Autumn Racing Peaks... LetsRun Park Busan-Gyeongnam to Host 'Gyeongnam Governor's Cup' and 'International Newspaper Cup'

The excitement of autumn horse racing is reaching its peak.

LetsRun Park Busan-Gyeongnam has announced a spectacular autumn racing season, with the 19th Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup and the International Newspaper Cup set to take place back-to-back this coming weekend.

The main events are the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup and the International Newspaper Cup, both to be held on October 26 at Korea Racing Authority’s LetsRun Park Busan-Gyeongnam. These two races, which determine the best in long-distance and short-distance categories, have quickly captured the attention of horse racing fans across the country.

The 19th Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (G3, 2,000m) is the longest-distance stakes race exclusively for Korean-bred fillies and mares, serving as the second leg of the Queens’ Tour autumn-winter series.

From the inaugural champion Luna to last year’s record-breaking Wonderful Slew, countless famous horses have fiercely competed on this stage. Notably, for the past seven years, Seoul-based racehorses have dominated, igniting a sense of pride and rivalry in Busan.

This year, Busan’s Boryeong Light Queen and Seoul’s Gladius are in the spotlight. Boryeong Light Queen pulled off a dramatic come-from-behind victory against strong favorites at the recent Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Governor’s Cup, and is considered a “hidden powerhouse” with previous wins at the same distance in the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup. In contrast, Gladius is known for consistency. After achieving a come-from-behind victory in its first stakes race appearance, Gladius has built confidence and is recognized as a “steadfast contender” that rarely misses the top ranks thanks to a stable closing style. This year’s Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup is expected to be more than just a test of distance; it will be a tactical showdown between pace management and late-race timing.

On the same day, the International Newspaper Cup (G3, 1,400m) will showcase a true contest among elite short-distance horses. Now in its 18th year since its inception in 2006, this is the only grade-level media-sponsored stakes race in the second half of the year. The challenging 1,400-meter middle-distance course demands both power and speed, and has produced numerous star horses over the years.

This year, the strongest favorite in the field is Seoul’s Vincero Cavallo. Having swept major sprint stakes races this year, Vincero Cavallo has already proven unrivaled ability at 1,200 meters. With an all-around racing style that is not dependent on race development and demonstrated adaptability to middle distances, Vincero Cavallo is highly likely to cross the finish line first with a “formidable late charge.”

Meanwhile, Busan’s Joyful Journey is taking on the challenge of breaking the perceived limits for fillies and mares. Last year’s Queens’ Tour champion and nine-time winner, she was narrowly defeated by rival Wonderful Slew in long-distance races. However, on the 1,400-meter short-distance stage, she is aiming to restore her honor by taking on male horses head-to-head.

As the season of “horses growing fat on autumn grass” arrives, another legend is set to be written on the track at LetsRun Park Busan-Gyeongnam. The Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup will be a battle of endurance and strategy, while the International Newspaper Cup promises a clash of speed and tenacity. As the horses thunder down the track this autumn, the hearts of fans will race alongside them.

Boryeong Light Queen, the winner of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Governor's Cup.

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