Proving Skill, Not Chance... Global Hit and Kim Hye-seon Wins Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Cup

The 2023 'Triple Crown' series, a prestigious event in a racehorse's lifetime where only 3-year-olds can participate, has come to a grand conclusion.

On the evening of the 22nd, at Korea Racing Authority's LetsRun Park Seoul, in the final stage of the Triple Crown, the 23rd Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Cup (G2, 2000m, domestic 3-year-old colts and fillies, rating open, total prize money 700 million KRW), 'Global Hit' and jockey Kim Hye-seon won once again following their previous Derby victory.

The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Cup began in 2001 when the overseeing ministry of the Korea Racing Authority changed from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

In 2004, with the introduction of the Grade race system, it was elevated to G2 status, gaining significance as the selection race for the strongest 3-year-olds. Since 2007, the Triple Crown system has been implemented, with the race fixed at 2000 meters.

In this year's Triple Crown series, the second leg, the Korean Derby (G1), saw fierce competition intensified as Betelgeuse, the winner of the first leg, the KRA Cup Mile (G2), withdrew due to a leg injury. As a result, 'Global Hit' ridden by jockey Kim Hye-seon achieved a surprise victory, becoming Korea's first-ever 'Derby Girl.'

The final leg, this Minister's Cup, was unpredictable as all participating horses had never experienced the 2000m distance before, and the cumulative series points between 'Global Hit' from Busan-Gyeongnam and the competing horses were very close, making it impossible to predict who would be crowned the strongest 3-year-old of the year until the very end.

Global Hit and Rider Kim Hye-seon.

In the 7th race of the day, the Minister's Cup began with gate number 2, 'Dokki Bulpae,' taking the lead, followed by 'Nalls Sniper,' 'Lucky Sun,' and 'Something Lost' forming the leading group.

This order remained largely unchanged until the final corner, but 'Global Hit,' gradually closing the gap with the leaders and looking for an opportunity, began to exert power from the final straight. With the experienced tactics of jockey Kim Hye-seon, the horse quickly surged to first place and comfortably secured the final victory by 3 lengths.

In second place was 'Speed Young,' ridden by jockey Yoo Hyun-myung from Busan-Gyeongnam, who recently returned from injury, and third place went to 'Nut Play.' They finished with a significant gap of 7 lengths behind second place.

With a Busan-Gyeongnam horse taking first place in this Minister's Cup, the winning streak has continued for 11 consecutive years.

Jockey Kim Hye-seon said, "Many said my previous Korean Derby win was due to luck, so this time I wanted to prove that 'Global Hit's' previous victory was not a coincidence. Today, in the Minister's Cup, I rode calmly without pushing too hard, trusting the horse, and the path opened up at the end," calmly revealing the secret to her victory.

This is jockey Kim Hye-seon's third win in a major race. She also holds the title of being the first and only female jockey to win a major race in Korean horse racing history.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.