Focus on the Grand March 1st, Dubai World Cup Super Saturday

‘Global Hit’ Continues Its Challenge, to Compete in the Al Maktoum Classic
Jockey Kim Hye-seon to Appear on EBS Invitation on March 7

Last week, the ’6th Saudi Cup‘ horse racing event, boasting the world’s highest prize money of 29 billion KRW, heated up the Middle East. Meanwhile, the ’Dubai World Cup‘ horse racing event, established in 1996 and known for its tradition and formidable oil money power, is set to take place on April 5.

This mega race offers a total prize of 12 million USD (approximately 17.2 billion KRW), with the winner receiving 6.96 million USD (approximately 9.9 billion KRW).

The semifinal stage of this dream event, called ‘Super Saturday,’ will be held this coming Saturday, March 1, at the Dubai Meydan Racecourse. Korea’s ‘Global Hit,’ which finished 8th in last month’s Al Maktoum Challenge and left fans wanting more, will make a comeback attempt in the Al Maktoum Classic on the same day.

The Al Maktoum Classic (G2) is a race one grade below the Al Maktoum Challenge (G1), with a total prize of 1.7 million AED (Dirhams, approximately 670 million KRW), which is not very high. However, winning this race grants an automatic entry to the Dubai World Cup.

Last year’s Al Maktoum Classic winner was the 9-year-old veteran ‘Military Law,’ who showed the fighting spirit of a seasoned warrior. Military Law consistently stayed in the leading group from the start of the race and surged ahead early to take first place, maintaining the pace with relentless power to claim victory.

In the final stretch, there was a persistent challenge from the 4-year-old young contender ‘Walk of Stars,’ but the veteran’s power and momentum were not easily broken. Both Military Law and Walk of Stars are offspring of the famous sire Dubawi, making the showdown between the eldest and youngest siblings an interesting point of observation.

Before entering this race, Military Law participated in the Al Maktoum Challenge, finishing 6th, then won the Al Maktoum Classic and proceeded directly to the Dubai World Cup. This year, ‘Global Hit’ is following the same path.

‘Global Hit,’ which has been staying in Dubai since early January, is maintaining good condition and ready to show its ‘true ability’ ahead of its second overseas race. Jockey Kim Hye-seon, who had been in Korea, also re-departed last Monday and has been training with Global Hit since meeting up.

Jockey Kim Hye-seon is bringing her 6-year-old child along on this trip, determined to race with the pride of a mother on the line. “Rather than comparing with other horses, I will develop the race to maximize Hit’s strengths and capabilities,” said Kim. She added, “However, I was quite disappointed last time as I was assigned the outermost gate number 12, so this time I hope to be assigned somewhere between gates 4 and 7.”

Among the horses that have declared their intention to participate, notable rivals include this year’s Al Maktoum Challenge runner-up ‘Imperial Emperor,’ last year’s Al Maktoum Challenge winner ‘Kabir Khan,’ and the 8-year-old veteran ‘King Gold,’ who delivered a fantastic late surge to defeat the undefeated Loreliver in the Firebreak Stakes last January. Additionally, ‘Dolaylar’ and ‘Crown Estate,’ owned by Dubai Crown Prince Mohammed Al Maktoum, will compete fiercely to defend the host country’s pride.

The Korea Racing Broadcasting Channel (KRBC) YouTube channel will once again provide live coverage from Dubai, including preview shows, for domestic and international horse racing fans.

Jockey Kim Hye-seon, who has actively communicated with fans through media and personal SNS, will appear on the EBS Invitation program airing at 12:10 PM on March 7.

As a representative female jockey of Korea, following in the footsteps of Lee Ok-rye, who first obtained a jockey license in 1975, and Lee Shin-young, who debuted in 2001 and is now a trainer, Kim Hye-seon will candidly share her life as a jockey and her natural self as a wife and mother.