Dignitaries pose with Moonhak Chief, which won the 1,800-meter fourth Korea Cup race at the Seoul Racecourse on Sept. 8.

The Korean contingent demonstrated their talent to win at the Seoul Racecourse on Sept. 8.

Moonhak Chief won the 1,800-meter fourth Korea Cup race with a record time of 1:53.3, followed by local horse Cheongdam Dokki. Earlier, Korean 4-year-old horse Blue Chipper also won Korea Sprint at a record of 1:11.1. The total prize money, 1 billion won, was up for grabs, and each winner earned 570 million won.

The 2019 Keeneland Korea Cup and Korea Sprint, the fourth rendition, have been the sole international horse racing events in Korea. The fourth Korea Cup brought not only Dolkong, a Korean superstar in the Dubai World Cup Carnival in March, but also Lone Sailor and Harvey Wallbanger from the U.S., and Hong Kong’s Glorious Artist.

Korea’s hosting of the international horse race events are intended to raise the stature of Korean racehorses’ talents and the nation’s capabilities to transport and manage racehorses among advanced countries.

The Korea Racing Authority plans to make Korean racehorses’ talents known around the world through the Korea Cup and Korea Sprint and cultivate the racehorse industry.

The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) divides horseracing levels according to Part 1 through Part 3. The UK, the birthplace of horseracing, the United States, Canada, Australia, and 14 other advanced countries belong to Part 1, while Korea is categorized into Part 2 along with three countries of Scandinavia, Turkey and Uruguay.

The KRA plans to achieve a target of elevating Korea to Part 2 countries through the successful hosting of the Keeneland Korea Cup and Korea Sprint.

If Korea makes it onto the list of Part 1 countries, it means the nation will have joined the club of horse racing powerhouses. If the Keeneland Korea Cup and Korea Sprint grow into globally recognized events, it would bring additional spillover effects.

Figures showed that the value of benefits, brought by the tourism and transportation the 2018 Keeneland Korea Cup and Korea Sprint, was estimated at 1.5 billion won. Cumulative revenues earned through overseas live telecasting between 2013 and last year stood at 72.1 billion won.

The main horse racing countries each have one or two international horse racing events. The Melbourne Cup, held in Australia every November, had an estimated effect of bringing $444.5 million (about 500 billion won) as of 2017. The Dubai World Carnival, held in March, has $10 million up for grabs in total money prize.

The globally recognized Epsom Derby held in the UK every June is immeasurable in cultural and industrial benefits. Korea, a Part 2 country, hosts the Keeneland Korea Cup and Korea Sprint, which is recognized as Part 1-level events by the IFHA since participating racehorses come from Part 1 countries, except for host Korea.

Korean racehorses captured trophies three time – 2016 Korea Sprint, 2017 Korea Sprint, and 2018 Korea Cup. Korea also got away with both the 2019 Korea Cup and the 2019 Korea Sprint, proving its talent around the world.

KRA Chairman Kim Nak-sun said, “As unprecedented juggernauts such as racehorses from the United States and Hong Kong competed in the 2019 events, we did not expect to win, but I’m very pleased to have an unexpected victory.”

The 2019 Korea Cup and Korea Sprint managed to take place thanks to joint efforts by racehorse trainers, riders, racehorse management and other related officials, he added.

Horse rider Yoo Hyun-myung is excited for victory s as his horse Blue Chipper beat rivals at Korea Sprint race. (Photos: KRA)