The Seoul Racehorse Owners Association (SROA) awarded a total of 18 million won in scholarships to nine students at Korea Equine High School, the Korea Racing Authority announced on the 19th.
At the 34th SROA Chairman's Cup (G2) held at LetsRun Park Seoul on the 17th of this month, Bondia from the Busan-Gyeongnam region won the race. After the awards ceremony, SROA Chairman Cho Yong-hak delivered a 30 million won donation to the Community Chest of Korea Seoul branch for underprivileged communities, followed by Vice Chairman Baek Kook-in presenting scholarships to Korea Equine High School.
Launched in 2022 and now in its fifth year, the SROA Scholarship has been leading the cultivation of future horse industry talent, including jockeys, trainers, horse handlers, and track riders. SROA scholarship recipients who aspire to become jockeys also participate in the "South African Jockey Training Program" promoted by the Korea Racing Authority.
"On Owners' Day, I am pleased to be able to practice social solidarity and responsibility as a racehorse owner," SROA Chairman Cho Yong-hak said. "I feel great fulfillment seeing our scholarship recipients beginning to work at racing venues. We will continue to support students who dream of becoming horse racing professionals so they can challenge themselves with a greater vision."
Korea Racing Authority Chairman Woo Hee-jong said, "On Owners' Day, I extend deep gratitude to the racehorse owners for their dedication and contributions that have sustained Korean horse racing thus far. The Korea Racing Authority will continue to lend more strength so that the value and philosophy of sharing through horses may shine even brighter."
At the 34th SROA Chairman's Cup (G2, 1,200m) held that day, Bondia, ranked 10th in popularity with win odds of 82.7, drew attention with a wire-to-wire victory among the 15 horses competing. Taking the lead from the start with a strong front-running performance, Bondia overcame the strong favorite Vincero Cavallo to win by half a length.
The 5-year-old Bondia secured its first career stakes race victory while also delivering jockey Seo Kang-ju his first stakes race win, emerging as a goddess of fortune.
