KRA's Seokseubaekpa Wins Minister of Agriculture Cup... Crowned 3-Year-Old Champion

Selected as the Best Mare of the Triple Crown Series

At the 24th Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Cup (G2, 2000m), held during the 8th race at Let’s Run Park Seoul of the Korea Racing Authority (Chairman Jung Ki-hwan) on the 16th, "Seokseosbaekpa" (Korean 3-year-old) claimed the championship trophy.

Owner Lee Jonghun celebrated his second Minister’s Cup victory following "Worldsun" in 2018, trainer Man Jangyi earned his first Minister’s Cup win, and jockey Yoo Hyeonmyeong secured his second Minister’s Cup title after "Hit Yegam" in 2021.

In this race, with a total of 16 horses?eight each from Seoul and Busan-Gyeongnam?throwing their hats in the ring, "Hangang Class," "Seokseosbaekpa," "Nice Time," and "Eunpasarang" drew significant attention from fans. As the race began, tension heightened when "World Dragon," who finished second in the Korean Derby, was disqualified after becoming unsettled in the starting gate during the preparation process.

At the first corner, "Great Winner" took the lead, followed by "Miracle Marine," "My Center," and "Hangang Class." Amid a fast-paced race, "Seokseosbaekpa" appeared within the top five around the halfway point. Without much interference, "Seokseosbaekpa" advanced to fourth at the midpoint of the third corner, attacked the outside course, and surged to the lead as they entered the final straight.

Although "Nice Time," "Pasarang," and "Dr. Kingdom" launched a late chase, "Seokseosbaekpa" proved a class above, winning by a commanding margin of nine lengths (about 22 meters) over the runner-up. With this victory, "Seokseosbaekpa," who has now won two of the three races in this year’s Triple Crown series, has risen to the status of 3-year-old champion.

Additionally, "Seokseosbaekpa" made history by winning the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Cup 18 years after his maternal uncle "Baekgwang" claimed victory in 2006, once again proving that horse racing is a sport of bloodlines.

In a post-race interview, jockey Yoo Hyeonmyeong said, "I felt there were many judgment errors in race development during the previous Korean Derby, so we worked with the stable to make improvements. Thanks to the stable staff completing all training in Busan and managing the horse so well, we were able to win," expressing his gratitude.

He added, "Seokseosbaekpa is a horse capable of both front-running and closing, so I always have high expectations, even in longer races. Although today’s race was fast-paced, the horse showed no signs of fatigue even up to the fourth corner, so I wasn’t worried," expressing his appreciation for the horse.

In the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Cup Grand Prix, Success Backpa and jockey Yoo Hyunmyung are crossing the finish line.

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