Choegang Schiller takes down $340,000 Asia Challenge Cup

Artie Schiller became the first American-based horse to sire the winner of Korea’s prestigious $340,000 Asia Challenge Cup, going 1200 meters over the sand track at Seoul Race Park, when Choegang Schiller pulled off the victory over the highly regarded El Padrino (NZ), who won this race a year ago.

Choegang Schiller tracked a pair of pacesetter until making his move up the inside with about two furlongs to run, comfortably holding off El Padrino by two lengths to finish the distance in 1:11 flat.

“I ran second (with Wonder Bolt) a year ago, so I’m really, really happy with this win,” said trainer Ji Young Hun. He added that he thought Choegang Schiller was coming into the race in top form, “but I was very concerned about El Padrino.” 

A winner of seven of 13 lifetime starts. Choegang Schiller was bred in Kentucky by Runnymede Farm and the Peter J. Callahan Revocable Trust, and sold by Runnymede for $25,000 at the 2012 Keeneland September Sale.

From the extended family of Chris Evert and Winning Colors, Choegang Schiller is the second stakes winner bred out of Changeable. His third dam, Missed the Wedding, produced multiple graded winners Missed the Storm and Green Means Go.

Artie Schiller’s runners have earned over $2.2 million this year, with six black type horse, including two graded stakes winners.