Queens Tour

BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN LATE BURST OVERWHELMS OLDER RIVALS IN JEJU GOVERNOR’S CUP

She didn’t quite manage to out “Lala K” Lala K, but nevertheless, BOREYONGLIGHTQUEEN pulled off one of the more remarkable come from behind efforts to flash past the two-time defending champion Jeulgeounyeojeong – and everyone else in her way – to win the Jeju Governor’s Cup (1400M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Bryeonglighqueen leaves Jeulgeounyeojeong and Gladius in her wake (Pic: KRA)

The winner of the final leg of this year’s Triple Tiara, and the only three-year-old taking her chance, Boryeonglightqueen was sent off as 14/1 fifth choice in the market as she took on her filly and mare seniors in the Jeju Governor’s Cup, the first leg of the Queens’ Tour Fall/Winter. Jeulgeounyeojeong, bidding to win the race for the third year running, began as the 2.5 market favourite.

Second-favourite Crown Hamseong looped the field to take the early lead and as the field settled down was joined on the pace by Born Dia and then Jeulgeounyeojeong and Donga Ilbo Trophy winner Gladius, with the field being strung out behind and the ultimate winner at the back.

Turning into the straight, Born Dia was the first to be shaken off, followed by Crown Hamseong, and it looked as if it would be a straight fight between Gladius and Jeulgeounyeojeong.

That would be to reckon with Boryeonglightqueen who, having been let loose at the top of the straight, proceeded to complete the final three furlongs a full two seconds quicker than the two leaders, improving from 12th to 5th in the penultimate furlong and then sweeping past the rest, winning by two-lengths on the line.

Jeulgeounyeojeong, making her first start for trainer Lee Sang-young, following Kim Young-kwan’s retirement, was 2nd, with Gladius a further length back in 3rd.

“I was concerned about the early pace of the race” winning jockey Jung Do-yun told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “The race got a bit stretched and I think that was how we were able to win.” Jung was bullish about Boryeonglightqueen’s prospects for the remainder of the Queens’ Tour. “She’s better at longer distances so we’ll be aiming to win the Series.”

Winning trainer Kim Gil-jung echoed Jung’s thoughts: “I had some expectations in my own mind but considering her best result had come at 2000M I did fear perhaps the 1400M might be a bit sharp with not enough time for her to come back at them in the straight.”

“We’ll go on to the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup in October. Everything is easier in October with the summer over and the horses peaking. She’ll have home advantage (at Busan) and back at 2000M, we will be looking forward to it.”

Jockey Kim Yong-geun, who finished 3rd on Gladius admitted that he had been focusing on his duel with Jeulgeounyeojeong when Boryeonglightqueen surprised them both.

“As expected, (Gladius) didn’t start very well but I gave her a bit of bridle, and we made our way forward. I was confident into the 4th corner when Jeulgeounyeojeong came alongside. She is a strong horse, and we had a good battle. I thought we were making progress back at her, so I was a bit confused when another horse came so fast down the outside.”

Boryeonglightqueen is by Rock Band (by Ecton Park) who was foaled and did his racing in Korea, winning the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Minister’s Cup, in 2015. She is out of the Menifee mare, Yaho Prez, who also raced in Korea.

The next leg of the Queens’ Tour Fall & Winter is the Gyeongnam Govenor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Busan on October 26th.

Queens’ Tour Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (September 21)

The Queens’ Tour Fall & Winter series kicks off on Sunday when fifteen fillies and mares take their chance at Seoul in the Jeju Governor’s Cup (1400M KOR-G3). There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:05 to 16:30. Here are the previews:

Jeulgeounyeojeong seeks to defend her Jeju Govenor’s Cup title on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

After running 5th on debut, (1) JIJON BULPAE was an improved 3rd at start number two on August 23rd when handy throughout. He comes into a better gate today and can be expected to be on pace and to go all the way. (9) GEOLJAK TIARA was 5th on debut over 1000M on August 23rd, running on well. She should have come on for the run and the step up in trip can suit. Similarly (11) GEOMEUN SUP was a fair 4th on debut on August 16th, also at 1000M. She too should have derived benefit from that and can be a danger here. (2) CLUTCH MAN and (4) AMOS STAR are others who can improve.

Selections(1) Jijon Bulpae (9) Geoljak Tiara (11) Geomeun Sup (2) Clutch Man
Next Best4, 3
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 12

Seoul Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(7) GLOBAL TIME returned from seven months off to run 2nd at this class and distance on August 24th, showing on pace throughout. He should strip fitter for that run and has every chance of going one better today. (1) NAOL PASS was a winner on debut over 1000M in July before finishing 5th of ten in the Rookie Stakes on August 17th. She drops back into more amenable company here and with Moon Se-young staying on, she will have plenty of backers to win here. (2) WONDERFUL DONGCHON has two 2nd places and a 4th in three tries at this level since getting his maiden win at this trip back in January. He comes in fresh after a three-month absence, but an apprentice keeps his carried weight down and he draws well. (5) P N S OHOH and (3) MUNHAK FIGHTER others in the hunt.

Selections(7) Global Time (1) Naol Pass (2) Wonderful Dongchun (5) P N S Ohoh
Next Best3, 6
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 6

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A /  KRW 30 Million

Fillies only here and there are three standouts. (9) GHOST GALE enters off a close runner-up finish at this distance on August 24th when she was on pace throughout. For what it’s worth, she has the fastest time among these for the distance and with a good start, she can go all the way. (4) RAON PARANOMA has improved across her outings, culminating in 2nd at this trip on July 13th when she led for most of the way. She has had ten weeks out so comes in fresh but can be a big player. (10) FOX TROT rounds out the main trio of chances. She too enters off a runner-up finish in her latest, over 1400M on August 17th. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and she can be challenging late. (11) ROAD TO SPEAR and (3) OUTSTANDING GIRL others in the frame.

Selections(9) Ghost Gale (4) Raon Paranoma (10) Fox Trot (11) Road To Spear
Next Best3, 7
Fast Start4, 7, 8, 9

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with six of the twelve racing for the first time. We’ll side with a debut-maker and (10) FUNNY WILD. The Bayern colt was an eye-catching trial winner in July, settling midfield before pulling away to score in a quick time. It’s taken him a while to get to the races. but he doesn’t appear to have missed much work since the trial, and he can win first-up. (4) PORT MORE was a trial winner in late June and then debuted in the Rookie Stakes in August. That proved a hard ask and he only beat three but should have come on for the experience and this is more suitable. (7) WORLD GOAT and (5) QUEEN PERFECT both ran on late on their respective debuts and should prefer the extended trip today. (12) BULBIT GANGJA is another debut maker who hinted at ability in a trial.

Selections(10) Funny Wild (4) Port More (7) World Goat (5) Queen Perfect
Next Best12, 1
Fast Start1, 4, 8, 10

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

(4) HIT FLY returned from more than three months out and ran 2nd in a quick race at this class and distance on August 24th, coming from well off the pace. She should strip fitter for that run and will be strongly favoured to go one better today. (3) MORNING WONDER was a maiden winner at 1200M on April 4th and then ran a very close 2nd on her first try at this class and distance at the start of June. She has had sixteen weeks off since then but has been back in work since late August and can go well first up. (1) STEEPLE was a winner at start two over 1000M on August 23rd, showing on pace throughout. She is up in class and in trip but can measure up. (6) WONDERFUL N.B. and (8) WONDERFUL SEEKING among other place chances.

Selections(4) Hit Fly (3) Morning Wonder (1) Steeple (6) Wonderful N B
Next Best8, 7
Fast Start1, 4, 5, 9

Busan Race 2: Class (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) SERYEONDOENWISUN took a couple of goes to figure thing sou tut has a 4th and a 3rd from his latest two at 1200M and 1300M, coming from off the pace both times. The slight step up in trip can be just what he needs to make his maiden breakthrough. (2) HOLY NIKE has made steady progress across three starts so far with his latest his best when 2nd at 1200M on August 31st, overcoming the widest gate, albeit it to be well beaten by a good winner. He comes into a better gate today and going one better isn’t impossible. (8) NEVERSTOP HEEMANG returns to action for the first time in more than a year and having looked well in a trial in August, can be considered on an each-way basis. (4) RACE MARINE and (5) DELEKOOMDA others in the placing frame.

Selections(9) Seryeondoenwisun (2) Holy Nike (8) Neverstop Heemang (4) Race Marine
Next Best5, 1
Fast Start2, 3, 6, 10

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

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JEULGEOUNYEOJEONG RETURNS AND RECLAIMS QUEENS’ TOUR THRONE

The Princess will have to wait a little longer as the Queen has no intention of relinquishing her throne. Crown Hamseong led the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2), but defending champion Jeulgeounyeojeong, racing for the first time since last November, was too strong, grinding her foe down in the closing stages, and taking victory in the second leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Jeulgeounyeojeong edges out Crown Hamseong (Pic: KRA)

Gladius, winner of the first leg of the series, the Donga Ilbo Trophy (1800M KOR-Listed) a month ago was sent off as the 2.2 favourite among a crowded field of sixteen ahead of Donga runner-up Crown Hamseong with Jeulgeounyeojeong, who was making her seasonal debut, third in the market.

The favourite was never in it, Gladius taking up a handy position but not at any point looking like threatening. However, Moon Se-young on Crown Hamseong, took the initiative and went straight to the lead while Seo Seung-un and Jeulgeonyeojeong stalked.

They came together in the home straight and Jeulgeounyeojeong ultimately ground down her younger rival, beating Crown Hamseong by a length on the line. Wonderful Slew, Jeulgeounyeojeong’s biggest rival over the last two years, emerged from the pack to claim 3rd. Raon Forest was 4th and favourite Gladius a meek 5th.

Jeulgeounyeojeong was racing for the first time since last November’s Breeders’ Cup Queen (1800M KOR-Listed) when she suffered the worst result of her career and was found to have bled. That resulted in an automatic suspension and the need to complete two trials prior to being able to compete again.

“She is the Queen, right? And that means there is pressure.” Seo Seung-un told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “She bled last time and had five months off. We gave up on the idea of running in the Donga Ilbo last month and as a stable worked to prepare her for 1400M. The gate was wider than we wanted (gate 14) so we had to adjust our plan, but (the plan) came off. She should be in even better shape for (Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer 3rd leg) the KNN Cup.”

Winning trainer Kim Young-kwan – whose very presence on track in Seoul should have been a clue – said he had been confident. “It’s true that I expected to win” he confirmed to KRBC “but there was the layoff, and I was aware that there are some good horses among the newcomers (to the filly and mare ranks). The draw wasn’t good and Seo Seung-un was worried about that.”

Pic: KRA

“The spell at the farm did her good, not just recovering from the bleeding but a chance to fully rest and recover her health and I want to thank the farm (Nasca Farm, belonging to her owners) because she was looked after very well there. My stable staff put in a lot of work too and Seo Seung-un, as always, was very good.”

Moon Se-young, partner of runner-up Crown Hamseong, felt that fatigue and the draw had taken its toll. “I’m disappointed” he told KRBC. “Obviously she had some hard races and then with the draw, it’s the kind of thing you can’t replicate in training, the effort to get across to lead. She got there and she ran well, but ultimately, we just came up short.”

Ruan Maia rode Luigi Riccardi’s Wonderful Slew for the first time and after finishing well back behind the boys in the Herald Business (2000M KOR-G3) on her only previous start this year, she ran a smart 3rd.

“I was worried about the distance because it is too short for (Wonderful Slew) but I trusted in her ability, so I did my best to keep her as close as possible to the pace and she finished very well” Maia explained to KRBC. “Hopefully the next race (KNN Cup) it will be the right distance, and she will have a good chance to win.”

Jeulgeounyeojeong [Colors Flying – Says Ms Elizabeth (by Giacomo)] moves on to thirteen wins from twenty-five starts. The Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer Series concludes at Busan on June 1st with the KNN Cup (1600M KOR-G3). Meanwhile the younger generation of fillies will have their chance to shine next weekend with the Korean Oaks (1800M KOR-G2) at Busan next Sunday.

Ttukseom Cup 2025 Preview & Form Comments

The Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer headlines on Sunday with its second leg, the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2) attracting a full field of sixteen fillies and mares at Seoul Racecourse. SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES ACROSSS SEOUL AND BUSAN.

Donga Ilbo Trophy (1800M KOR-Listed) winner GLADIUS returns, and she is likely to be a warm favourite, but she will have to account for the speedy Segye Ilbo winner Crown Hamseong as well as last year’s big rivals JEULGEOUNYEOJEONG and WONDERFUL SLEW.

The Ttukseom Cup is race 8 on an 11-race Sunday program at Seoul. Here is a rundown of the field in full:

1. GLOBAL TAEYANG – 2nd in last year’s Korean Oaks but hasn’t really kicked on. Solid at class 2 but has been found wanting in this company in the Breeders’ Cup Queen and most recently the Donga Ilbo. Has won at the distance.

2. GLADIUS – Winner of her latest three, two at class 2 level and then the Donga Ilbo when handy throughout. Two-time winner at this distance, beautifully drawn to sit handy and is a big chance. She will start as favourite.

3. SAENAE QUEEN – More renowned at 1200M though she did struggle in the Segye Ilbo at that distance behind Crown Hamseong. She does have a class 1 3rd place at 1400M, and she will be on pace.

4. QUEEN TOP – 4th at big odds in the Breeders’ Cup Queen and 3rd at big odds in the Donga Ilbo, both times from well off the pace. She has won at this distance and while not a top-line favourite, she warrants respect here.

5. WONDERFUL SLEW – Twice a Group winner in similar company last season rounding it off with 3rd place in the Breeders’ Cup Queen. Only appearance this year was when well back behind the boys in the Herald Business last month. Prefers further but big chance in this company.

6. PERFECT ACTION – An also-ran in the first two legs of last year’s Tiara, she gets her chance with a smart class 2 win over this distance on April 4th, racing on pace. Could challenge for a place.

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Queens’ Tour Opener Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (March 23)

The Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer gets underway at Seoul on Sunday afternoon when a field of fourteen fillies and mares take their chance in the Dong-a Ilbo Trophy (1800M KOR-Listed). Neither of last year’s divisional standouts Wonderful Slew and Jeulgeounyeojeong are taking part and it looks set to be a fascinating affair. There are 11 races at Seoul on Sunday between 10:35 and 18:00, while there are 6 at Busan from 12:05 to 16:30. Here are the previews:

Jeulgeounyeojeong is back in training but she skips the Donga Ilbo (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) ROAD TO A SPUR has been getting closer over the course of his four starts so far, culminating in 2nd place over this distance on February 16th when he led until the closing stages. He draws nicely to lead again here, and he will be a short price favourite to go one better. (6) HANEUL GAMDONG was an improved 4th at start number two at the start of January, coming from off the pace. He comes in fresh following eleven weeks off and he shapes as the main danger. Those two will fill out most quinella tickets. (7) BREEDO KING STAR has been a touch disappointing in two starts back from a lengthy absence. He had previously shown ability though and third-up, he may be fitter. (2) DOUBLE NINE and (10) LASER RUN others in the hunt for the minors.

Selections(5) Road To A Spur (6) Haneul Gamdong (7) Breedo King Star (2) Double Nine
Next Best10, 8
Fast Start4, 5, 7, 10

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(2) KOTAP enters off a best to date 2nd place at 1200M on February 22nd when she led for much of the way around. She has placed at this distance too and from a good draw and with Maia staying on, she can go one better today. The main danger is (3) DONGJIN THUNDER. She too enters off a runner-up finish at her latest appearance, in her case over this distance in a filly-only maiden on February 16th. She can settle handy and can run on. (10) BISANG BELL was an improved 3rd at start number two on February 23rd when ridden much further forward than on debut. She has the challenge of the widest gate but can build on that here. (6) HYEWONYONGMA and (7) CHEONJI LADY others in at least the placing frame.

Selections(2) Kotap (3) Dongjin Thunder (10) Bisang Bell (6) Hyewonyongma
Next Best7, 4
Fast Start2, 6, 7, 10

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(6) GIANT BOSS got his maiden win at the third time of asking over this distance on February 9th when handy all the way. He is up in class but down in weight and he has every chance of measuring up in this company. (9) CHOWON DOLPUNG was a winner at this class over 1200M on February 15th in filly company. She is up 2kg in weight but that made it two from her latest three and she is not to be dismissed here. (10) ECLIPSE EDGE has a 3rd and a 2nd from his latest two, both of them at this class and distance. His sole win came from off the pace so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and he shapes as a potential danger late on. The up in class last start winners (3) ECLIPSE LUCKY and (5) NAMSAN SONYEO may have a bit more to find but can be competitive.

Selections(6) Giant Boss (9) Chowon Dolpung (10) Eclipse Edge (3) Eclipse Lucky
Next Best5, 11
Fast Start2, 3,4, 9

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) DONGNAM DOLPUNG has made steady progress across his four starts so far, with his best being his latest when 2nd over this distance on February 21st when, as has been his pattern, he settled back and came from off the pace. Expect similar here and he will be hot favourite to come out on top this time. (9) GLOBAL HEROINE has two 3rd places from four starts, including her last start over 1200M on February 23rd. In this company she can be on pace, and she can be in this a long way. (11) GOLDEN SPOT has been poor in his latest two but does have the fastest time among these for the distance and under a light weight could provide some each-way interest. (10) BEOLGYOUI BOM and (2) TIP TAP, the latter making his return eight months on from his debut and who trialed well, are others to consider.

Selections(5) Dongnam Dolpung (9) Global Heroine (11) Golden Spot (10) Beolgyoui Bom
Next Best2, 6
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 9

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

(2) GEUMA FOREMOST is yet to win from six attempts, but he has never been worse than 5th and comes in having run a very close 2nd at this class over 1300M on February 9th. His other runner-up finish came on his only previous try at this trip, and he looks to be the one to beat here. (9) GANDAGO comes in having run on from a long way back for 3rd place at 1300M on February 22nd. She is one for one at this distance and under a light weight, she is the main danger here. (11) LUCKY SUNNY could only manage midfield when tried at 1700M for his first go at this class on February 16th. At the start before he was a good maiden winner over 1300M and can appreciate the drop back to one turn. (3) B.K. BELLE and (6) YES MADAM are the other main placing chances.

Selections(2) Geuma Foremost (9) Gandago (11) Lucky Sunny (3) B.K. Belle
Next Best6, 5
Fast Start1, 2, 6, 8

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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Riccardi’s Wonderful Slew Retains Gyeongnam Crown, Captain P.K. & Wonderful Groom – Eventually – Take Juvenile Honours

Wonderful Slew claimed the second leg of the Queens’ Tour Fall & Winter by successfully defending the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile in the Juvenile Division, Captain P.K. scored in the NACF Chairman’s Trophy (1200M KOR-L) at Seoul, while Wonderful Groom was handed Busan’s Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy (1200M KOR-L) in the Stewards’ Room.

Wonderful Slew and Moon Se-young (Pic: KRA)

A maestro with the fillies, trainer Luigi Riccardi scored his first Korean Group race win with Choego Black in the Korean Oaks at Busan in 2021, but it is Wonderful Slew who has been his stable star, winning this race a year ago and then adding the KNN Cup, also at G3 level this June. The Italian handler has been operating at a win rate in of 18% and a top three rate of nearly 49% over the past year, the stable arriving on the south coast in peak form.

Sent off as the 1.7 favourite to overturn the defeat she was handed by Jeulgoeunyeojeong over 1400M in the Jeju Governor’s Cup at Seoul last month, jockey Moon Se-young sent Wonderful Slew out to track that filly, who herself had settled into 2nd early behind Flying Star.

They would remain in that order, Wonderful Slew glued to Jeugeounyeojeong’s tail, until the home straight when Moon asked for an effort from Wonderful Slew and the pair quickly zipped by their main rival, before dismissing Flying Star with similar disdain and ran on to win by two-and-a-half-lengths on the line. Flying Star held on for 2nd place while Jeulgeounyeojeong had to settle for 3rd.

“She was the defending champion, so I was confident” winning jockey Moon told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “It rained a lot on Friday, which wasn’t ideal, but I was thinking who would be the horses in front and assumed Jeulgeounyeojeong and Flying Star. The idea was to track them, and that’s how it turned out.”

“Wonderful Slew and Jeulgeounyeojeong have raced each other a lot, and at 1400M, 1600M, 1800M, we are the challenger and the underdog, but at 2000M, the expectations are on us, and (I am happy) we were able to do it.”

Moon also talked about his father, who passed away last week. “As I prepared for this race, I thought about it as one last gift I could give to my father, and I felt like he was watching me.”

With the victory, Wonderful Slew [Purge – Worldly Dude (by Volponi)] overtakes Jeulgeounyeojoeng at the top of the Queens’ Tour Fall & Winter Leaderboard with 650 points to 600. The final leg is the Breeders’ Cup Queen (1800M KOR-L) at Busan on Sunday November 24th.

Also slated for Busan on November 24th, the top juveniles from Seoul and Busan will meet for the first time in the Breeders’ Cup Rookie (1400M KOR-G2) and lead up races were held on Sunday at both Seoul and Busan.

At Seoul twelve lined up for the NACF Chairman’s Trophy (1200M KOR-L) and just as he did in August’s Rookie Stakes, Captain P.K. emerged from the pack late to win by a length-and-a half. Blushing Rose was 2nd and Munhwa Ilbo Trophy winner Silver Rain 3rd, having set the early pace.

Capyain P.K. (Pic: KRA)

Trained by Song Moon-gil and ridden by Kim Jeong-jun, Captain P.K. [Race Day – P.K. Party (By Old Fashioned)] moved on to three wins from four starts and emulated his dam, P. K. Party, who won the very same race as a juvenile herself back in 2017 when it was open to overseas, as well as locally bred runners – P.K. Party that year was the only Korean-bred, beating eleven US-bred runners that included Moonhak Chief, who would go on to win both the Grand Prix Stakes and the Korea Cup in 2019.

In Busan, things were less straightforward in the Gimhae Mayor’s Cup (1200M KOR-L). After running 3rd on debut, Winner Clear won his next two starts by a combined twenty-five lengths and was accordingly sent off as the 1.2 favourite. He was slow out of the gate though and while ridden up hard to take the lead, he wilted in the straight and crossed the line 3rd as his stablemate Oasis Blue romped home by five-lengths.

It was not to be for Oasis Blue, however. Around the 700M mark, he had shifted out slightly when not fully clear of My Dream Day and the resulting chain reaction of checking on heels ended with Mo Jun-ho being unseated from Union Champ.

Under rules of racing, there was no option but to disqualify Oasis Blue and Wonderful Groom [Testa Matta – Shesa Bud Girl (by Giant’s Causeway)] was promoted to 1st place. Winner Clear was awarded 2nd and quinella backers of the odds-on favourite rejoiced. Regardless of the disqualification, for which jockey Jung Do-yun copped a four-day ban, Oasis Blue will surely be a contender for the Breeders’ Cup Rookie in December.

Jeulgeounyeojeong Bests Wonderful Slew in Queens’ Tour Curtain Raiser

Jeulgeounyeojeong picked up from where she left off at the end of last year as she took the first leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring & Summer, the Donga Ilbo Trophy (1800M KOR-Listed), with an assured performance at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Jeulgeounyeojeong holds off Wonderful Slew in the Donga Ilbo Trophy (Pic: KRA)

Sent off as the prohibitive 1.5 favourite locally on a warm Spring afternoon, Jeulgeounyeojeong tracked early leader Raon The Spurt throughout the early and middle stages of the race, before jockey Seo Seung-un took things up early in the straight and then comfortably held off Wonderful Slew by three-quarters of a length on the line. 60/1 chance Yellow Cat was 3rd although essentially in a different race to the first two once they hit the home straight.

Jeulgeounyeojeong was the winner of all three legs of the Triple Tiara last year and while it seemed a gruelling season had caught up with her – she ran eleven times in total in 2023 – after a couple of late season reverses, including at the hands of Wonderful Slew, the Kim Young-kwan-trained filly returned to form with victory in December’s Breeders’ Cup Queen at Busan. She then got a very welcome three-month break.

(Pic: KRA)

For a first up performance, Jeulgeounyeojeong looked formidable and will surely get better for the run. Winning jockey Seo Seung-un agreed, telling in-house broadcaster KRBC: “It was a good run after three months off. There wasn’t really a suitable class 1 race for her in Busan in the lead up, so we came straight here. I had trust in the horse, and I am pleased we were able to come through for the fans.”

Winning trainer Kim admitted there were some nervous moments watching: “Even though (Jeulgeounyeojeong) was first-up after three months and Wonderful Slew had a race in her, I actually thought we would win comfortably” he told KRBC. “But we were almost in trouble in the end there and I think Wonderful Slew has improved a lot since the last time we met.”

Indeed, the way that Wonderful Slew finished off suggests that the Luigi Riccardi-trained galloper may yet have a say in the big ones as the season progresses. The runner-up’s jockey Moon Se-young said he expected some early speed and that he had a key decision imposed on him with 800 metres to run:

 “The likes of Gangseo Giant, Chamjoeun Chingu and Raon The Spurt can be fast, so I was mindful of that. The key moment was around the 3rd corner when (Yellow Cat) came up on the outside and, well…you can review it for yourself later…I had to decide whether to go then or to hold back and I decided I couldn’t hold it any longer. Would it have been a different result if I had? I don’t know. But, anyway, I think at 2000M, we will win.”

(Pic: KRA)

That is something that will have to wait. The Queens’ Tour Spring & Summer moves on to the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2) at Seoul on April 28th, before concluding with the KNN Cup (1600M KOR-G3) at Busan on June 2nd. As Jeulgeounyeojeong and Wonderful Slew did last year, the best fillies from the three-year-old ranks will then be expected to join the Queens Tour Fall & Winter Series that begins in September.

We’ll get a closer look at just who those fillies might be when the Triple Tiara kicks off next Sunday at Busan with the Luna Stakes (1600M KOR-Listed), the first leg of the 2024 Triple Tiara.

Calm Strong Lands KNN Cup Double

For the second year in a row, Calm Strong was sent off in excess of 20/1 in the KNN Cup, the final leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring and Summer Series for fillies and mares. And for the second year in a row, she made a mockery of those odds, racing home in front to complete a year on year double while hot favourite Raon The Spurt was back down the track in a disappointing 7th.

Calm Strong wins the KNN Cup for the second year in a row (Pic: KRA)

Last year Calm Strong made all, holding off the fast finishing Wish Me by a neck while the odds-on Raon First started slowly and then briefly threatened before wilting. This time around, the favourite – another Raon – Raon The Spurt got a beautiful start and looked to have the race fully under control as the field headed into the straight.

Once in sight of home, Choi Bum-hyun pulled the trigger on the favourite. And nothing happened. It quickly became apparent that today was not to be Raon The Spurt’s day and Calm Strong, who had settled stalking her, took up a lead she wouldn’t relinquish. The fast-finishing Mahameru came home 2nd, three-quarters of a length in arrears while Gangseo Giant, the only three-year-old in the race, was 3rd.  Longshot Yellow Cat, under a first Busan ride for Kim Tae-hui, was an excellent 4th.

Since last year’s triumph, Calm Strong had only won one more race and that was her first one back, last August (the KNN was run in July last year) at class 2 level. Those consecutive wins saw her rating rise rapidly from the low sixties into the mid-eighties and accordingly into class 1 level where life has been hard for her, a good 3rd place over 1200M two starts back notwithstanding. She led the 1st leg of this series, the Donga Ilbo Trophy at Seoul in April, before weakening for 9th, and entered the KNN hard to back despite the drop in trip.

“It was difficult around the turn of year because she had a cracked hoof that was hard to get right” trainer Kang Hyoung-gon explained to in-house broadcaster KRBC. “But that has now cleared up completely and she’s also a more mature filly now. To be honest, I thought we were going to be caught (in the closing stages) but she showed good spirit.”

Jockey Lee Hyo-sik added: “Calm Strong needs early speed and a forward position. We had planned three possible scenarios for the race and the best of them worked out. We knew Raon The Spurt was the danger but she had a bad day today and Calm Strong just ran better.”

Calm Strong is an American-bred four-year-old by Bayern (who now stands in Korea) and is out of Diva’s Seastar (by Broken Vow).  She was imported to Korea as a yearling in December 2020 and is owned by Lee Hae-lan. It was her fifth win on her seventeenth start.

For winning trainer Kang Hyoung-gon, it was a fourth Group race win. In additional to Calm Strong’s success in this race last year, he has also won two legs of the Triple Crown: Soseuldaemun in the 2011 KRA Cup Mile, and Rock Choice in the Minister’s Cup in 2019.

Winning jockey Lee Hyo-sik only returned from his mandatory national service earlier this year. It was his second Group win having partnered King Socks to victory in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup. “I’m just three months back from the military,” he said afterwards, “Every jockey wants to win Group races and I am happy to repay the fans who believe in me. I will always do my best for the fans.”

Calm Strong and Lee Hyo-sik (Pic: KRA)

The Queens’ Tour now moves into its “Fall & Winter” phase. That series begins with the Jeju Governor’s Cup (1400M KOR-G3) at Seoul on September 24th, followed by the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) and then a new race, the Breeders’ Cup Queen (1800M Listed), both at Busan, on October 29th and December 10th respectively.

Next week the focus stays at Busan and a real three-way heavyweight match-up. Winner’s Man takes on Raon The Fighter and Tuhonui Banseok in the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M) KOR-G2) in what sees Korea’s three main hopes for September’s international Korea Cup (in Raon The Fighter’s case, possibly the Korea Sprint) face off.

Winner’s Man is the defending champion as well as the reigning Korea Cup champion, but Tuhonui Banseok beat him by a full eleven-lengths in a career defining performance in the YTN Cup at Seoul in May. Meanwhile, Raon The Fighter, runner-up in last year’s Korea Cup had been targeted at the Sprint Series this campaign but a bout of colic delayed his return to work by two weeks and he wasn’t ready for the most recent short distance prize. He therefore renews hostilities with Winner’s Man and it makes for a fascinating race.

Raon The Spurt Dominates Gyeongnam Cup as Raon Empire Expands Grip

After a campaign of mainly coming off second-best when it really counts, Raon The Spurt finally got her reward in the shape of a big Group race win as she dominated the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G2) at Busan on Sunday afternoon, securing the final leg of the Queens’ Tour for herself and the overall series title for stablemate Raon First.

Raon The Spurt and Choi Bum-hyun have time to celebrate (Pic: KRA)

Golden Power won all three legs of the Triple Tiara, with Raon The Spurt trailing her home in 3rd in the Luna Stakes and then 2nd in both the Korean Oaks and the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup. Since the end of that series Raon The Spurt had maintained her form better, winning back-to-back races at 1800M and 1200M before running second to Wish Me in the Jeju Governor’s Cup and punters accordingly sent her off as the favourite as the three-year-old pair faced off with their seniors.

Those favourite backers never had a moment’s cause for concern as Raon The Spurt broke well from the plum draw of gate three and quickly got to the lead. Jockey Choi Bum-hyun was able to set a tempo to suit and it proved too hot for the rest as Raon The Spurt cruised to a six-length win in a very fast time.

As for Golden Power, she began as second favourite, but at no stage did she look a danger, settling back and making it up to fifth in the home straight before ultimately weakening and crossing the line in ninth.

Jeju Governor’s Cup track-record breaker Wish Me was sent off as third-favourite and under Antonio Da Silva, was hurried along from her nightmare draw of gate sixteen to loop the field and take the early lead. That gamble was her only chance of prevailing and the question was how long she would stay on after such an early effort over an unfamiliar distance. She ran gamely but would ultimately run out of steam in the home straight, finishing seventh.

Calm Strong, the KNN Cup winner, also drew a poor barrier for a front-runner, having to navigate to the front from gate fourteen and while she was able to race prominently throughout the back straight, she was one of the first to be beaten.

Stepping up to get closest to the winner on the line were 19/1 chance Flat Babe, who settled back under Franco Da Silva and gradually improved as the race went on. She came home in second-place, two-and-a-half lengths clear of Eodigana, a Smarty Moonhak filly who won over the distance in last year’s Triple Tiara final leg. She set off in excess of 80/1.

Raon The Spurt is by Raon’s own stallion Musket Man and out of Japanese-bred mare Tomiken Spring (by Suzuka Mambo). Owned by her breeder, Son Chun-soo of Raon, she is trained by Park Jong-kon. Her victory propels Musket Man to the top of the Leading General Sire rankings despite having just 274 starters throughout 2022 compared to 899 for now second-placed Cowboy Cal. It’s not necessarily only Musket Man’s influence, but also Raon’s attention to early pre-training on their uphill track at their Jeju training centre staffed with not only some very good local, but some skilled overseas grooms too, that is coming together to pay huge dividends.

So Raon The Spurt won the race and Raon First the series for Son Chun-soo and his Raon organization. Raon First is expected to head to the Grand Prix Stakes on December 11th, where she will be joined by Raon The Fighter, the Korea Cup runner-up and KRA Cup Classic winner. The latter is then scheduled for a tilt at the Dubai World Cup Carnival. The Raon Empire is building momentum.

Next weekend, the Champion Juvenile will be crowned with the running of the Breeders’ Cup (1400M KOR-G2) at Busan. Then on December 11th it’s the traditional final Group 1 of the season, the Grand Prix Stakes (2300M KOR-G1), with Raon going in with both barrels, at Seoul Racecourse.  

Calm Strong Claims KNN Cup as Raon First Well Beaten

23/1 chance Calm Strong led from gate-to-wire and held off the closing pack to win the KNN Cup (1600M KOR-G3), the third leg of the 2022 Queens’ Tour at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, with hot favourite Raon First well back down the field.

Calm Strong (right) hold off Wish Me to win the KNN Cup (Pic: KRA)

Making just her tenth career start, Calm Strong bounded out of gate eight and into the lead while Raon First, dwelt slightly and was slowly away, having to settle in an unfamiliar rear position.

While Raon First did improve to 2nd place by the top of the straight, it quickly became clear that it wasn’t going to be her day, her customary acceleration was missing and she dropped back through the field, ultimately finishing 8th.

With You Hyun-myung aboard, Calm Strong was able to hold off the determined late challenges of Wish Me and Yeonggwangui Time, taking the line a neck to the good. Filly Triple Crown winner Golden Power was 4th.

Calm Strong is a three-year-old USA-bred filly by Bayern and out of the Broken Vow mare Diva’ Seastar. Imported as a yearling, she is owned by Lee Hae-lan and trained by Kang Hyoung-gon. Sunday’s victory was just her third but takes her career earnings to KRW 329 Million (US$250,000).

As for Raon First, jockey Choi Bum-hyun reported that having loaded first, his mare had to wait a long time in the gate and then didn’t get away well. He said that having got up to join the leaders, she didn’t maintain her momentum in the way that he expected. An initial veterinary examination found no obvious issues.

The Queens’ Tour goes on hiatus again now until the end of autumn when the fourth and final leg will be the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) once more at Busan on Sunday November 27.

Next weekend Busan takes centre-stage again with the Owners’ Cup (1600M KOR-G2). It’s a race that has in the past been won by the likes of Dangdae Bulpae, Triple Nine, Power Blade and Blue Chipper. Raon First’s stablemate, Raon The Fighter, is expected to run.