Gwangyajeil gave Korean owner and breeder Lim Sang Yoon his biggest success when he won today’s US$500,000 Korean Derby (1800m) in Seoul.
In front a massive crowd of over 50,000 patrons, Gwangyajeil proved too strong for his rivals for an easy two and a half length success.
Locally bred, by former crack American galloper Vicar, Gwangyajeil is a great advertisement to the Australian industry, being from the Jade Robbery mare Hurricane Havoc.
Magic Millions Director of Sales David Chester was on hand at the Seoul Race Park to witness Korea’s richest and most prestigious race.
“It was a really wonderful day’s racing and there was a massive crowd on hand – many Australian clubs would have been envious,” Chester reported.
“And for the Derby to be won by a horse bred from a mare purchased from our National Broodmare Sale in 2006 topped off a great result.”
“Mr Lim, who bred Gwangyajeil, purchased his dam Hurricane Havoc for $5,500 when put up for sale by Baramul Stud.”
“And it was a great result for Mr Lim considering the Derby winner was handed back to him after being sold as a younger horse when he was found to have bone chips in a knee,” Chester said.
“Mr Lim was at the Gold Coast for the National Broodmare Sale to buy Hurricane Havoc and he’s been a regular at Magic Millions sales over the years.”
“The result is a shot in the arm for the National Sale – showing just what value buyers from around the world can achieve.”
Gwangyajeil was allowed to find his feet during the early and middle stages before unleashing a paralysing burst rounding the turn and he races clear late to win by two and a half lengths.
He is a son of the former Florida Derby winner Vicar – who now stands at the KRA’s National Stud on Jeju Island.
Dam Hurricane Havoc was unraced and the daughter of Jade Robbery has now produced a winner and placegetter from two runners.
She is in turn from the Palace Music mare Hurricane Bay, who is a daughter of the Melbourne stakes winner Diamond Zephyr.
Chester said he had received positive feedback from the Korean industry about the success of Magic Millions graduates at tracks including Seoul and Busan.
“We will have a contingent of Korean buyers heading to the Gold Coast in June for the National Yearling Sale,” he summed up.
