Yeongcheon

Queens’ Tour Sunday Seoul & Yeongcheon: Race-By-Race Preview (September 20)

It’s the final weekend of racing before the short Chuseok break and the Queens’ Tour Fall/Winter kicks off with the Jeju Governor’s Cup (1400M KOR-G3) the main event. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 17:55 and 6 at Yeongcheon from 12:45 to 16:30. Here are the previews:

Gladius will be favourite for the feature (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Juvenile maidens with three of the eleven racing for the first time and a couple of them look interesting. (6) THE ROAD led in his second trial, crossing the line alongside top sprinter Super Finish in a quick time. If he brings that form to the races, he wins. (3) ULTRA CROWN went through two trials, winning both of them, most recently last week when settling back and running on strong in a quick time. The 1200M should suit and so long as he didn’t leave his race there, he can win first-up. (8) BULTAOREUNE was 6th on debut and then an improved 3rd at start number two over 1000M on August 9th when he beat three of today’s rivals. Third-up he should have a fitness edge here, and the way he has finished off these races, suggests the step up in trip is in his favour too. (5) FLASH BOLT and (2) NAREUSYA GOAT finished 4th and 5th respectively on debut behind Singsing Nashe and both can improve here

Selections(6) The Road (3) Ultra Crown (8) Bultaoreune (5) Flash Bolt
Next Best2, 10
Fast Start2, 5, 6, 10

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens, although all of them have raced at least once before. After running 4t on debut, (9) UNICORN ACE was a close 2nd at start number two on August 22nd in a quick time over 1000M. He is up significantly in trip, but he has been doing his best work late, and he has every chance here. (8) GOLD X stepped up to this distance at start number two on August 30th and came from off the pace to run a solid 3rd place. Luis climbs on for the first time, and he can be dangerous here. (4) ECLIPSE GOLDEN has run 3rd in both starts so far at 1200M. He as been back to trial since his lates, which he came trough well, and he can at least place again. (11) CHEONMAUI HANSEONG and (6) CHEONSANGGEOMNYONG among plenty of others who can step up.

Selections(9) Unicorn Ace (8) Gold X (4) Eclipse Golden (11) Cheonmaui Hanseong
Next Best6, 10
Fast Start1, 4, 10, 11

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 25 Million

A “second chance” race for those yet to win any prize money from at least five starts. And none of them started their respective last race at odds shorter than 26/1, so it’s a case of good luck solving this one. (3) SEMYEONG HEIDI has done the least wrong in that she has only raced five times and does at least have a 6th place. She also hasn’t raced since May and crucially went through a trial in August that she won in a quick time, making all. If she brings that trial form to the races, she will win this. (1) PNS RUNNER does usually show on the early speed and if from the onside gate he gets off to a good start, most of these rivals might not be good enough to get past him. (6) VICTORY SECRET is another who can be on pace and in this a long way. Without any level of confidence, (7) DUKE SOCKS and (4) HAEMARU CHAT are others who could run into some money.

Selections(3) Semyeong Heidi (1) PNS Runner (6) Victory Secret (7) Duke Socks
Next Best4, 2
Fast Start1, 3, 6

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) POWERFUL ARCTIC has been knocking on the door in recent starts wit a 2nd place tree back and then a 3rd on his latest on August 9th. Both those were at this distance coming from off the pace and against this modest opposition, he won’t need to improve by much to win this. (10) SONGDANG JILJU has picked up in her latest two, both at 1400M, passing plenty late for back-to-back 4th places. Previous tries at 1700M were not successful, but she may be ready for another crack. (1) NURI EUTTEUM has never been better than 4th but managed to finish in that position last time out on September 6th and making a quick return here and drawn in a much better gate, she can match or better it. (8) GANGHAN PRINCESS and (7) GRAND COURAGE other place chances.

Selections(5) Powerful Arctic (10) Songdang Jilju (1) Nuri Eutteum (8) Ganghan Princess
Next Best7, 9
Fast Start3, 6, 7, 8

Yeongcheon Race 1: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(4) WIND MIREU is a winner of three from four and enters having run a close 2nd on his first try at this class over this distance on August 16th when coming from off the pace. He has his fair share of weight to carry again, but he can go one better. (9) SEOBU DANCING returns to racing for the first time since winning at class 5 level under an apprentice claim over a mile in May. He is up in class and bereft of a claim today, but he has Franco on and he looked well when winning a trial two weeks ago. (11) KEUTPAN YEOGEOL enters having finished in 3rd place over this class and distance on July 24th. She races best on pace so she has the challenge of the widest gate, but she can be competitive. (6) STRAWBERRY QUEEN and (7) SHACKLE LAUD among others in the frame.

Selections(4) Wind Mireu (9) Seobu Dancing (11) Kkeutpan Yeogeol (6) Strawberry Queen
Next Best7, 5
Fast Start2, 6, 7, 11

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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KOREA RACING REPORT – SEPTEMBER 11-13: JUVENILE SERIES KICKS OFF / YEONGCHEON RACECOURSE SUCCESSFULLY STAGES INAUGURAL CARD

THE 2026 KOREAN JUVENILE SERIES BEGAN OVER THE WEEKEND AND THE FIRST SEOUL LEG OF THE SERIES ON SUNDAY WAS THE GWACHEON MAYOR’S TROPHY AND MAJOR FURY made Hope K look good with a neck success under Seo Seung-un (writes Luke Humphreys).

Major Fury (near side) holds off Clutch Derby in the Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy (Pic: KRA)

Major Fury (Revolutionary) had won his first two starts before being best of the rest behind Hope K, a subsequent winner on international weekend, in the Rookie Stakes in August and with no Hope K to worry about, he got the prize after trailing the long-time leader and eventual 2nd placed Clutch Derby throughout.

“I was able to pick up the ride as trainer Kim Dong-kyun had also entered Samjeong Chef which Jang Chu-youl elected to ride,” Seo Seung-un told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “He looked like a good horse to ride and after riding him today I think he is a very smart and good horse. I only rode in Seoul (instead of Yeongcheon) today because of this ride, so I am grateful for the opportunity. The trainer’s instructions were to just sit behind the leaders and then make a run. Jang Chu-youl also told me about the horse as he had ridden him previously so I would like to thank him.”

The Korea Cup disappointment last week of home hope Clean One, who was subsequently found to have fractured his off-fore sesamoid, was still laying heavy on Seo.

“Because the results at last week’s Korea Cup were poor, as a jockey, I sincerely want to apologise to all horse racing fans regarding the fact that I did not ride well. I felt extremely sorry. It is in the past, but I had to focus more than usual this week and thankfully still got satisfactory results.”

Seo also made comments on him riding regularly in both Seoul and the Yeongnam (Busan and now Yeongcheon) region.

“It has been three months (since the integrated freelance jockey system was established) and of course, when I first came here to Seoul for regular meetings, not everyone would be able to give me many opportunities because it came suddenly but as a month or two passed, I have been given a lot of opportunities.”

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Sunday Seoul & Yeongcheon: Race-By-Race Preview (September 13)

It’s been sixteen-and-a-half years in the making but racing at Yeongcheon finally begins on Sunday. There are 6 races at the new track from 12:45 to 16:30 and 11 at Seoul from 10:35 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Yeongcheon (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with all eleven racing for the first time. (2) RISING KILLER took three goes to qualify but when he did on August 13th, he looked good, racing handy throughout and crossing the line 3rd in a decent time. He should be nice and race fit following all those trials, and from a good draw, has every chance first-up. (8) FIORANO posted the quickest time among these in trials, when 4th on August 27th. That’s enough to have him firmly in the numbers here. (7) SAMJEONG RACE was a fair 3rd in his heat on August 20th, settling midfield and running on and is another who, if he brings that form to the races, can go close. (6) CRAZY BLUE, who led his trial before being passed by an experienced horse, and (9) GEUMBIT CODE are others who hinted at ability in their respective trials.

Selections(2) Rising Killer (8) Fiorano (7) Samjeong Race (6) Crazy Blue
Next Best9, 10
Fast Start2, 4, 6, 10

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

After winning a trial, (3) MIGHTY CHAMP ran a close 3rd on debut over 1200M on August 8th, showing on pace throughout. He should have come on for that run, he draws better here, and he won’t need to improve much to win. (11) MY DOLPUNG has raced twice for a 3rd and a 4th place, both over this distance and both times leading. She has the challenge of the widest gate here, but with a bit of luck at the start, she can be competitive again. (2) BEAT STAR should be similarly nice and fit having raced twice for a 4th and a 5th, in his case over 1000M and 1200M. He draws nicely and can be a danger. (8) TONNERRE DOS and the solitary debut-maker (6) WORLD OF DREAM, the latter very quick in a trial two weeks ago, are others to consider on a place line.

Selections(3) Mighty Champ (11) My Dolpung (2) Beat Star (8) Tonnerre Dos
Next Best6, 1
Fast Start1, 2, 6, 11

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

(3) BLUE HAWAII was ordinary in trials, but they were evidently at too short a distance as he was a very solid 2nd on debut over 1400M on August 23rd, when he settled back and ran on strongly behind a good winner. He should have come on for the run and won’t need to improve much, if at all, to win here. (7) WINNER NAMCHON didn’t do much in his first two outings when ridden on pace but was much better when coming from behind for a very close 2nd over 1200M on August 8th. The step up in trip can suit and he can be the danger here. (8) WONDERFUL TUNE UP had a poor day at the office when favourite last time out but going on his 2nd place at this distance two starts back, he can be given another chance here. (11) CHEONGGANG BOM and (4) PASA ACE other place chances.

Selections(3) Blue Hawaii (7) Winner Namchon (8) Wonderful Tune Up (11) Cheonggang Bom
Next Best4, 9
Fast Start4, 6, 7, 11

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(3) LAST K got his maiden win at start three over this distance in April, before finishing 2nd on his first try at this class at the end of May. He hasn’t raced since but he has been back in work since early August and while match fitness must be taken on trust, he looks the best of these. (10) WOW RUNNER was an all the way winner on debut over 1000M on June 20th, scoring by plenty. She’s had twelve weeks off since then and she is up in class and in trip as well as drawing a wide gate. But she carries a very light weight and she can measure up, (5) RAON THE TONY was a gate to wire winner at this class over 1300M on June 14th. She comes up 3.5kg in weight today but Seo Seung-un is aboard and she can be close again. (9) HAKSAN TAEPUNG and (1) HOT FEVER others in the hunt.

Selections(3) Last K (10) Wow Runner (5) Raon The Tony (9) Haksan Taepung
Next Best1, 4
Fast Start5, 7, 8, 9

Yeongcheon Race 1: Class Open (1800M) Special Weight A / KRW 150 Million

The opening race at the new racecourse and three-year-old fillies get us underway. (3) PACHOUI KKUM was 2nd on debut over 1200M and has since followed up with back-to-back wins over that trip and most recently over 1400M at class 5 level on August 7th. She has been on pace all three times and she is, like all but one here, up to the trip for the first time, but she looks to have plenty of potential. (4) P.D SPECIAL won back-to-back races at 1300M and 1400M in April and May from the front, before struggling from a wide draw last time out. Franco stays on and she can be a chance here. (7) MOMENTUM is the highest rated in the field by a big margin having won up to class 4 level and most recently coming 3rd at class 3. She may not have as much scope for improvement as the other two, and she too steps up in trip for the first time, but she has to rate as a chance. (2) OASIS RUBY ran in the Korean Oaks and is the only one who has previously tackled 1800M and on that alone gets into the minors. (5) POWERFUL DEVIL another in the frame.

Selections(3) Pachoui Kkum (4) P.D Special (7) Momentum (2) Oasis Ruby
Next Best5, 1
Fast Start3, 4, 6, 8

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

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Round-Up: Morfhis Latest Star Defeated / Min Jang Gi Hits 500 / Yeongcheon Racecourse Progress / June Attendance Update / Dortmund on Insta

Morfhis became the latest big name horse in Korea to be beaten while giving away a considerable amount of weight under handicap conditions. Simjangui Godong was the beneficiary at Seoul last Sunday as Morfhis joined the likes of Blue Chipper, Moonhak Chief and Tiz Plan in going down to defeat while conceding 8kg to his rivals.

Simjangui Godong (KRA)

With the current Covid restrictions on attendance plus the absence of online wagering, Korean racing’s income has been devastated over the past sixteen months. and with prize funds having dried up, there are currently no Listed, Stakes or Graded races. Therefore the only option to keep racing going for the top horses is to run handicaps and with the top rated horses putting the others out of the handicap scale, some huge weight imbalances have become inevitable.

Blue Chipper was beaten by a spritely Doctor Carson on May 2nd while later in the month at Seoul Tiz Plan ran 2nd to Brigadier General before the 2019 Korea Cup winner Moonhak Chief trailed home in 4th place behind Heuk Jeonsa. Over 1400M last Sunday, Mofhis gave it a good shot but at such a weight disadvantage was no match for Simjangui Godong, the 2020 Segye Ilbo Cup winner. Blue Chipper and Doctor Carson will meet again this coming Sunday with both declared for Busan’s class 1 event over 1400M. An apprentice jockey claiming 3kg has been booked for Blue Chipper this time.

Min Jang Gi (KRA)

In other news on the track, trainer Min Jang Gi reached the milestone of 500 career winners last Sunday. The trainer saddled Winning Dancer to victory in race 4 at Busan. Min, who took Success Story to the Dubai World Cup Carnival in 2016, is currently trainer of Blue Chipper.

Yeongcheon Racecourse Makes Breakthrough

More than eleven years after it was first announced and six years after it was initially due to open, work is finally set to get underway on Yeongcheon Racecourse, the nation’s third thoroughbred track. With the granting of a building permit this week, construction will now be allowed to begin.

Computer image of the planned Yeongcheon Racecourse

The much delayed project received a huge boost earlier this year when an extension to the Daegu subway line number 1 was announced in the 4th National Railway Network Construction Plan. This would include a stop within walking distance of the racecourse site, bringing mass transit to what is currently a hard to reach location. The latest scheduled opening date for Yeongcheon Racecourse, which will feature Korea’s first turf track, is now September 2024.

Busan Reopens To Customers But Jeju Closes Again

Punters were welcomed back to the Busan Racecourse as well as the city’s two off-track-betting locations last week as social distancing restrictions in the city were lowered to level “1.5”. However, Jeju Island, which saw over 1 Million flight passengers arrive during April with many more expected over the summer months, has accordingly raised its own level to “2”, the same level as Seoul and the surrounding regions, meaning that while racing can continue on Jeju, customers cannot attend.

That means that for the first weekend in June, seven locations are open, all with restricted attendance. They are Busan Racecourse (1,419 attendees permitted), Busan Dong-gu OCB (383), Busan Yeonje OCB (480), Gwangju OCB (919), Daegu OCB (505), Changwon (196) and Cheonan (634). All attendance must be pre-booked on the MyCard app.

Dortmund Joins Insta

Great Hill Farm, which stands new American arrivals Dortmund and Flashback, as well as locally bred stallion Magic Dancer, has joined instagram and has started posting regular pictures and English language updates about their star new import. Their instgram id is “greathillfarmnow”.