ban did not capitulate although Raon First and Eoma Eoma started to assert their superiority as they entered the final furlong. But then arrived Ssonsal, who had been quietly making progress since the two-furlong pole and he and Da Silva swept by to strike,  going away. Raon First was 2nd, a head in front of Eoma Eoma in 3rd while the early pacesetters Raon Tap Man and Lord Ban were rewarded with very solid 4th and 5th places.

“I’m very pleased to get back to Seoul and win a big race,” winning jockey Franco Da Silva told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “It’s very special because this racecourse is so full of life, with the fans all cheering, so I am very pleased to get a big winner here.”

Da Silva said he was always confident about Ssonsal. “Always I expect this horse to do much better than he sometimes does because he has a very special mind. Sometimes, he doesn’t want to run to his potential, but the last three races he has done his best, so before the race, I was expecting to get the win today because Raon The Fighter was not there. So, I thought he would be the best horse today.”

Pic: KRA

As for future plans, Da Silva is keen for Ssonsal to move up in trip. “We don’t know what’s after this, because I always know this horse can get a longer distance. The owner and the trainer pointed him to shorter, but I prefer him to go longer because I know if he stays behind in the pack, he has very strong power in the last three hundred (metres), so if the owner and trainer agree, we can put him (up to) a little bit longer distance.”

Winning trainer Lee Sang-young was tasting Group race victory for the first time in his sixteen-year career.  “It’s like a miracle.” Lee told KRBC. “I was a bit worried about the gate number (12) but Ssonsal stays on and with so many front-runners in this race, I guessed they wouldn’t all stick on as well as he (Ssonsal) can.”

Lee also paid tribute to his jockey. “We could win this race thanks to the jockey. I really appreciate Da Silva. I love him!”

Pic: KRA

Ssonsal is a seven-year-old American entire by Adios Charlie and out of Wink At The Boys (by Graeme Hall). He was bred by Dee-Ellen Cook and Suzette Parker and was purchased for $8500 by KOID out of the OBS October Yearling Sale in 2017. He is now owned by Hong Kyung-pyo. Ssonsal was recording his thirteenth career win on his thirty-fourth start and has amassed in excess of a Billion Korean Won’s worth of prize money.

Next week attention shifts to Busan and filly and mare division with the KNN Cup (1600M KOR-G3) on Sunday afternoon. Ttukseom Cup winner Raon The Spurt heads the nominations.

Global Hit Stuns In The Derby

Global Hit stuck to the rail and the tiny colt inked his name into Korea racing history by winning the Korean Derby (1800M KOR-G1) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. On his back, Kim Hye-sun wrote another chapter of firsts in her storied career.

Kim Hye-sun and Global Hit win the Derby (Pic: KRA)

He may have drawn the plum inside gate but having not taken part in the first leg of the Triple Crown, Global Hit, not a big horse to begin with, weighed in having lost 13kg since his last outing, the second lightest of the sixteen-strong field. Accordingly, he was sent off as a 25/1 outsider for the premier jewel in the crown.

It was a case of taking full advantage of that inside draw. Global Hit settled handy and stuck to the fence throughout before accelerating away in the home straight leaving pre-race favorite Naol Sniper in his wake, while the heavily fancied closer Nut Play finished strongly but too late. and could only manage 3rd.

Kim Hye Sun and Global Hit (Pic: KRA)

“I am so happy; I am overwhelmed really” winning jockey Kim Hye-sun told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “I am surprised and happy at the same time. I wanted him to run in this race, but I didn’t expect him to win.”

She was fully appreciative of her apparently fragile mount: “(Global Hit) has weak legs so my only priority was to race safely. And this was his first time at 1800M. I was worried about everything, the distance, the weight. But I wasn’t worried about his ability, and he ran really well.”

It was a career Triple Crown for both owner Kim Joon-hyun and trainer Bang Dong-suk, who combined with Hit Yegam in 2021 to claim the KRA Cup Mile and the Minister’s Cup but missed out when 2nd to Winner’s Man in that year’s Derby.

Hyesun signs off on a brilliant performance (Pic: KRA)

It is almost unseemly in this day and age to talk about “first woman to…” and Kim Hye-sun herself certainly doesn’t want the narrative about her career to be defined by that. As she always points out, she is just another jockey doing what jockeys do. But just like American trainer Jena Antonucci sending out Arcangelo to win the Belmont Stakes this weekend, she is smashing glass ceilings and that needs to be acknowledged and celebrated.

Kim Hye-sun debuted at Seoul in 2009 and quickly started winning. The highlight of her career prior to this Derby came in 2017 when she accompanied the filly Jejui Haneul to Busan and won the Korean Oaks at odds of 55/1. She gave birth to a son (with her husband, fellow jockey Park Jae-i) in 2020 and returned to race riding ten-months later quickly picking up where she left off, booting home three winners on International Day at Busan last year.

“I know people were worried when I came back after I had my son, but really my son is a treasure to me, and he gives luck to me when I ride.”

“I would like to thank my husband also; did he finish last? (Press Corp: “second last!”). “Ha!, Also, thanks to the owner for giving me the chance and the stable hands for preparing him so well. They earned this win.”

The final leg of the 2023 Korea Triple Crown is the Minister’s Cup over 2000M on July 22nd.