Knicks will make Korea great | Just horse racing

“Hard to see him leave – he’s off to such a good start,” said former Keeneland executive Tom Thornbury with the highly successful Knicks Go to continue his career in Korea.

“I wish all the best for the Korean breeders,” as it is the Korea Racing Authority that stated, “Knicks Go has achieved remarkable success both on the track and as a sire in the United States.”

Exciting news from Tom Thornbury as he celebrates Knicks Go 6th as Leading US Sire of 2YO Winners with 28 winners from 72 runners and a base of 117 first foals, against all sires.

Being also 2nd in the Leading Freshman Sires of Winners, he is tied for first in the Graded Stakes Winners table for siring a Grade 2 winner and has an average winning distance of 7.07 furlong.

And from a 2024 inaugural yearling crop of 97 yearlings offered for sale, he averaged $53,979 per yearling, with his 37 colts going for $66,068, and his Siempre Mi Amor colt Gethsemaul his top lot at $425,000.

Knicks Go is located at the KRA Jeju Stud Farm in Korea and has its undefeated Gade 2 Saratoga Special ‘Rising Star’. Ewing is in the market for the Run for The Roses, being a $525,000 Ocala 2YO.

With so many worldwide winning on dirt and turf from 8f to 8.5f, his Grade 1 Natalma Stakes third won La Culasse over 8.5f at Woodbine, and My Gray Honor was Grade 1 third in Puerto Rico.

Rated Longines World’s Best Racehorse, Eclipse Horse of the Year and Champion Older Horse in 2021, and was the wire-to-wine winner of the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic with a 112 Beyer.

With a new track record of 1:33.85, Knicks Go won the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile by 3½ lengths, the Whitney Stakes by 4½ lengths with a 111 Beyer and the Pegasus World Cup with a 113 Beyer.

He was bested by his Haskell Invitational sire Paynter and was purchased for $87,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearlings by the KRA ‘Overseas Bloodstock Program’ to identify stallion prospects.

Tom Thornbury subsequently stated, “In 2000, Keeneland began seriously developing relationships with breeders and owners from many countries around the world.”

“Keeneland presented seminars to introduce best practices in South America, Canada, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Korea, Japan, China, Australia and South Africa. Ultimately, buyers from more than 40 racing countries appeared at Keeneland’s yearling and breeding stock sales.”

“Foreign buyers were immediately rewarded by the dominance of their American-bred horses, and their success led to the presence of even more interested buyers looking to compete.”

“The success of American horses in Korea has led to significant investments over the years by owners and breeders who have now developed competitive Korean-bred horses in Korea itself.”

“The move to Korea of ​​the highly successful racehorse Knicks Go, who has become a leading sire of 2-year-olds in the US, is a good example of this. Keeneland has always placed great emphasis on the development of racing and breeding abroad.”

“Keeneland’s intent is not only to create new purchasing markets for American breeders. It is also their intent to help breeders and owners in those countries develop the infrastructure of their racing venues, breeding operations and sales operations.”

“Keeneland was founded by a group of altruistic breeders, and their initial generosity has continued through this recent outreach. U.S. breeders have benefited from the presence of a large number of interested international buyers at U.S. sales.”

“Owners and breeders from other racing countries have taken their breed to the next level and improved their breeding, sales and racing programs through Keeneland’s free introduction of best practices over the years.”

*Existing customers only. 2nd racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Responsible gambling.