Sand Kahn another Korean addition to winner list

Scoring on Saturday at Seoul in his 10th lifetime start, Sand Kahn became the 104th worldwide winner from my 187 sales selections at various juvenile sales in the States.

The Korean Racing Authority Web site is down, so updated earnings for the horse aren't yet available. But with the win and one prior placing, I'm guesstimating his bankroll at between $25,000 and $30,000 U.S.

I shortlisted the colt by Dehere-Population(IRE), by General Assembly for a client seeking a bargain prospect out of last year's Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale of 2-year-olds in training at Timonium, Md. The dark bay sold for $20,000 to the KOID, Korea's racing authority, and was exported for resale and racing. He's knocked heads in Class IV competition (races that often include older horses and minor winners) at Korea's premier track, nabbing at best lesser awards until finally getting up for the win on Friday in a 1,300-meter race.

He is at least the 10th winner foaled by his dam, who retired a maiden after six starts. The most notable of her offspring is English Group 1 winner SARATOGA SPRINGS (El Gran Senor).

With 104 maiden-breakers, the 187 selections now have 55.6 winners among their number. Sand Kahn's victory also brings to 50 percent the number of winners out of that 48-horse EASMAY short-list, horses which on average brought bids of less than half the sale average. Among the best from that sale (and among seven of 13 from the 187-horse list to win in Korea) is Viva Ace, a $20,000 purchase who has six wins and three seconds from 10 starts at Busan for about $209,000 U.S.

The KOID is restricted from spending more than $20,000 on a colt and more than $40,000 on a filly at the U.S. sales, though the animals often bring much more than that when resold at auction in Korea.

Click here and scroll down to see all 187 selections.