No fewer than 16 thoroughbreds have been entered for Sunday’s inaugural Keeneland Korea Cup –which is set to take place at Seoul.

The Cup, which will be run for a gross total of 1 Billion Korean Won (or approximately $855 000), and will be run over 1800m.

While Korean runners dominate the entries, all of France, Japan, Singapore, UAE and the UK have entered at least one thoroughbred for this exciting new race.

Interestingly, the entries include South African bred, and UAE based, Need To Know (pictured)  by Western Winter who has won four times in Dubai but who has not run since March.

France will be represented by Famous Mark (Mr Sidney), while Singapore’s runner Infantry (Tavistock) has won four times and was runner up in the 2016 SIN G1 Singapore Guineas.

Another from Singapore, Order Of The Sun (Encosta De Lago), a three time winner himself, was fourth last time out in the SIN G2 Chairman’s Trophy.

Trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam has entered Solar Deity (Exceed And Excel), with that British trained runner’s seven wins including the 2013 Listed williamhill.com Lady Wulfruna Stakes.

The Korean challenge includes the likes of Beolmaui Kkum (Put It Back) who has won 16 of his 27 outings and who is currently the highest rated thoroughbred in Busan, nine time winner Dynamic Dash (Pleasantly Perfect), Dynamic Jilju (Forestry) – who has won two of his last three outings, ten time winner Gumpo Sky (Vicar), Mirae Yeongung (Aragorn), Power Blade (Menifee), Saengil Gippeum (Parading), Wonder Bolt (Desert Warrior) and Triple Nine (Ecton Park).

Eight time winner Wonder Bolt, currently Seoul’s highest rated runner, had been extremely consistent before a seventh place finish last time out –he had finished in the first three in his five previous outings.  

Image Emirates Racing