"Thrilling 0.1-Second Overtake"…28,000 Spectators Electrified by the 'Korea Cup'

Korea Racing Authority Successfully Concludes Korea Cup & Korea Sprint
with Total Prize Money of 3 Billion Won
Korea's "Super Finish" and "Speed Young" Deliver Strong Performances
Live Race Broadcasts Exported to Hong Kong Generate 12.39 Billion Won in Sales

The 2025 "OBS Korea Cup & Korea Sprint," hosted by the Korea Racing Authority, was held successfully at LetsRun Park Seoul on September 7. This event, featuring world-class racehorses and jockeys, attracted tremendous attention from both domestic and international fans.

Since 2016, the Korea Cup (with a total prize of 1.6 billion won) and the Korea Sprint (1.4 billion won) have been international invitational races offering the highest prize money in Korean horse racing. Both races are classified as IG3, the top tier in global horse racing, and the winners earn a spot in the prestigious Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and Sprint in the United States. On race day, more than 28,000 spectators gathered at LetsRun Park Seoul, delivering enthusiastic support.

28,000 spectators watched the 'OBS Korea Cup' live at LetsRun Park Seoul on the 7th. (Photo by Korea Racing Authority)

A Korea Racing Authority official stated, "This event was an international race where outstanding horses and jockeys from Japan and Hong Kong, countries recognized as advanced horse racing nations beyond Asia, competed." The official added, "With the rising popularity of 'K-Pop Demon Hunters,' not only domestic but also international guests were highly visible throughout the venue, truly making it a global horse racing festival."

In the Korea Sprint, which determines the champion sprinter, Hong Kong's "Self Improvement" pulled off a dramatic come-from-behind victory, overtaking Japan's highly favored "Chikapa" in the final moments. Korea's "Super Finish," ridden by jockey Kim Yonggeun, held on to third place, preserving the host country's pride. Japan's "Tagano Beauty" and "Sunrise Hawk" finished in fifth and seventh place, respectively.

Racehorses participating in the "OBS Korea Cup" held at LetsRun Park Seoul on the 7th are bursting out of the starting gates. (Photo by Korea Racing Authority)

The Korea Racing Authority exports live race broadcasts to 26 countries worldwide, generating annual sales of 120 billion won. For the first time, the Korea Cup and Korea Sprint were broadcast in Hong Kong, resulting in additional sales of 12.39 billion won.

Self Improvement clinched victory with a thrilling overtake just 50 meters before the finish line, earning 700 million won-half of the 1.4 billion won total prize. The winning time was 1 minute and 10.5 seconds, with only a 0.1-second gap over the runner-up.

In the main event, the Korea Cup, many anticipated a Japanese horse would win. Young racehorses "Ramjet" and "Dura Erede" were particularly popular, but the title went to the 7-year-old veteran "Dictation."

Dictation, the winning horse, conserved energy in the middle of the pack until the halfway point, then delivered a powerful surge 300 meters from the finish to claim the trophy. Dictation took home the 800 million won first-place prize out of the 1.6 billion won total, along with a ticket to the Breeders' Cup, the world's premier horse racing event. This race was designated as a "challenge race," serving as a qualifier for the Breeders' Cup, which will be held in November this year at Santa Anita Park in California, USA.

The Japanese horse "Dictation," the winner of the Korea Cup, is racing. (Photo by Korea Racing Authority)

Second place went to Hong Kong's "Chancheng Glory," third to Japan's "Ramjet," and fourth to Korea's "Speed Young," the nation's representative.

Jung Kiwhan, Chairman of the Korea Racing Authority, said, "While this result reminded us of the formidable level of global horse racing, I want to express my encouragement and gratitude to our horses, jockeys, and all involved. This was a highly meaningful opportunity to showcase the excellence of K-horse racing-our track infrastructure, high-definition live broadcasts, and rich data-as well as the advanced cheering culture demonstrated by our fans, to the world through international live coverage."

Meanwhile, the "Starry Night Horse Festival," an autumn night event held on the same day, featured unique experiences such as horseback riding, feeding sessions, and cheering events. The highlight was a dazzling drone show with 600 drones illuminating the autumn night sky, blending horse racing, equestrian activities, festivities, and culture into a single event that drew an enthusiastic response from the audience.