"No Surprises"... Oasis Blue Dominates to Win KRA Cup Mile

by Jo Chunghyeon

Published 10 Apr.2025 15:14(KST)

Updated 31 Jul.2025 15:50(KST)

An Ideal Race, Skills Reaffirmed

On the 6th, at the 21st KRA Cup Mile (prize money of 700 million KRW) held at Korea Racing Authority's LetsRun Park Busan-Gyeongnam, Oasis Blue (3 years old, owner Lee Jonghun) and jockey Jin Kyum claimed victory.

This race, the first leg of the Triple Crown series, saw a fierce competition among 16 horses vying for the title of the best Korean-bred three-year-old. As the race began, Longrunbulpae took the lead, utilizing the advantage of the gate, while Eldoradonolbu, My Dream Day, Gangnaru, and Captain PK formed the leading group. Oasis Blue settled in a middle position just behind the leaders.

After rounding the first corner and entering the curve, Oasis Blue began to accelerate, joined the leading group from the outside at the final corner, and then increased speed on the home stretch to widen the gap. Displaying a perfect race, Oasis Blue crossed the finish line comfortably with a margin of three lengths. My Dream Day finished second, and Yongbipaewang took third place, with all top finishers being horses from Busan.

With this victory, Oasis Blue has now achieved three consecutive wins. Last October, Oasis Blue experienced the disappointment of being disqualified after crossing the finish line first in the Gimhae Mayor's Cup, but has since redeemed itself in several races. As the top favorite in this race, Oasis Blue won without any surprises, proving its superiority over its competitors.

Jockey Jin Kyum said, "Oasis Blue's natural ability allowed for a relatively easy race," and added, "We will show great performances in the upcoming second leg, the Korean Derby, and the third leg, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Cup."

Trainer Baek Gwangyeol, who manages Oasis Blue, commented, "Unlike most three-year-olds, Oasis Blue is a composed and intelligent horse that knows how to control its own pace. We will do our best to ensure Oasis Blue can continue to deliver great races for fans for a long time."

The Triple Crown series, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and the highest honor for a racehorse, will continue with the 28th Korean Derby at LetsRun Park Seoul on May 11.

Oasis Blue is celebrating and posing for a commemorative photo after winning the KRA Cup Mile.