"The Race Was Decided in Just 70 Seconds"... Thrilling Excitement Captivates 28,000 Spectators at the Successful OBS Korea Cup and Korea Sprint

Hong Kong's Selfimprovement and Japan's Dictaeon
Both Claim Victory

On September 7, 2025, Let's Run Park Seoul, operated by the Korea Racing Authority (Chairman Chung Ki-hwan), was filled with the cheers of approximately 28,000 spectators.

Domestic and international horse racing fans flocked to the venue to watch the 8th OBS Korea Cup (IGⅢ, 1,800m, total prize money of 1.6 billion won) and the Korea Sprint (IGⅢ, 1,200m, total prize money of 1.4 billion won) in person.

In the Korea Sprint, Hong Kong's Selfimprovement clinched victory by overtaking Japan's Chikapa, who had been the overwhelming favorite with odds of 1.3 to win, in a dramatic late surge.

Representing Korea, Superfinish (jockey Kim Yonggeun) finished third, preserving national pride. Manfred Man, trainer of the winning horse Selfimprovement, remarked, "Our strategy to chase the leaders went exactly as planned," and added, "With a successful push 50 meters before the finish line, we secured the 700 million won prize."

The Korea Cup saw an upset. Japanese prospects Ramjet and Dura Erede were considered strong contenders, but the 7-year-old veteran Dictaeon outpaced them all to cross the finish line first. Second place went to Hong Kong's Chancheng Glory, third to Japan's Ramjet, and Korea's Speed Young finished fourth.

This event once again demonstrated the global stature of Korean horse racing. The Korea Racing Authority exports live race broadcasts to 26 countries worldwide, generating annual sales of 120 billion won. This year, for the first time, the Korea Cup and Sprint were exported to Hong Kong, generating 12.39 billion won in sales. Sam Nati, Director of Betting Services at the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), commented, "I was deeply impressed by the fair and systematic operation," and added, "I truly felt the strength of K-Horse Racing."

The winning horses, Selfimprovement and Dictaeon, not only received large prize purses but also automatically qualified for the Breeders' Sprint and Breeders' Dirt Mile, to be held in Santa Anita, California, USA, this November.

The Korea Racing Authority has signed sponsorship agreements with the American racehorse auction company OBS and global premium brand Woodford Reserve, further elevating the status of the Korea Cup and Sprint as international leisure sports events.