Horse of the Year Knicks Go, who was a groundbreaking horse on the track for the Korea Racing Authority, will continue his stud career in that country in 2026, the organization announced on Friday. Knicks Go, a son of Paynter, began his career at Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky in 2022. His first crop is on the track this year, led by graded stakes winner Ewing. "Knicks Go has been a symbol of the shared excellence between American breeders and the KRA, achieving remarkable success both on the racetrack and as a sire in the United States," the KRA said in a release. "Over the past few seasons, many U.S. breeders have placed great trust in Knicks Go, sending high-quality mares and contributing to his success. Their passion and support have made him what he is today." :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. Korean Thoroughbred interests have long sought out American bloodstock to build its industry, as racing in Korea is conducted on dirt due to frequent wet weather. Horses are often purchased in the U.S. at relatively modest prices, as the national government, which regulates Thoroughbred activities, long imposed a price limit on imported horses. Maryland-bred Knicks Go was purchased for $87,000 in the second week of the 2017 Keeneland September yearling sale. Knicks Go, first trained by Ben Colebrook and later Brad Cox, went on to win seven graded stakes from ages 2 to 5 – with one start at age 6 – and earn more than $9.2 million. His wins included Grade 1 triumphs in the 2018 Breeders’ Futurity, 2020 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, and 2021 Pegasus World Cup, Whitney, and Breeders’ Cup Classic to secure Horse of the Year honors. Knicks Go is the sire of 16 winners from 53 starters through Oct. 23. Ewing won both his starts at Saratoga this summer, including the Grade 2 Saratoga Special, before going to the sidelines this fall. He is expected back for a 3-year-old campaign. The stallion is also represented by La Culasse, third in the Grade 1 Natalma at Woodbine. While Korea has imported a number of stallions from the U.S., some with accomplished race records or stakes-performing progeny in their own rights, bringing in a horse that raced in the KRA's colors to an American championship is a milestone moment. "This relocation does not mark an end but rather a new beginning," the KRA's release stated. "The KRA’s ‘Overseas Bloodstock Development Program’ was designed to identify outstanding stallion prospects early and introduce them to Korea to improve the quality and competitiveness of domestic racehorse breeding. Knicks Go will become one of the first and most prominent examples of this vision coming to fruition. "We extend our deepest gratitude to all the breeders, farm staff, and industry professionals who have supported Knicks Go throughout his journey," the release continued. "We fully understand that this decision may bring a sense of disappointment to some breeders who had hoped to continue breeding to him in the United States. However, this relocation is a step toward the long-term development of Korea’s racing and breeding industry, and Knicks Go’s legacy will continue to hold international recognition and genetic value." :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.