Sim Sang-chul Emerges as K-BOAT’s Most Reliable Contender

In K-BOAT, the rider most likely to control the race flow and secure a top-two finish is often referred to as the "anchor." The clearer the anchor, the easier it becomes to predict outcomes and improve hit rates. While these riders may not yield high dividends due to low odds, their consistency makes them the go-to choice for many fans seeking accuracy over risk.

One of the most common methods of identifying such riders is through analysing quinella odds. If a rider consistently produces the lowest quinella odds—predicting the top two finishers in exact order—it reflects their strong trust rating among punters. If they also frequently place in the top two, they are considered an ideal anchor.

By analysing records from early 2023 through the 15th session of 2025, Sim Sang-chul (A1) clearly stands out as the most reliable anchor. He has generated the lowest quinella odds 109 times and finished in the top two 84 times—a success rate of 77%. Earlier this year, he also became the second rider in K-BOAT history to reach 500 career wins in record time, further solidifying his elite status.

Second place goes to Kim Min-jyun (A1), who, despite a brief absence due to injury early this season, has made a strong return. Last year, he became the first rider in K-BOAT history to record 50 wins in a single season. He has appeared as a top contender 96 times and finished in the top two on 68 occasions.

Third is Kim Min-cheon (A1), who has formed the lowest quinella odds 85 times and converted 67 of those into top-two finishes. He was recognised as Best Rider after securing both the Wangjungwang Championship in June and the Grand Prix in December—a rare feat in K-BOAT history.

Cho Sung-in (A1) ranks fourth with 64 top-two finishes out of 84 anchor predictions. Fifth is Eo Sun-kyu (A1), who currently sits at 496 career wins, just shy of joining the 500-win club alongside Kim Jong-min and Sim Sang-chul. He was named the lowest quinella anchor 74 times, finishing in the top two 58 times, a 78% success rate.

Kim Wan-suck (A1) and Kim Do-hui (A1) follow, each recording 57 top-two finishes from 70 and 79 anchor designations, respectively. Kim Jong-min (A1) stands close behind with 56 top-two finishes from 72, followed by Joo Eun-seok (A1) with 53 out of 66, and Han Sung-geun (A1) with 53 out of 73.

Im Byeong-jun, lead analyst at ‘Quickboat’, remarked, "Identifying a reliable anchor is essential for race forecasting. Even fellow competitors often build their first-turn strategy around these anchors, given their significant influence on race dynamics." He added, "Still, no anchor is infallible. Just as one would knock on a stone bridge before crossing, it's crucial to double-check variables to improve prediction accuracy."