Seoul-Based Raon Forest Wins Gyeongsangnam-do Governor's Cup; Trainer Lee Kangseo Claims First Stakes Victory

Raon Forest Stages Late Comeback with Jockey Choi Beomhyeon... Clearly Winner Finishes Second

Raon Forest, a Seoul-based racehorse, won the Gyeongsangnam-do Governor's Cup with a powerful late charge, strengthening its position in the Queens Tour F&W Series competition.

The Korea Racing Authority's Let'sRun Park Busan-Gyeongnam, headed by Jang Yujin, announced on October 26 that Raon Forest, based in Seoul and owned by Raon Land and trained by Lee Kangseo, won the Gyeongsangnam-do Governor's Cup, a Grade 3 stakes race over 2,000 meters held as Race 6 at Busan-Gyeongnam on October 23. The horse was ridden by jockey Choi Beomhyeon.

Several horses, including Yeosu Superstar and Wonderful K-Lan, contested the lead early in the race. Raon Forest conserved its energy near the back of the field, then quickly caught up with the leaders after rounding the final turn and entering the home straight. It went on to pull away from the pursuing horses and cross the finish line first.

With this win, Raon Forest bounced back from a second-place finish in the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Governor's Cup to claim the second leg of the Queens Tour F&W Series. Although its performances have been somewhat inconsistent this year, it proved competitive over the 2,000-meter distance. The victory also marked trainer Lee Kangseo's first stakes win since his debut.

Seoul-based racehorses have continued to dominate the major mare stakes races held in Busan-Gyeongnam. Seoul-based horses have won the Gyeongsangnam-do Governor's Cup in each of the past seven years, and Raon Forest kept that streak going this year.

Favorites Fantastic Value and Boryeong Light Queen finished seventh and fifth, respectively. Fantastic Value, winner of the opening leg, the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Governor's Cup, fell short of expectations in this race, ending its bid to win all three races in the series.

Raon Forest, meanwhile, secured a favorable position in the series standings with a win in this race after finishing second in the opening leg. Clearly Winner took second place, while Yeosu Superstar finished third. Clearly Winner, racing over 2,000 meters for the first time, finished second against more experienced mares, showing promise at longer distances. Yeosu Superstar also placed in the top three, continuing its bid for a first stakes win.

The Breeders' Cup Queen, the final leg of the Queens Tour F&W Series, will be held on November 27 with support from Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. Attention is focused on whether Raon Forest can maintain its momentum or its rivals can fight back in the final race.

Seoul Raon Forest, winners of the Gyeongsangnam-do Governor's Cup, and officials pose for a commemorative photo.

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