Romantic Warrior etches name further into the history books with record-extending fourth Cup win
Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) racked up a record-extending fourth consecutive success in Sunday’s Hong Kong Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) as the highest-earning thoroughbred in history took his all-time earnings to a cool HK$212.72 million (approx. AU$41.1m) courtesy of his latest win in the territory’s richest race.
However, the final Group 1 contest of the day was not without incident as a protester stormed the track while the race was underway, bearing a sign calling for an inquiry into the deadly apartment complex fire in Tai Po last month which killed more than 150 people. Staff were forced to charge across the track to apprehend the individual as the field hurtled towards them down the home straight.
Winner of the 2023 Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m), Romantic Warrior had endured a slightly interrupted preparation heading into Sunday’s Hong Kong International Races (HKIR), having suffered an injury when going down by just a nose behind Soul Rush (Rulership) in the Dubai Turf (Gr 1, 1800m) at Meydan back in April.
Returning to the track in Hong Kong last month after recovering from a small surgery, Romantic Warrior proved his wellbeing with a comfortable length and a half defeat of Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) in the Jockey Club Cup (Gr 2, 2000m) and was a red-hot favourite to enter rare air as a winner of the same Group 1 race on four straight occasions.
Lining up from barrier two under regular rider James McDonald in the HK$40 million (approx. AU$7.7 million) contest, the Danny Shum-trained son of Acclamation (Royal Applause) sat midfield throughout the first two thirds of the race.
Moving up stylishly approaching the home bend, Romantic Warrior glided to the lead entering the final 300 metres and, once asked, cleared away in decisive fashion before coming home an eased-down one and three-quarter lengths winner over Bellagio Opera (Lord Kanaloa), who finished well for second.
There was a further three and a half lengths back to Quisisana (Le Havre) in third place.
“I’m very proud of Romantic Warrior and our stable team, they work really hard,” Shum said. “It’s a big relief. He always gives me a lot of happiness, not only me but my stable, owners, my family and in Hong Kong, even racing fans or non-racing fans, they all love Romantic Warrior.
“To be honest, there was a lot of pressure. He had his surgery [when a screw was inserted in his left front leg at the end of May], but he is such a good, calm, lovely horse. He’s part of my family, I love him. My son says I love Romantic Warrior more than him!
“He’s very easy to train. He doesn’t need too much work and his body weight will tell you, his appetite will tell you how fit he is.”
McDonald, who was presented with his trophy for the Longines World’s Best Jockey on Friday night, was almost speechless following the race and could only lavish praise on his mount, aboard whom he has now won ten Group 1s.
McDonald, who overtook Frankie Dettori as the most-winning jockey in the race courtesy of Romantic Warrior’s four victories, said: “He’s so special. He’s just a freak. I don’t know what to say … I just love him. I love him.”
Romantic Warrior is likely to now be geared towards another face-off with Forever Young (Real Steel), who he finished just a neck behind when second in the Saudi Cup (Gr 1, 1800m, dirt) at Riyadh earlier this year, but Shum will wait to confirm the decision.
“I always say, we know he’s turning eight really soon, but he doesn’t know he’s turning eight,” he said.
“This is amazing. He’s been in Australia, Japan, Dubai, second in the biggest prize-money in the world in Saudi [Arabia]. Also second in the Dubai Turf. He’s come back and had two wins.
“The plan is always made by the owner, Peter [Lau]. He has wisdom, we all trust him. If he says, ‘Danny, go to Saudi Arabia’, I’ll go to Saudi Arabia. If he says, ‘Danny stay in Hong Kong’, I’ll stay in Hong Kong. We’re a good team, I trust Peter a lot.”