It’s not the most valuable race on the calendar, that’s the Korea Cup, and nor is it the most prestigious, with that honour going to the Grand Prix Stakes. It is in the President’s Cup though where Korean racing legends tend to be made.
There was Dangdae Bulpae, with three consecutive wins between 2010 and 2012. Triple Nine with four between 2015 and 2018. And last year Winner's Man completed the Grand Slam of Korean Group 1 races by finally adding it as the final piece to his collection (The Korean Derby, the Grand Prix and one of either the Korea Cup or Korea Sprint is required for a full set).
On Sunday, all eyes are on last year's Korean Derby winner GLOBAL HIT, who in the absence of the now retired Winner's Man, has become the standard bearer of racing here. While bested by Winner's Man both in this race and in the Grand Prix last year, the latter by a very narrow margin, he was 3rd in the Korea Cup and now he seeks to stamp his authority over the domestic division by winning the President's Cup.
It won't be easy. Global Hit's stablemate SPEED YOUNG has run him close before and can again, while NAOL SNIPER and WORLD DRAGON are also seeking Group race success.
SUCCESS BAEKPA is the up and comer having won two legs of this year's Triple Crown, while in SIMJANGUI GODONG, there is a former winner in the race with the veteran having prevailed in the 2021 edition.
Adding intrigue among the fifteen-strong field is the presence of BEOLMAUI STAR. The runner-up in the 2023 Korea Sprint has had an erratic summer at the shorter distances and he gets tried around two turns for the first time in his career.
The President's Cup (2000M KOR-G1) is race 7 at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon with a local post time of 15:40.
1. SUCCESS BAEKPA – Winner of the 1st and 3rd legs of this year's Triple Crown and 3rd in the Derby, he hasn't raced since winning the Minister's Cup here over 2000M in June. He has been back in work since late August and looked well when winning a trial within himself in mid-September. Very tough ask first-up but he is a big talent and if match fit, could be involved.
2. GLOBAL HIT – Saved Korea's honour when 3rd behind Crown Pride and Wilson Tesoro in the Korea Cup, he is acknowledged as the best horse in the country. Three wins from five this year with the ineligible Tuhonui Banseok the only one to beat him. Sensibly campaigned, if at his best, he is too good. From a great draw, Kim Hye-sun can pick her spot and probably settles handy or midfield
3. TIZ BAROWS – Class 1 winner in June but beaten by Naol Sniper and Gangpungma in July, he has just been found a little wanting when tried against the elite and was 10th in his previous Group attempt, the YTN Cup. May well try to go to the lead here.
4. GANGPUNGMA – Won the Listed Sports Chosun Trophy over this distance in May before going down very narrowly to Naol Sniper in a class 1 handicap in July. Had an off day when favourite for the JRA Trophy, won by Complete Level, on international weekend. This may be his best trip, and a money finish shouldn't be ruled out. Goes back and runs on.
5. BEOLMAUI STAR – A fascinating entry, because he is a sprinter and a good one having been runner-up in the Korea Sprint in 2023 and a G3 winner over 1200M this April. Faded badly in this year's Korea Sprint and can have problems at the start. He has never been further than a mile and that distance didn't work out, but they try something new here.
6. STAR MATTA – Solid type but his best class 1 finish is 3rd. He was an accomplished 5th in the Busan Mayor's Cup in May so sneaking into minor money isn't impossible but he is one of the outsiders. Stablemate of Galaxy Road. Settles back and runs on.
7. BLACK MAMBA – Could be the wildcard. He missed ten months between June 2023 and April 2024, but has won three of four since, his only defeat when 9th behind World Dragon on a sloppy track. Made all to score over a mile at class 2 last month and while this is his first try in elite company, and at 2000M, if he can get on pace, he has a chance to go well.
8. DRAGON STAR – 4th to Gangpungma in the Listed Sports Chosun and most recently well back behind Complete Level in the JRA Trophy. Yet to win at higher than class 3 level, he has placed three times at 2000M but is an outsider here.
9. SIMJANGUI GODONG – Winning this race in 2021 is the highlight of his career and he remains a dependable galloper with 2nd in the G3 Busan Owners' Cup over 1600M his best this year. Enters off a credible 6th on the international Korea Cup and will be a candidate for a money finish.
10. WORLD DRAGON – Ran 2nd in the Korean Derby before injuring his jockey in the gate before the Minister's Cup and accordingly scratched. He returned to Busan and won over 1800M at class 2 level in July, leading all the way. Hasn't raced since but trialed well at the end of September. Front runner and can be in this a long way.
11. NAOL SNIPER – Comes in fresh having run 3rd to Global Hit in the KRA Cup Classic in August when settling further back than he usually does and then running on very well. He is a three-time winner at the distance and can race on the front or from behind and seems to be getting better every run. A chance.
12. COMPLETE LEVEL – Earns his shot here having won the JRA Trophy over 1800M on international weekend with Gangpungma and Dragon Star back down the track. Has had an interrupted career but finally getting some momentum going and while the draw is a touch wide, if he can get a bit of luck early and a forward position, he can be in this a long way.
13. GRAND SUN – Won three in a row between March and June to get rapidly promoted to class 1 and then ran 3rd on his first try at this distance on August 23rd running a time that would be competitive here. First crack at the elite though and he will be an outsider.
14. GALAXY ROAD – Comes in off a good 5th place in the international Korea Cup when coming from well off the pace. Prior to that was 6th in the Busan Mayor's Cup and 4th in the Busan Owners' Cup so he has form to overturn on plenty of these.
15. SPEED YOUNG – 3rd in both the YTN Cup and Busan Mayor's Cup, he finally returned to the Group race winner's circle in the Busan Owners' Cup before dropping back to contest the Korea Sprint where he was the best local finisher in 4th. Has just come up short against stablemate Global Hit but 2000M is a distance he could beat him at and he is the main danger.
Selections (2) Global Hit (15) Speed Young (11) Naol Sniper (10) World Dragon
Next Best 1, 4
Fast Start 5, 7, 10, 11, 12
