The international footprint of the China Horse Club will expand further this Sunday when star sprinter Wimbledon takes his place in the USD620,000 (700,000,000 Won) Keeneland Korea Sprint (1200m) in Seoul, Korea.
Korea will be the eleventh international region that the club’s famed red and yellow silks will be sported joining a list of nations that includes China, Australia, Britain, France, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the United States.
An invitation to participate in the international sprint on Korea’s biggest weekend of racing was accepted as part of a mantra to support the internationalization of horse racing and to also help grow the industry across Asia.
“The Korean Racing Authority (KRA) deserves all of the accolades it is being given for not only growing its business but for connecting the international racing community and strengthening the racing industry across Asia,” said Teo Ah Khing, Chairman of the China Horse Club.
“The opportunity for the China Horse Club to support the KRA and its initiatives is one we warmly accepted. The KRA is a model that other nations’ can aspire to follow, they are showing leadership in how horse racing is brought to the wider marketplace and to the community at large and that is refreshing.
“As a private club, it is our goal to not only provide unique experiences to our members but to also be a contributor to the industry at large and Korean Racing is rightly being supported by us and by owners across Japan, the United States, Hong Kong and France.”
Wimbledon drew barrier 10 at today’s barrier draw which will see 15 runners compete in the Korea Sprint while 11 will contest the USD885,000 (1,000,000,000 Won) Korea Cup (1800m). The James Peters trained Wimbledon has travelled well to Korea ahead of what will be his first engagement outside his native Singapore.
The well-bred entire has been a model of consistency in the island republic over the last two racing seasons and but faces a new challenge on Seoul’s deep sand surface. However, that did not dampen the enthusiasm of Chairman Teo who was elated to be participating despite Wimbledon’s wide draw. “Any barrier is a good barrier,” he said when asked of his view of the draw.
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