Winner’s Man became only the fourth horse in forty-one-years of the race to successfully defend the Grand Prix Stakes at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. But those who had taken the favourite at odds of 1.2 had the fright of their lives as Korean Derby winner and champion three-year-old Global Hit put up an epic feat of resistance, requiring the Horse of the Year elect to summon every last ounce of effort before prevailing by a nose in a photo-finish.
On a bitingly cold day in the capital city where temperatures failed to go higher than seven degrees below zero all afternoon, Winner’s Man was heavily backed to repeat his success of a year ago when he saw off Raon The Fighter by a length with Tuhonui Banseok a close 3rd. With Raon The Fighter on the long term injured list, Tuhonui Banseok was among the leading contenders to dethrone the champion this time around, although few truly believed it was possible.
It was almost possible, but not by Tuhonui Banseok. Winner’s Man settled just behind the early leaders and back on the fence as Jeongmun Sai and Fantastic Man set the pace. That pair gave way very early leaving Tuhonui Banseok out in front and Winner’s Man with clear track ahead to join him before the end of the backstraight. All the time, Global Hit was in close attendance and as they entered the home straight, the three of them, along with Success Macho were clear.
Tuhonui Banseok was the first to have run his race and to most observers that meant Winner’s Man was surely set to cruise away. But Global Hit would not lie down, and the pair came close together and began a duel. The three-year-old briefly struck the front inside the final furlong only for Seo Seung-un to lift the champion up from off the canvas for one last drive. They crossed the line together and it went officially to the judges, but Winner’s Man had it by a nose. Success Macho was just over a length back in 3rd.
The pre-race buzz locally had been around Haengbok Wangja, the 2021 winner having snapped a run of desperate form with 5th in the Korea Cup and 3rd in the Cup Classic. Moon Se-young being booked to ride did nothing to dampen that enthusiasm and he ran well for 4th with Tuhonui Banseok in 5th. They were the top-five in the market, and that elite level of horses were a cut above the rest. The remaining eleven were, as anticipated, in a different race with nine lengths until the next best.
Speaking to YTN News after the race, winning jockey Seo Seung-un was both happy and relieved: “His condition coming in this week was so good that I really was confident that we would win comfortably, but the other horses have clearly improved a lot, especially Global Hit, and if (Winner’s Man) had not been at his best, we would have lost. Fortunately, he was, and we were able to win.”
Seo was questioned about the tactics in the race that saw Winner’s Man getting kickback in the early stages. “Winner’s Man likes to run on the outside, so it was a bit uncomfortable when I got stuck inside around the 1st and 2nd corners, but then we got through those corners, and things opened up in front and outside and I was able to attack. That made the difference.”
As for the future: “(Winner’s Man) will only be six years old (in 2024) but the most important thing is his health and so long as he is sound, we will be back for a go at a third Grand Prix this time next year.”
Winning trainer Choi Ki-hong told in-house broadcaster KRBC that the close nature of the race only enhanced his delight at the result: “Actually, I think my joy is doubled because it was such a thrilling win. The track condition was good and Global Hit ran a great race against us. I want to thank the owner but also the jockey for a great ride and my stable crew for all their hard work to get Winner’s Man to this point.”
Kim Hye-sun, who became the first female rider to win the Korean Derby in June with Global Hit, came within a nose of repeating the achievement in the Grand Prix and in the immediate aftermath, her thoughts were of what might have been: “It’s actually disappointing to lose by a nose. When Tuhonui Banseok (was beaten) but we stayed with Winner’s Man, I realized that we had a chance. We came so close together (with Winner’s Man) that I couldn’t even use the crop and I just feel regretful that maybe we lost our opportunity.”
Kim though quickly saw the bigger picture about what Global Hit had achieved: “Overall I think Global Hit ran really well and the more I think about it, the more I am amazed. He is three years old and racing 2300M for the first time and he caught up with Winner’s Man. So, I am excited about next year and quite emotional about this horse.”
It was the first time ever that two Korean Derby winners have finished 1st and 2nd in the Grand Prix, with Winner’s Man having won the jewel in the three-year-old Crown in 2021. Power Blade and Winner’s Man are the only two Derby winners to go on and win a Grand Prix. A year from now, Global Hit may follow. Winner’s Man may have something to say about that though.
That’s the end of Group races in Korea for 2023 but there is still plenty of racing to come before the year end including a four-day program of races next weekend beginning on Friday at Busan and culminating with 12 races at Seoul on Christmas Day. There will also be another three-day program from December 29th and concluding on New Year’s Eve.
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