Segye Ilbo Trophy

Korea Racing Report: February 13-15 – Speed Young Sprints To Segye Success

SPEED YOUNG (Menifee) showed why he was recently crowned Korean Horse of the Year for 2025 when overcoming many obstacles to become the first Busan prepared horse to take out the Segye Ilbo Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed), the first black type race of 2026. at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday.

On a day where six of the ten races were won by leaders, Speed Young came from the second half of the field to storm down the outside to deny a game YEONGGWANGUI WORLD, who led all bar the last fifty metres.

Speed Young, who had never won over 1200M prior, was outpaced and under pressure in the early stages but, on a front running dominated track, proved to be by far the best under a brilliant first ride on the horse for Jo In-kwon.

ZIGGURAT was a further five-lengths away in 3rd, also coming from well back, ahead of HAKSAN SPEED in 4th.

Korea Sprint 3rd SUPER FINISH and BEST RACE, who drew either side of the stalls, were the next pair home followed by last year’s winner CROWN HAMSEONG.

The major disappointment was the 3.5 favourite MUNHAK BOY who came into the race on a streak of six victories but was effectively beaten from the start, proving unable to get onto the early speed and ultimately, ended eight and three quarters lengths in 10th.

“(Speed Young) hadn’t raced over the distance for a year so there was always that concern,” winning jockey Jo In-kwon told KRBC. “But as soon as I saw Munhak Boy hadn’t managed to get on to the speed, I was more at ease and thought we could win. If Munhak Boy had been in front of me, I would have been anxious, but from then on I just left it to Speed Young.”

Speed Young doesn’t currently hold an entry to the first leg of the Sprint Series next month and trainer Bang Dong-suk was non-committal about where his charge would next run: “The first priority is the health of the horse, but we will consider going back to the Stayer Series. For now, I am happy to start 2026 with a win.”

Earlier, THE CLASSIC (Concord Point) was an impressive eased down twelve-length winner of the opening race. He is a “full” brother to the 2023 KRA Cup Mile (2000 Guineas) winner Betelgeuse and looks to have similar ability based on his debut. Betelgeuse didn’t run again after that Cup Mile win but does stand at Stud and just this month his first foals have been reported to be on the ground.

GENERAL WIND (Yeonseung Daero) justified 2.9 favouritism to impressively lead throughout in race 4 under Kim Yong-geun (1400M Class 5) scoring by four-lengths over 3.3 second pick VALID YOUNG who lost no admirers in second.

The American bred MOVING VOLCANO (Stay Thirsty) was a good one-length winner from the top in race 8 (1200M Class 4). The three-year-old colt was the last of the two winners on the program for both Kim Yong-geun and Hong Dae You in a race which saw fancies MUNHAK DAESE and RAON SPILETTA never land a blow.

CIRCLE A (Higher Power) was yet another front running winner on the program scoring in race 9 (1700M Class 4) by four-lengths and in doing so brought up a riding double for Turkish jockey Furkan Yuksel who earlier scored in race 2 with X-TEN (Mischievously). CC Wong was also among the winners on CHRYSOL STONE (Chrysolite).

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Segye Ilbo Trophy: Preview & Form Comments

It’s been more than two months since the Grand Prix Stakes rounded off the 2025 Korean black type calendar, but big races are finally back as the 2026 season gets underway in earnest at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday with the Segye Ilbo Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed).   

SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN ON SUNDAY

Crown Hamseong bids to defend the Segye Ilbo Trophy (Pic: KRA)

Remarkably a horse who ran in that Grand Prix which, at 2300M, is Korea’s longest race, is back to sprinting in the Segye Ilbo. And it’s none other than reigning Horse of the Year SPEED YOUNG. He may have won the President’s Cup (2000M KOR-G1) and then been 3rd in the Grand Prix but he started last year with 3rd place in this very same race. Known as the “Swiss Army Knife horse”, such is his versatility that he may well be sent off as favourite.

To win though, Speed Young will have to get past last year’s winner, CROWN HAMSEONG. The filly is first-up after almost three months off and has a lot of early speed. If CC Wong can get her into the lead, she may well go all the way. Kookje Shinmun (1400M KOR-G3) winner MUNHAK BOY has won his latest six and will be on pace too with strong claims.

SUPER FINISH was the best locally placed finisher in the Korea Sprint (1200 G3) last September and is not to be discounted while BEST RACE is an up and comer who has won his latest four and tests elite waters for the first time. Impressive last start winner YEONGGWANGUI WORLD rounds out those likely to be at the top of the market.

While the race is restricted to Korean-bred runners, there is plenty of ability – not to mention speed – among the fifteen-strong field:

1. SUPER FINISH – 3rd to Self Improvement and Chikappa in last year’s International Korea Sprint, he was most recently 3rd to Yeonggwangui World in a very quick class 1 over this trip in December. If he gets to the lead, he is a chance.

2. SPEED YOUNG – The reigning Horse of the Year was 3rd in this race a year ago before spending the rest of 2025 in the very best distance races, running 4th in the Korea Cup, winning the President’s Cup and then 3rd in the Grand Prix. He has never won at 1200M, but he is competent over any distance and will probably start as favourite.
3. MUNHAK BOY – Enters having won his last six, most recently the G3 Kookje Shinmun over 1400M at Busan. That distance and a mile would appear to be his go and if the pace is on, this may prove too sharp, but there is no doubting his quality and he is a big chance.

4. YEONGGWANGUI WORLD – 6th in this race last year but struggled in the opening leg of the Sprint Series. Ended 2025 in strong fashion with a blistering class 1 win at this distance in a Korea Sprint time. Races on pace and if he brings that form, he can win.

5. HAKSAN SPEED – Five-time winner at this distance although only up to class 2 level. Races on pace and while he will need to go much quicker here, he still has plenty more scope for development.

6. CROWN HAMSEONG – Last year’s winner, she followed up with 2nd places in two Queens’ Tour legs and behind Vincero Cavallo in the G2 SROA at this distance. Last raced 4th at class 1 level over a mile in November and trialed well last month. Another who likes to lead and a repeat isn’t impossible if she does.

7. TOUGH MAN – The veteran has been well back in his latest two, a Trophy race on international weekend, and then the KRA Sprint at Seoul on Grand Prix day. Big outsider.

8. MIRACLE HANGANG – 5th in the KRA Sprint at Seoul on Grand Prix day, and 4th behind Haksan Speed in his latest on January 17th. Solid class 2 horse but likely overmatched here.

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Segye Ilbo Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (February 15)

The final day’s racing before the Lunar New Year’s holiday sees the first Stakes race of 2026 with the Listed Segye Ilbo Trophy at Seoul. There are 10 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 17:55 and 7 at Busan from 11:25 to 16:55. Here are the previews:

Horse Of The Year Speed Young goes in the Segye Ilbo Trophy (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Competitive maiden opener with four of the ten racing for the first time. We’ll take a chance on a newcomer in the shape of (2) THE CLASSIC. He’s a “full” brother to KRA Cup Mile winner Betelgeuse and went through two trials, just doing enough in the first of them before winning the second with an on pace showing. He should be nice and fit and can win on debut. (1) GANGHAN GAMMA ran a fair 5th on debut on January 17th, settling back and running on. She should have come on for that, and the additional half furlong can suit. (6) NOBLE MATCH has raced twice, improving to 3rd at start number two. She’ll be on pace and can be in the finish. (5) PASA ACE and debut maker (9) SKYLOR TAEHA are others in the mix.

Selections(2) The Classic (1) Ganghan Gamma (6) Noble Match (5) Pasa Ace
Next Best9, 10
Fast Start2, 5, 6, 10

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

(8) YEONGWONHAN STAR has shown steady improvement across her four starts to date, culminating in 2nd place at 1200M on December 13th. She comes in fresh following nine weeks off, in this company she can be on the speed, and she rates as a big chance. (7) BLAZING ENGINE was slow away and never a factor at start two in January but if we go on his 2nd place on debut over 1200M at the end of December, he warrants another chance here. (11) X-TEN was a close 4th over this distance on January 25th and while she has the challenge of the widest gate here, she has finished off her races well and can be threatening late. (5) CHEONJI JACKAL and (9) BEST URBANE other place chances.

Selections(8) Yeongwonhan Star (7) Blazing Engine (11) X-Ten (5) Cheonji Jackal
Next Best9, 1
Fast Start2, 6, 8, 11

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here and while there is only one debut-maker, she goes on top. (11) RUSH WILD led every step of the way to comfortably win her trial in a decent time, working through the line well. If she brings that form to the races, the Hansen filly has every chance first up. (7) VICTORIA CHUKJE has a 2nd and a 5th from two starts so far, beating several of today’s rivals in the process, and she looks like the best of the experienced ones. (2) TAEYANGUIYEOLJEONG was 4th behind Victoria Chukje on the latter’s debut but has a runner-up finish to her name too at this distance and that’s enough to have her in the mix as well. (4) NORTHERN QUEEN and (3) DUBAI CANDY others in the frame.

Selections(11) Rush Wild (7) Victoria Chukje (2) Taeyanguiyeoljeong (4) Northern Queen
Next Best3, 1
Fast Start2, 6, 11, 12

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

Since returning from five months out, (3) PNS GONGJA has finished 3rd twice, first at 1200M in December and then at 1400M on January 10th when he led for most of the way and beat a couple of today’s rivals. Third-up he can be peaking, Maia climbs on for the first time, and he can win (10) MADE ran twice last summer for a 4th and a 3rd and while he hasn’t raced since, he looked well in a January trial and can put in a good effort first-up. (6) MIGHTY CRIS was a much-improved 3rd over 1300M on January 18th, doing his best work late, and the slight increase in distance can suit. (9) PRIMERO and (4) HWANGGEUM MASK are others to consider on a place line.

Selections(3) PNS Gongja (10) Made (6) Mighty Cris (9) Primero
Next Best4, 11
Fast Start3, 4, 8, 11

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(10) FLASH TO ME comes in having beaten three of today’s rivals on his way to 3rd place over 1400M on January 16rg, settling fairly before being ridden up to be handy. The mile can suit, Franco rides for the first time, and he will be a short price to win. (8) MAGIC MIRROR was the second longest shot on the board last time out but defied that to run 3rd on his first try at 1400M. The further extended trip today can be in his favour and he can be in the finish again. (6) MUJEOK BIHAENG did beat Flash To Me when the pair ran 4th and 5th back in early December and she can offer some each-way interest. (3) TAEPYEONG FLEX and (9) BREEDO CAPTAIN are the other main chances.

Selections(10) Flash To Me (8) Magic Mirror (6) Mujeok Bihaeng (3) Taepyeong Flex
Next Best9, 4
Fast Start4, 7, 8, 10

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

(11) VALID YOUNG was a winner on debut over 1200M before running 4th on his first try at this class and distance on January 10th, settling midfield from a wide draw and running on. He can run on again here and he can win. The danger is on his immediate inside. (10) GENERAL WIND overcame the widest gate to win on debut over 1000M and then ran a very close 2nd at 1200M on December 21st at this level. He comes up to 1400M for the first time but if he can get a touch of luck at the start to help him lead, he has every chance. (2) TAEGISAN KING was 2nd at this class and distance on January 17th, coming from off the pace, and he can be in the mix again. (7) ROAD TO STAR and veteran (1) SSANG OK RU other minor money chances.

Selections(11) Valid Young (10) General Wind (2) Taegisan King (7) Road To Star
Next Best1, 5
Fast Start3, 5, 7, 10

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

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CROWN HAMSEONG FRONTS UP FOR CC WONG IN SEGYE ILBO TROPHY

Crown Hamseong wired the field to walk off with the Segye Ilbo Trophy (1200M KOR-Listed) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. The four-year-old filly scored a first Stakes win for herself and in the process a maiden Korean Principal race win for jockey CC Wong.

Crown Hamseong and CC Wong have plenty in hand on Daemnagui Gil on the line (Pic: KRA)

It had been a day for pacesetters with all prior winners on the card having led practically from gate to wire and there was accordingly a cavalry charge to get the coveted leading position after the short run heading into the turn from the six-furlong start. Vincero Cavallo, Naol Sniper, Something Lost, Yeonggwangui World and Saenae Town all tried, but coming out of gate two, CC and Crown Hamseong were too quick for them all.

Opening up a lead of three-lengths into the home straight, Crown Hamseong made the closing stages a procession as the other front-runners fell away. Daemangui Gil and Speed Young would eventually emerge from the rear to get closest, albeit a full two-lengths back on the line. Crown Hamseong returned as the 9.9 fifth favourite in the local win pool.

It was perhaps a race too far for Vincero Cavallo, who showed close to the pace early, but ran out of petrol equally quickly and finished well down the field. The pre-race favourite had run every month since his 6th place in the Korea Sprint and it showed.

As for Speed Young, giving the prevailing track conditions were evidently favouring front-runners, it was always going to be a hard ask given his racing style and widest gate. Under a sensible Kim Hye-sun ride, he perhaps did well to run 3rd.

Veteran Daemangui Gil ran a super race to run 2nd, Kim Tae-hui threading her way through the field late to get closest to the winner. It was a pick-up ride for Kim after scheduled jockey Jung Do-yun suffered a broken shoulder in a fall at Busan on Friday. Jung is expected to be out for several months.

Crown Hamseong [Freedom Child – Choegoya Choego (by Menifee)] is a four-year-old filly who was purchased by her owner Hwang Eui-young for 30 Million Won as a yearling in 2022. Trained by Lee Gwan-ho, she came into the race boasting seven wins from ten starts, up to class 1 level and a mile. She skipped all three legs of the Triple Tiara series last year. She could be very interesting in this year’s Queens’ Tour.

For jockey CC “Jimmy” Wong, it was a 43rd win in Korea and his first in a Listed or Graded Stakes. After an initial very successful stint in the country early in 2024, he returned to Singapore to see out the final days of racing in the Lion City but returned in late autumn and is gradually picking up from where he left off.

CC Wong is part of a very strong visiting jockey group at Seoul that also includes Ruan Maia, Kozzi Asano and Harry Kasim, as well as long-time Korea based multiple Group winner Johan Victoire and former Champion Apprentice in Turkey, Furkan Yuksel.

Next weekend, attention turns to the three-year-old crop with Triple Crown Classic trials at both Seoul and Busan.

Segye Ilbo Trophy Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (February 16)

For the first time in more than two months Stakes race action returns to Korea as the Listed Segye Ilbo Trophy over 1200M takes place at Seoul on Sunday afternoon. 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:

Last year’s Segye Ilbo was won by Vics Go, who doesn’t return to defend his title (Pic: KRA)

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

(2) ROAD TO A SPUR has made steady progress across three starts so far, culminating in 3rd place over this distance on December 22nd. CC stays on, he draws well to lead and today can be the day. (11) SPARTAN has mixed his form across seven appearances so far with his best being a pair of 3rd places over this distance. He has the fastest time among these for the 1200M and while he has the challenge of the widest gate, he can be a danger. (8) BS STORM was a fair 5th on debut over 1300M on December 28th, starting well before getting shuffled right back but then running on. He should have come on for the run and be closer here. (9) STUNNING WORLD and (6) NONSTOP SERVE others who can be considered.

Selections(2) Road To A Spur (11) Spartan (8) BS Storm (9) Stunning World
Next Best6, 5
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 10

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

Fillies only in this maiden and plenty look ready to win. (6) TURBO CHARGE ran 4th a couple of times before an improved 2nd over 1400M on January 4th when she led for much of the way around. She comes back slightly in trip, she draws well to lead again, and she can win. (2) MUNHAK BELL was 6th on debut before running 2nd at start number two over 1200M on January 5th, settling in the front end of midfield and running on. Third up she can be peaking fitness wise and has every chance. (5) RAON THE AFFIRMED ran 3rd in that January 5th race having also shown on the speed. She has two-and-a-half lengths to make up on Munhak Bell but looks good for at least another place finish. (7) GRAY PHANTOM and (4) GWANAKSAN WONDERFUL are among plenty of others who have shown potential.

Selections(6) Turbo Charge (2) Munhak Bell (5) Raon The Affirmed (7) Gray Phantom
Next Best4, 10
Fast Start2, 5, 6, 9

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

(3) LADY BLUE beat three of these on her way to an improved 2nd place on January 18th, racing on pace throughout over 1300M. Like most of these, she comes up to1400M for the first time, she draws well to lead again, and she can go one better. (4) BLACK SMILE ran 5th in that January 18th race having gone well back and run on. That continued signs of her having started to figure things out and Maia climbing on means she can continue to make progress here. (5) YONGAM GIPPEUM also looks to be on the right trajectory and comes in off a 4th place at this distance last time out. He likes to settle back and run on, and he can be a danger late here. (8) HEEMANGBAND and (10) EAGLE WINGS are others who may improve.

Selections(3) Lady Blue (4) Black Smile (5) Yongam Gippeum (8) Heemangband
Next Best10, 2
Fast Start2, 3, 6, 7

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

Fillies only in this maiden. (9) KYUNGNAM DRAGON ran twice last summer for a 4th and a 2nd at 1000M and 1200M. She hasn’t raced since but she looked well when 3rd in a January trial and Seo Seung-un partnering with Bart Rice means she should be sent off as favourite. (8) RIGHT CHAMP has been getting closer in recent starts, most recently when 3rd at 1400M on January 19th. In this company, she can be on pace and has a chance (4) THE NOMINATE was 7th on debut last May and then didn’t reappear until January 19th when she was a solid 3rd place at this distance. She should strip fitter for that run and can press again here. (12) QUEEN TYCHE was 2nd in that January 19th race, her best so far and she can be in the mix again. (10) ILLUSION another place contender.

Selections(9) Kyungnam Dragon (8) Right Champ (4) The Nominate (12) Queen Tyche
Next Best10, 1
Fast Start1, 8, 9, 12

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

It’s hard to go far past (1) ECLIPSE EDGE here. He got his maiden win at start three over this distance last November and then following a dodgy day at the office on his first try at this level, ran 3rd on January 18th, again over this trip. He likes to race on pace or handy and won’t need to improve much to win this. Plenty of others enter in form though. (5) BAEKDU ILSEONG is one for one having scored on debut over 1200M on November 11th. The way he ran on suggests the increase in trip can only suit and the class rise shouldn’t be a problem. (2) HAKSAN CAIRO was 5th behind Eclipse Edge on January 18th on his first try at this class. He comes into a much better gate today and can get closer. (6) ORANGE TIME and (3) EAST GANGJEOK are the other main chances.

Selections(1) Eclipse Edge (5) Baekdu Ilseong (2) Haksan Cairo (6) Orange Time
Next Best3, 10
Fast Start1, 3, 10, 11

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(8) INDY GHOST has finished 3rd in both outings so far most recently in a slow (even by current standards) race at this distance on January 12th when midfield and running on. Third up she can be peaking, Munro is on, and she can win. (10) GOD NIKE has picked up in her latest two, with back-to-back 3rd places. She likes to settle back and run on so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and she can get even closer today. (11) DOCTOR CASTLE has mixed his form across his four appearances so far. Three of those have been over a mile but he does have the fastest time at this distance (in as much as times are relevant presently with the slow track) and can be a danger here. (5) BARBELL TROFEO, who needs a line through his latest, and (1) RAON FLATTER are others in the hunt.

Selections(8) Indy Ghost (10) God Nike (11) Doctor Castle (5) Barbell Trofeo
Next Best1, 6
Fast Start1, 5, 9, 10

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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Wow Wow Stuns Raon Pair in Segye Ilbo

Wow Wow came from off the pace to score a 46/1 upset in the Segye Ilbo Trophy at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, leaving the green colours of the hotly fancied “Raon” pair, Raon First and Raon The Spurt, back down the track behind him.

Wow Wow came from off the pace to win the Listed Segye Ilbo Trophy under Song Jae-chul (Pic: KRA)

After a year where owner Son Chun-soo’s Raon stable had dominated, his progressive four-year-old filly Raon The Spurt, was sent off as favourite for the Segye Ilbo (1200M KOR-Listed), the first Stakes race on the 2023 calendar, with stablemate and President’s Cup winner Raon First second in the market, ahead of Jeju Governor’s Trophy winning mare Wish Me.

While Raon First was slow out of the gate, Raon The Spurt cruised into the lead alongside fellow Group winner East Jet. But on a rare day at Seoul where the track was not kind to front-runners – nine of the eleven winners on the card emerged from the rear – the leaders were in trouble entering the straight and by the furlong pole, both had wilted.

Raon First launched a home straight challenge through traffic but the longshot pair of Wow Wow and Jangsan Laser were quicker, flashing down the outside with Wow Wow, who had settled right back in the pack in the early exchanges, coming home a length-and-a-quarter to the good. Raon First was 3rd.

With the race being restricted to Korean-bred runners, the Nasca organization’s Korea Sprint winning star Eoma Eoma was ineligible but they also own Wow Wow, a four-year-old colt by Cowboy Cal and out of the Forest Camp mare Jjak Kkung, who did her racing in Korea, winning six of twenty-six starts.

Wow Wow was on last year’s Classic trail and overcame gate fifteen to run 5th in the Korean Derby before an indifferent run in the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Minister’s Cup. Before Sunday, the highest level he had won at was class 4. He is trained by Song Moon-gil and was ridden by Song Jae-chul, who was winning just his third Stakes race after successes in the YTN Cup (then not a group race) in 2015 on Areumdaun Donghaeng and then guiding Saenae Town to victory in the Listed NACF Chairman’s Trophy last November.

There are no Listed or Graded races in Korea in February, with the next big events on the calendar the three-year-old Classic trials at Seoul and Busan on March 19.