With the Grand Prix (2300M KOR-G1) listed in the IFHA “blue book” for years now and it being run over a distance of 2300M that the best Korean horses simply don’t ever run at while boasting a big prize fund, it always appeared a matter of time until the race appeared on at least the regional, if not wholly international radar. And so on Sunday, in its 43rd running, Japan’s Yumeno Honoo will become the first overseas trained runner to contest the Grand Prix.
YUMENO HONOO has of course been to Korea before. The "King of Kochi", the regional NAR track located on Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four main islands, travelled to the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3) in April. That was his first time leaving Kochi, let alone travelling abroad, but he ran a strong 3rd, beaten only by Global Hit and Speed Young.
Since returning to Japan, Yumeno Honoo has picked up a further two wins at Kochi and he returns with designs on winning the Grand Prix. Key to this is the distance, while in Korea 2300M is the maximum trip and the best horses only tackle it in the Grand Prix, Yumeno Honoo is a multiple winner over 2400M at home. He is arguably the only horse in the field guaranteed to stay the distance.
Except perhaps GLOBAL HIT. No doubt a big factor in connections being once more willing to pay the not inexpensive shipping costs (as an open race, unlike the invitational Korea Cup, connections are responsible for all expenses) is that Global Hit, who easily accounted for Yumeno Honoo in that YTN Cup, has not been at his best since having been diagnosed with a manageable but chronic leg condition. The defending champion is fit to race, but he was a well beaten 2nd in the KRA Cup Classic and 4th in the President's Cup in his two latest starts, missing the Korea Cup entirely.
Global Hit's regular jockey Kim Hye-sun abruptly retired last week. Kim had qualified as a trainer at the end of 2023 but had been waiting for a spot on the training roster to become available. When Kim Hyo-seok abruptly handed back his license in mid-December, Kim Hye-sun accepted the offered boxes. That meant a vacancy aboard Global Hit and who was going ride him in the Grand Prix became a matter of fevered speculation.
Then Seo Seung-un appeared on Global Hit in trackwork last week and was subsequently confirmed as his rider in the Grand Prix. That Busan's top jockey and already a two-time winner of the Grand Prix (with Winner's Man) would take the ride – and leave plenty of potential prize money on the table at Busan on Grand Prix that day – was considered locally as a huge vote of confidence in him.
If Global Hit were to recover and win, it would no doubt be the crowning achievement of his career, but the best local hopes may lie elsewhere.
President's Cup winner SPEED YOUNG, a stablemate of Global Hit, may start as the market favourite. He ran 4th in this race last year and while Yumeno Honoo was coming back at him in the YTN Cup, that day he was ridden for the 2000M trip and this time Jung Do-yun will be aiming to have plenty spare for the additional trip.
One horse who should have no trouble with the 2300M is GANGPUNGMA. He was rocketing home in the President's Cup, ultimately finishing less than a length behind Speed Young. At five he is the same age as both Speed Young and Global Hit – and for that matter Yumeno Honoo, but he arrives still somewhat under the radar following a breakout summer with back-to-back wins over 2000M at class 1 level. It would be no surprise if he runs them all down late.
The there are the three-year-olds. From Busan, Franco Da Silva will partner CLEAN ONE for trainer Moon Hyeon-cheol. An American bred by Bernardini, he is a winner of four from eight with his latest being a very solid win at class 1 level of 2000M in a quick time. He could be the real deal.
So too could Seoul-based WONPYEONG STORM. By Tale Of Verve, after winning his first five races he was stepped up into Group company at an early stage this year and it did perhaps prove to be too much too soon. Recently the Jung Ho-ik trained galloper has looked much more mature and was a very strong winner over 1800M at the end of September. Ruan Maia, who recently rode his first Korean Group winner, has been riding him every day in work and if he can coax him into staying the 2300M, he may well be the best horse in the race.
The Grand Prix is race 8 on Sunday's 11-race card at Seoul with a local post time of 16:05.
