Over several decades of watching extraordinary equine athletes all around the world, I have been privileged to observe many champions, notably FRANKEL, BLACK CAVIAR, WINX and SILENT WITNESS, among others.
They are entrenched in racing’s firmament of stars, revered for their supreme capacity to elevate beyond accepted performance benchmarks with incredible athletic prowess and amazing determination.
ROMANTIC WARRIOR was not only a champion but, in my opinion, he retires as an immortal of our sport because of the sheer volume of outstanding performances in five different racing jurisdictions and because of what he meant to Hong Kong.
In the history of horse racing, very few horses have won Group 1 contests in four different jurisdictions. Even fewer have won racing left-handed and right-handed from 1600m to 2040m. ROMANTIC WARRIOR managed all of this and went within a neck of triumphing in a fifth jurisdiction at the highest level.
Only the most freakishly talented horses are capable of such towering feats.
Romantic Warrior not only dominated elite middle-distance features in Hong Kong for his owner Mr Peter Lau, trainer Danny Shum and jockeys James McDonald and Karis Teetan, but he asserted his dominance in coveted overseas contests.
It was an honour to be on-course to experience his greatest achievements, including the 2023 G1 W. S. Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley in Melbourne, where he defeated Australasia’s finest middle-distance horses on a tight-turning circuit renowned for its quirks.
His absolute determination to win that day, when locked in battle with MR BRIGHTSIDE, secured Hong Kong’s first victory in Australia’s most prized weight-for-age contest.
Similarly, ROMANTIC WARRIOR’s effort to challenge and topple Japan’s best milers in the 2024 G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) was remarkable for several reasons, not simply his effort to drop back from 2000m of the G1 QEII Cup at Sha Tin and to win an international G1 over a mile, but also because of the phenomenal reception he received from the crowd in Tokyo that afternoon.
The passionate Japanese fans were clearly hopeful SOUL RUSH, GAIA FORCE or SERIFOS would continue the host nation’s long dominance of the prestigious mile but when ROMANTIC WARRIOR prevailed, the local fans rose to acclaim Hong Kong’s global champion.
Dubai was next to witness ROMANTIC WARRIOR’s remarkable turn of foot when he swept to a record-breaking victory in the 2025 G1 Jebel Hatta over 1800m at Meydan, clocking a blistering 1m 45.10s.
The scorching time aside, ROMANTIC WARRIOR’s refusal to surrender even when he was 10 lengths behind the leader at the 400m was another insight into his intelligence and determination.
The victory propelled ROMANTIC WARRIOR into one of the most select groups in international racing, featuring horses who have won Group 1s in four different jurisdictions, including ENABLE, FALBRAV and REBEL’S ROMANCE.
It is a credit to Danny and Peter that they were prepared to embark on dirt racing’s most formidable assignment with ROMANTIC WARRIOR by challenging Japanese dirt superstar FOREVER YOUNG in the G1 Saudi Cup (1800m) and finishing second by a neck in track record time, with USHBA TESORO 10 lengths further back in third.
It is extraordinary to think this was ROMANTIC WARRIOR’s only career start on dirt and, again, it was his quality and bravery which carried him to the brink of victory.
Of all ROMANTIC WARRIOR’s fans around the world, none are enthusiastic as those in Hong Kong, and it is not difficult to understand why with his unrelenting excellence over five unforgettable seasons.
The G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) is not only Hong Kong’s richest race with HK$40 million prizemoney, but it routinely attracts outstanding 10-furlong horses from around the world. It is staggering to think that, even when pitted against the might of international visitors, ROMANTIC WARRIOR reigned supreme with a record four victories in the race – an achievement which is even more amazing when it is considered no other horse in history has won the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup more than twice.
ROMANTIC WARRIOR was just as potent in the G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m), also claiming that showpiece on four occasions, which is also an unprecedented feat.
With 24 wins from 31 starts, 12 of those victories came at G1 level in Hong Kong – performances which duly saw him amass a host of accolades, including Horse of the Year (2023/24 & 2025/26 [shared with Ka Ying Rising]), Champion Middle-Distance Horse (2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 & 2025/26), Champion Miler (2025/26) and Champion Stayer (2025/26).
He was also acknowledged as Champion Four-Year-Old (2021/22) following his 2022 BMW Hong Kong Derby success, Most Improved Horse (2021/22) and Most Popular Horse (2023/24 & 2024/25), while last season saw ROMANTIC WARRIOR become only the third Triple Crown winner in Hong Kong racing history, following River Verdon (1993/94) and Voyage Bubble (2024/25).
By any measure, ROMANTIC WARRIOR’s career is virtually incomparable – especially when his world record prizemoney of HK$288.74 million (approx. US$36.83 million) is factored in – but ROMANTIC WARRIOR’s feats transcend racecourse excellence.
There is no doubt he is a global sporting icon with performances which have showcased Hong Kong racing to audiences around the world, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as one of the leading racing jurisdictions internationally.
In discussions with people from around the world, ROMANTIC WARRIOR is universally respected and admired and he has been an outstanding ambassador for our sport and for Hong Kong with achievements that have inspired racing fans globally, while strengthening the international profile and relevance of Hong Kong racing.
Danny, Peter and James have managed ROMANTIC WARRIOR with tremendous expertise, and I would like to convey my deepest appreciation to them, along with Danny’s stable staff and the Club’s veterinary team who have cared for ROMANTIC WARRIOR throughout his stellar career.
Combined, they have elevated Hong Kong racing on the global stage and have authored one of the greatest chapters in the history of Hong Kong racing and the Club is currently working with Peter and Danny to organise a farewell ceremony for ROMANTIC WARRIOR at Sha Tin at a date to be confirmed.
ROMANTIC WARRIOR is without question an immortal of our sport and I thank him for the joy, the lasting memories and pride that he brought to Hong Kong and the international racing community, and I wish him the best of health in retirement.
Source: Hong Kong Jockey Club