Stayer Series

Busan Mayor’s Cup 2025 – Form Comments

Global Hit returned from Dubai to successfully uphold local honour by seeing off Japan’s Yumeno Honoo in last month’s YTN Cup. Now, the highest rated horse in Korea makes a return to the track where he does his training, but scarcely ever races, as he headlines the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2), the final leg of the Stayer Series, at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES ACROSS BUSAN AND SEOUL.

Global Hit was far too good in the YTN Cup (Pic: KRA)

While he does his day-to-day training on the track, since his breakout performance in the 2023 Korean Derby, only one of Global Hit’s subsequent fourteen outings have been at home. That was in this race last year when as favourite, he was narrowly beaten into second by Tuhonui Banseok. He’ll be favourite again.

Tuhonui Banseok is the double defending Champion having won the race in both 2023 and 2024 but on recent form, SPEED YOUNG shapes as the main danger. The stablemate of Global Hit was 2nd in both previous legs of the series, the Herald Business (2000M KOR-G3) and YTN Cup (2000M KOR G3). SUCCESS BAEKPA won the Herald, and along with TIZ BAROWS and NUT PLAY will be among the next line of favourites.

Here’s a rundown of the full field of fourteen for the big race which, for live TV purposes (KBS N Sports in Korea), is race 2 at Busan with the early post time of 13:10:  

1. BYEOLNARA JILJU – The lowest rated in the field by a considerable margin and while he placed at class 2 level over 2000M in February, he is a big outsider here.

2. NAOL SNIPER – Hasn’t quite kicked on this year and with a 6th and a 12th in the two prior legs of the series, and on those efforts, he has plenty to find here.

3. TUHONUI BANSEOK – Winner of this race the past two years, he ended 2024 with 2nd to Global Hit in the Grand Prix but was well back in both legs of this series so far. Return to Busan may help and not to be dismissed.

4. SPEED YOUNG – Stablemate to Global Hit and the main danger. Has finished between 2nd and 4th in each of his last six starts, all at Seoul and all at Group (or Listed) level. Tactically versatile and will run on but has five-lengths to find on Global Hit. Solid place chance but will be a short price for that.

5. GLOBAL HIT – Returned from Dubai to win the YTN Cup in dominant fashion. This is a rare big race missing from his CV and while he hasn’t scored at 1800M since his 2023 Derby victory, at anything like his best, he wins.

6. BEOLMAUI MONSTER – First time in Graded company, he got back-to-back wins at the turn of the year at class 2 before running 2nd at class 1 over 2000M at the end of March. On pace or handy but this is a hard ask at level weights.

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GLOBAL HIT AND SPEED YOUNG SEE OFF BRAVE YUMENO HONOO IN YTN

In the end all parties emerged with heads held high. Global Hit ran out a comfortable five-length winner of the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3) sparing any possible blushes for the local contingent, while Japan’s Yumeno Honoo ran with enormous credit, finishing 3rd, just a head behind Speed Young in 2nd on his first time racing outside of Kochi and on an anticlockwise track.

Global Hit successfully defends the YTN Cup (Pic: KRA)

Korean punters certainly respected the visitor, Yumeno Honoo being sent off the 2.3 second favourite to Global Hit’s 1.9, those the only two in the market on a win line. And any doubts about the unfamiliar environment affecting Yumeno Honoo’s starting manners were dispelled when he leapt out on pace and tracked Miracle Marine, who as expected sprung out of gate two and into the lead.

Global Hit meanwhile had to navigate from gate twelve racing handy but wide for much of the early part of the race, with jockey Kim Hye-sun evidently determined not to allow Yumeno Honoo and Hiroto Yoshihara to get the jump on them.

By the time they entered the home straight, Global Hit was straining to be let loose and after Miracle Marine gave way, Global Hit cruised past new leader Yumeno Honoo as well as his stablemate Speed Young and dominated the closing stages. Yumeno Honoo was headed by Speed Young but was a full length and a half clear of Herald Business winner Success Baekpa in 4th.

“I always try to enjoy myself, but I felt pressure until yesterday” winning jockey Kim Hye-sun, for who Global Hit has been a career-defining horse, told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “There is always a lot of expectation and support for Global Hit, but I think it was more intense this time with the Japanese horse here.”

“I know there was some doubt about how he would fare after Dubai, but the result speaks for itself. There were so many variables coming into this race, but we wanted to be on pace and once the gate opened, he began well. I thought (Yumeno Honoo) might go a little faster and I was surprised how well we won by.”

Winning trainer Bang Dong-suk, who also saddled Speed Young to 2nd place, said that Global Hit has benefitted from his Dubai trip. “I think he has grown – or upgraded would be a better word – through his time in Dubai. He returned healthy so was ready for this.”

“I discussed (with jockey Kim Hye-sun) and we decided to go forward as much as possible at the start, like he did in Dubai.”

“Japanese horses are renowned the world over and although (Yumeno Honoo) is from a local racecourse, I had a lot of respect for him. So, I am very happy to win.”

Global Hit and Kim Hye-sun in the YTN Winner’s Circle (Pic: KRA)

Quizzed on what was next for Global Hit – the potential for a rare outing at his home track of Busan in the final leg of the Stayer Series, the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) followed by the KRA Cup Classic in August and then the Korea Cup in September the logical path – the trainer played a straight bat.

“The only thing that determines it is (Global Hit’s) health. We will do our best to help him be fit and healthy and then decide where to go.”

Speed Young’s jockey Park Jae-I (who is married to Kim Hye-sun) also spoke after the race. “I was pleased with how it went, better than I expected. I was wide but I didn’t really have a choice from gate fifteen and I just wanted to get as close as possible. I had hoped for more of a kick at the end, but Global Hit was out of sight.”

“Global Hit is really strong” said Yumeno Honoo’s rider Hiroto Yoshihara. “I was worried about the start, but it all went smoothly, and I was able to settle into 2nd place. Yumeno Honoo gave his best and really the race couldn’t have gone any better.”

Yumeno Honoo flies back to Japan on Monday afternoon, and he goes back having demonstrated that the Kochi form can stand up. It may not be too long until another Japanese visitor tries their luck here with Strike On among the preliminary nominations for the final leg of the Sprint Series on May 18th.

Global Hit moves on to eleven wins from nineteen starts. The Korea Cup will be harder. Fit and healthy, of course.

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

GLOBAL HIT SEEKS STAYER SWEEP IN LUNCHTIME TV SHOWDOWN

Global Hit can further establish himself as the top horse in Korea if he wins the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) and in doing so complete a clean sweep of the Stayer Series in front of the KBS N Sports cameras at Busan Racecourse early on Sunday afternoon. See here for race-by-race preview of all races at Seoul and Busan.

Gloabl Hit beat Speed Young and (out of shot) Tuhonui Banseok in the YTN (Pic: KRA)

Having already taken out the first two legs of the Stayer Series, the Herald Business Cup (2000M KOR-G3) and the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3), both at Seoul, Global Hit, who was crowned champion three-year-old last year having taken out two legs of the Triple Crown, will be the favourite to score again over a similar field.

By To Honor And Serve, GLOBAL HIT is a winner of seven of his twelve races and was runner-up to Winner’s Man in both the President’s Cup and Grand Prix Stakes to round out his 2023 campaign. He is two for two this season with his wins in the opening two legs of the Stayer Series, both times overcoming a wide draw to settle back and prove too strong. He has a furlong less to play with this time and while he races at what is ostensibly his home track of Busan for the first time in more than a year, he can be too good again.

He has thirteen rivals to contend with. TUHONUI BANSEOK won this race and the YTN Cup last year, both times defeating Winner’s Man to be crowned the Series champion. Although his form tailed off slightly towards the end of 2023, the Bart Rice trainee was a fair 5th in the Grand Prix Stakes before returning to run 3rd in the Herald Business and then 2nd in the YTN, only going down by a nose to Global Hit in the latter. He draws very nicely to be on pace, and he can be a big danger. Seo Seung-un climbs back on.

NUT PLAY registered a 4th and two 3rd place finishes in the Triple Crown Series last year before scooping up a Listed prize in the autumn. A comfortable class 1 winner over this distance in February, he ran a close 2nd to Global Hit in the Herald Business, before running 4th in the YTN Cup. Both times he has a got a bit far back but with the drop back to 1800M as well as an excellent draw, he may be ridden closer this time and can have a say in the finish.

Former Champion Juvenile SPEED YOUNG was highly fancied in the first two legs of last year’s Triple Crown but didn’t live up to expectations. He redeemed himself somewhat with a close 2nd to Global Hit – his stablemate – in the final leg, the Minister’s Cup and then a 3rd place behind Winner’s Man and Global Hit in the President’s Cup. With a 5th and a 3rd from the first two legs of the Stayer Series, he should be a contender again.

GALAXY ROAD and ALIVE STAR bookend the barrier in gates one and fourteen respectively. Both are in the best form of their careers at age six and may have a say. Veteran SIMJANGUI GODONG was well back in the first two races in the series but can’t be ruled out of a return to form.

The Busan Mayor’s Cup is race 3 on the 7-race program at Busan with a local post time of 13:35. Admission to the racecourse is free and the race will be shown live in Korea on the SBS N Sports Channel.

Selections(11) Global Hit (6) Tuhonui Banseok (5) Nut Play (1) Galaxy Road
Next Best3, 14
Fast Start3, 6, 7, 11

Busan Mayor’s Cup Sunday- Busan & Seoul: Race-By-Race Preview (May 26)

The Stayer Series heads to Busan on Sunday when Global Hit will seek to complete a clean sweep by winning the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2). Unusually the big race is race 3 on the card with a post time of 1.35pm, in order to accommodate live TV coverage (SBS N Sports). There are 6 races in Busan on Sunday from 11:25 to 17:00 as well as 10 in Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Global Hit won the Herald Business Cup (Pic: KRA)

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

Competitive opener. (6) GEUMAK MYEONGJANG enters off his best finish to date at start number five on April 28th when racing handy over this distance and finishing 2nd, well beaten by a good winner, but ahead of a couple of today’s rivals. He can sit behind the speed here and can go one better. (5) NAOL INDY raced once without distinction last summer and then didn’t reappear until this April. Now gelded, he has a 4th and a 2nd in two stars back, most recently leading almost the entire way around over this distance on May 5th. Third-up he can be peaking and can win. (1) SAMAEBEONJJEOK enters off back-to-back 3rd place finishes and comes up to this distance for the first time having drawn well. (3) EURACHACHA and (9) CHROMITE others in the frame.

Selections(6) Geumak Myeongjang (5) Naol Indy (1) Samaebeonjjeok (3) Eurachacha
Next Best9, 7
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 5

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

Fillies only in this maiden, and (7) CROQUIS will be the favourite. She enters off a 3rd and a 4th in her latest two appearances, both over 1300M and both times having sat handy and run on. The slight step up in trip can suit and, in this company, she should be on pace and is the one to beat. (2) P N S GAJA enters off an improved 4th place at start number three on April 21st when ridden on pace for the first time. She draws well for similar tactics to be employed today and she can be competitive. (11) ARNOLD QUEEN does have experience at this distance. She ran 5th behind Croquis at 1300M on March 30th on what was her first start since January and while she has had another eight weeks off, she can get closer here. (8) NEXTLEVEL and (9) CLAIR GOLD are others who can compete for the minors.

Selections(7) Croquis (2) P N S Gaja (11) Arnold Queen (8) Nextlevel
Next Best9, 9
Fast Start2, 4, 7, 10

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

Maiden fillies in the south coast opener. It’s fair to say that she has mixed her form across her five starts so far but (11) BLISS MARINE has a 3rd and a 2nd to her name at 1400M and 1600M. She likes to race on pace and while she has drawn wide, her pattern so far suggests she can run well today, and she won’t need to improve much on those precious showings to win here. (5) NEOM CITY enters off an improved 4th place over this distance at start number five on April 28th. In doing so, she recorded the fastest time among any of these for the distance and a similar effort will see her in the finish again. (1) JUMBO ROCKET also enters off her best finish to date, which came over 1400M on April 5th. She was ridden much further forward than in previous starts and she is nicely drawn for a repat here. (9) RUN TO QUEEN and (6) WE LIKE MONEY others in the hunt

Selections(11) Bliss Marine (5) Neom City (1) Jumbo Rocket (9) Run To Queen
Next Best6, 8
Fast Start3, 7, 9, 11

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(4) CAMP DAVID comes in off a much-improved 2nd at start number three on April 20th when handy throughout. He comes up to 1700M for the first time and from a good draw should be on pace, and he can win here. (8) P N S OHOH ran 3rd on debut over 1200M on May 11th, settling just behind the speed and running through the line pleasingly enough. He should have derived benefit from that run and with some natural improvement can challenge a bit closer today. (9) MAGIC PRINCE has a 5th and a 4th from two starts so far, most recently at 1400M. His running style suggests that two turns can suit, and he should be challenging late. (2) MARUBYEOL and (3) MEOTJIN CHOEGANG are others in the placing frame.

Selections(4) Camp David (8) P N S Ohoh (9) Magic Prince (2) Marubyeol
Next Best3, 1
Fast Start3, 4, 8, 9

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

Competitive maiden. (1) THUNDER GUY ran 4th on debut in March and followed up with a 2nd place over 1300M on April 21st when on pace throughout and only going down very narrowly to the longest shot on the board. He draws very well here, Seo Seung-un climbs aboard, and he can go one better today. (9) AWESOME SUNRISE enters off a career-best 2nd place at start number nine on April 26th when coming from off the pace over this distance. In doing so, she recorded the fastest time among those here who have tackled the 1400M and she shapes as the main danger. There is one debut maker. (5) OASIS BLUE took two trials to qualify but he certainly caught the eye on the second of them, running 2nd in a quick time. The trainer/jockey combination will not go unnoticed either and he will have backers first-up. (11) WORLD MAID CAT and (4) GLOBAL SPURT are others who can enter the calculations.

Selections(1) Thunder Guy (9) Awesome Sunrise (5) Oasis Blue (11) World Maid Cat
Next Best4, 8
Fast Start1, 3, 5, 6

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(1) NARAOLA will be the warm favourite here. He got his win over 1400M three starts back and come sin having run 3rd on his first try at this distance on April 28th when overcoming gate eleven to find a handy position. He enters under a similar weight but draws a much better gate and will take some beating. (5) HEUIMANGUI CHANGA has plenty of experience of this class and distance with a 2nd place on his record over it. He likes to settle back and run on, and he can be a danger. (8) THORUI MANGCHI has placed at this class over 1400M, and he comes up to two turns for the first time. He has shown he can be versatile in his running style and the distance may well suit. (7) FEDERAL KING and (2) ANYANG CHEONDUNG ae the other logical money chances.

Selections(1) Naraola (5) Heuimangui Changa (8) Thorui Mangchi (7) Federal King
Next Best2, 6
Fast Start1, 4, 6, 8

Busan Race 3: Class Open (1800M) Weight for Age / Busan Mayor’s Cup (KOR G2) / KRW 700 Million

The final leg of the Stayer Series sees (11) GLOBAL HIT looking to complete a clean sweep having already taken out the Herald Business and the YTN Cups at Seoul, both over 2000M. He is steadily asserting himself as the best horse in Korea and he will be hot favourite to prevail again. Should he not be at his best then (6) TUHONUI BANSEOK is an ever-present danger. He was 3rd in the Herald and 2nd in the YTN, and he is the defending champion. He draws nicely to be on pace and Global Hit has a furlong less to get past him here than he did in Seoul. (5) NUT PLAY was 2nd in the Herald and 4th in the YTN. If he can take advantage of the favourable draw here to get in front of Global Hit and make the favourite come past him instead of the other way around, he can be firmly in the finish. (1) GALAXY ROAD hasn’t really managed to mix it in with the elite but enters in very good form and Franco staying on gives him a chance from off the pace. (3) SPEED YOUNG is a stablemate of Global Hit and was 5th in the Herald and 3rd in the YTN. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he has a big win in him eventually and from a good draw, it is not impossible it could be today.

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GLOBAL HIT DOWNS TUHONUI BANSEOK IN LAST GASP YTN SUCCESS

Tuhonui Banseok put up a valiant defence of his title, but Global Hit ultimately wrested it away from him with a last gasp drive to win the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3), the second leg of the Stayer Series, in the very final stride at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Global Hit pursues Tuhonui Banseok in sight of the line (Pic: KRA)

Global Hit had been on the wrong side of a photo-finish when going down to Winner’s Man in last December’s Grand Prix, but with Winner’s Man out of the picture, and Global Hit having won the first leg of the series, the Herald Business Trophy (2000M KOR-G3) in March, the four-year-old was sent off a warm favourite to once again defy a wide draw and  take out the Stayer second leg.

Tuhonui Banseok set off meaning business. Under Chae Sang-hyun the now five-year-old, who won the race by a remarkable eleven-lengths a year ago, went straight to the lead alongside 100/1 outsider Bolt Man. Kim Hye-sun aboard Global Hit meanwhile used the same tactics she did in the Herald Business and rode patiently, setting up camp in midfield and gradually improving as the field made their way down the back.

Pic: KRA

It was a brave effort from Tuhonui Banseok and while Global Hit inexorably raised the pressure in the sprint, he would not go down without a fight and continued to hold the younger horse at bay. They crossed the line together, but momentum saw Global Hit strike the front just when it mattered, the margin a nose. Speed Young, a stablemate of Global Hit, was a length back in 3rd.

Pre-race the market consensus was that the biggest danger was Nut Play, who got within a length of Global Hit in the Herald Business and drew a better gate this time around. Just like the Herald Business, jockey Jo Jae-ro opted to follow favourite. They would not get on terms and ultimately finished 4th. Wonderful Slew, the only filly or mare in the race, was a game 5th.

The diminutive Global Hit [To Honor And Serve – Tammy’s Victress (by Yankee Victor)] may not look like a racehorse, but he is fast and gutsy and he moves on to seven wins from twelve starts. For jockey Kim Hye-sun, as well as trainer Bang Dong-suk, he is proving to be a career-defining horse. He is owned by Kim Joon-hyun, who also had Minister’s Cup winner Hit Yegam in Winner’s Man’s year.

Jockey Kim will have plenty of time to reflect on the win as she picked up a four-meeting ban for the way she came off the fence to the detriment of Wonderful Slew on the 3rd corner.

The final leg of the Stayer Series is the slightly shorter Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) on the south coast on Sunday May 26. Tuhonui Banseok is the defending champion there too having lifted himself up off the canvas to go past Winner’s Man. He will need all that and more if he is to prevent Global Hit from carrying off a clean sweep.

Next week, the focus moves to the filly and mare division and the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2), the second leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer at Seoul on Sunday afternoon. Jeulgeounyeojeong heads the field with Raon The Spurt looking the main danger.

Can Nut Play Overturn Form on Global Hit in YTN Cup?

The Stayers’ Series reaches its second stage on Sunday when a field of fifteen line up for the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse. SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN ON SUNDAY.

Global Hit remains the one to beat in the YTN Cup (Pic: KRA)

After running 2nd to Winner’s Man in both the President’s Cup and Grand Prix Stakes, last year’s Korean Derby winner Global Hit asserted his claim to be the new King of Korean racing with victory in the Herald Business (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul last month.

Despite Winner’s Man being out of the picture for the foreseeable future – and possibly to be retired – the margin of victory was less than a length as another four-year-old, Nut Play was bearing down on Global Hit. The pair head the line up for the YTN and a reversal in form shouldn’t be ruled out.

At his best though, (14) GLOBAL HIT may prove hard to beat. He draws the same wide gate as he did in the Herald Business and Kim Hye-sun on board will be very aware of the threat that Nut Play – and others – can pose. Expect tactics to be adjusted accordingly.

(3) NUT PLAY also featured on the Triple Crown trail last year, running 4th in the KRA Cup Mile, before 3rd place finishes in both the Korean Derby and the Minister’s Cup. He picked up a Listed win last September over 1800M and began this year with a victory at class 1 level before his Herald Business runner-up. He comes into a much better gate this time.

Although they will be at the top of the market, this is no two-horse race. (7) TUHONUI BANSEOK is the defending champion, having demolished a field including Winner’s Man by an astonishing eleven-lengths. He made his season re-appearance in the Herald Business, running a creditable 3rd. A big run is possible here.

The wildcard is a stablemate of Tuhonui Banseok’s. In fact, it isn’t initially obvious which is the second string from the Bart Rice barn as (2) JEONGMUN COBIT enters in sensational form, having won his latest four at distances between 1400M and 2000M, posting some very quick times and for the most part, giving away weight. This is a step into the unknown competition wise, but he may well step up.

(10) SPEED YOUNG was champion juvenile in 2022 and has consistently threatened to break through at the very top level, including a strong 2nd behind Global Hit in the Minister’s Cup and a 3rd in the President’s Cup. He can mix his form, but he was a fair 5th in the Herald Business and shouldn’t be dismissed today.

Others who may find some interest at longer prices include (11) CHIEF INDY and the only filly in the race, Luigi Riccardi’s (4) WONDERFUL SLEW.

The YTN Cup is race 7 on the 11-race card at Seoul on Sunday which runs from 10:35 to 18:00. There are also 6 races at Busan from 11:25 to 16:05.

Selections(14) Global Hit (3) Nut Play (2) Jeongmun Cobit (7) Tuhonui Banseok
Next Best10, 11
Fast Start5, 6, 7, 10, 14

Global Hit Takes Stayer Series Opener

Global Hit made his debut as an older horse and last year’s champion three-year-old stepped up to win the Herald Business Cup (2000M KOR-G3), the first leg of the 2024 Stayer Series at a sunny Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Global Hit makes his decisive move in the Herald Business (Pic: KRA)

Sent off as the 1.7 odds-on favourite locally, Global Hit overcame Tuhonui Banseok and then saw off a late challenge from Nut Play to score by three-quarters of a length in the 500 Million Won race. With 4-year-olds coming home in 1st and 2nd, a week after Raon The Point and Something Lost did the same in the Sprint Series, younger horses are coming to the fore at the longer distances too.

It was a fourth Group winner for jockey Kim Hye-sun, and her third on Global Hit. Going into the race, Kim had expressed confidence that Global Hit had trained on over the winter and that belief was shown in the ride, where from a wide draw, she was happy to be patient early (a telling off from stewards for shifting in too soon after the start notwithstanding) before steadily improving and making her move in the home straight, only striking the front in the last half-furlong, running on to win by three-quarters of a length from Nut Play with Tuhonui Banseok in 3rd.

“I was a bit concerned about the draw, but Global Hit’s racing habit is that if he exerts too much energy early in the race, he won’t run well, so I was able to take him back at the start” Kim explained to in-house broadcaster KRBC.

Global Hit and Kim Hye-sun return to scale (Pic: KRA)

Global Hit was racing for the first time in three months and jockey Kim admitted that this had also been a source of anxiety for her. “The owner and the trainer wanted to give him a proper rest after what he did last year but as a jockey I wondered if he might be better (to have a prep race). But looking back now and seeing how some other horses have picked up injuries, I realise that they were absolutely right.”

Still lightly raced, Global Hit [To Honour And Serve – Tammy’s Victress (by Yankee Victor)] is a winner of six from eleven and 1.8 Billion Korean Won in prize money. He skipped the first leg of the Triple Crown last year but went on to comfortably score in both the Korean Derby and the Minister’s Cup before running 2nd to Winner’s Man in both the President’s Cup and then, by just a nose in the season ending Grand Prix Stakes. He has won six of eleven starts.

Pic: KRA

The second leg of the Stayer Series is the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul on April 21st before the series concludes on May 26th with the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) on the south coast. The KRA Cup Classic (2000M KOR-G2) has been moved forward two months to August 4th this year in order to serve as a final stepping stone to the international Korea Cup in early September. As for the two final G1 races of the year, the President’s Cup is in October this year with the Grand Prix on the very first day of December.

Owner Kim Joon-hyun confirmed that Global Hit will be pointed to the remaining races in the Stayer Series but didn’t mention the Korea Cup, in which he finished a creditable midfield last year, telling KRBC “I am considering letting him rest for a bit and then sending him to the President’s Cup and Grand Prix.” He then added: “He truly is a great horse.”

Winner’s Man Heads Stayer Series 2nd Leg Field Sunday

The Stayer Series holds its second leg at Seoul Racecourse this Sunday as ten go to post for the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3). And with Raon The Fighter now firmly ensconced atop the sprinting ranks following his dominant wins in the Busan Ilbo Sprint in April and the SBS Sports Sprint last weekend, the path appears clear for Winner’s Man to continue his dominance over the longer trips. 

Winner’s Man won the 1st leg of the Stayer Series from Tuhonui Banseok. (Pic: KRA)

Having won the Korea Cup and Grand Prix Stakes in 2022, WINNER’S MAN, who also won the Korea Derby as a three-year-old, began the Stayer Series as the one to beat and he duly obliged in the first leg, the Herald Business Trophy (2000M KOR-G3) on April 16th when he struck the front in the home straight and ran on to win by three-lengths. Over the same distance and under a set weight scale, it is hard to see any other result on Sunday.

Winner’s Man does throw in the odd poor run though. He looked undercooked when 3rd behind Raon First in last November’s President’s Cup, and he was out of sorts when 4th on his seasonal re-appearance at class 1 level over 1800M in February. He was giving 8kg away that day but with all due respect to that day’s winner Flat Babe, Winner’s Man shouldn’t have been losing to her.

As for those who can take advantage should the favourite be below his best, TUHONUI BANSEOK looks the most likely. He was another who had an off day in that February Class 1 behind Flat Babe although in finishing 3rd, he did at least beat Winner’s Man. He ran 2nd in the Herald Business building on his breakthrough performance when 3rd in the Grand Prix Stakes, when he made excellent ground to almost catch Winner’s Man and Raon The Fighter. One of two in the race for trainer Bart Rice along with lively outsider Jessieui Kkum, Tuhonui Banseok will be a clear second-favourite again.

Tunhonui Banseok isn’t the only one in the gate to have finished ahead of Winner’s Man. SIMJANGUI GODONG did that when 2nd to Raon First when attempting to defend his President’s Cup (2000M KOR-G1) last November. He skipped the Herald Business but returned to the winner’s circle at Class 1 level over 2000M in April.  Moon Se-young returns to the ride and he is a clear place chance again.

The top-three in the Herald Business was rounded out by BARBARIAN, a length and a quarter in arrears of Tuhonui Banseok. He too will be backed to place again. BLACK MASK had a poor day at the office in the Herald Business but shapes as the next best in what will be a final Group race ride for the retiring jockey Ham Wan-sik.

The YTN Cup is race 8 on Sunday’s 11-race card at Seoul Racecourse with a local post time of 16:10.

Winner’s Man Too Good In Successful Herald Business Defence

Winner’s Man won the opening leg of the Stayer Series a year ago on his way to a clean sweep, and at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, he demonstrated he has lost none of his superiority at the longer distances with a comfortable defence of the Herald Business Cup (2000M KOR-G3).

Winner’s Man goes clear of Tuhonui Banseok in the Herald Business (Pic: KRA)

The 2022 Korea Sprint and Grand Prix Stakes winner had been known to throw in the odd lackluster performance, such as when 3rd in last November’s G1 President’s Cup and especially when 4th in his tune up for this, a handicap over 1800M at Busan in February. Winner’s Man though returned to action this time leaner, having come down 15kg in body weight since that setback, and was sent off the 1.5 favourite in the local win pool.

Raon The Spurt, the only filly, set the pace as Winner’s Man slotted into 4th place among ten in the early exchanges with Black Musk and Tuhonui Banseok, the Grand Prix Stakes 3rd, between them. As the field made their way down the back straight, just after halfway, Seo Seung-un took Winner’s Man up closer to join Raon The Spurt and the rest was inevitable.

Winner’s Man struck the front shortly after they turned into the home straight and while Tuhonui Banseok briefly closed the gap up the inside rail, when Seo asked for an effort, Winner’s Man responded and opened up clear daylight again, ultimately crossing the line three-lengths to the good over the Bart Rice-trained Tuhonui Banseok. Barbarian made it a one-two-three for Busan-trained gallopers with Raon The Spurt a brave 4th the best of the Seoul home team.

Seo Seung-un and Winner’s Man (Pic: KRA)

Winner’s Man [Musket Man – Winner’s Marine (by Volponi)] moved on to fifteen wins from twenty-two starts. For jockey Seo Seung-un, it was a thirteenth Group winner, and his fifth on Winner’s Man.  For trainer Choi Ki-hong, who only has eighteen horses in training, it was a fifth Group win (a year ago, the Herald Business only had Listed status).

The next leg in the Stayer Series is the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3) back at Seoul on May 21st before the series moves to Busan for the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) on July 2nd. Winner’s Man won both those races in 2022 and barring setbacks, few will be betting against him repeating the feat this time around.

In other news, spare a thought for Lee Dong-ha. A week ago, the jockey got the biggest winner of his career to date when partnering Eodigana to success in the Donga Ilbo Trophy. He followed up with a winner this Saturday and another in race 1 on Sunday. Racing has a habit of bringing you crashing back down again – often literally. Lee suffered a heavy fall in race 5 on Sunday and was transported to hospital with a suspected broken collarbone.

Next week the three-year-old classics get underway with the Luna Stakes, the first leg of the Triple Tiara for fillies being run over a mile at Busan on Sunday.