You are listening to an article from Canadian Thoroughbred.com. Romantic Warrior: World's Richest Horse After Hong Kong Win By: Hong Kong Jockey Club Media | .
On a day when Hong Kong racing shone on the international stage Ka Ying stands up (G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint), Travel bubble (G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile) and Great Britain celebrated their first victory at the Turf World Championships since 2012 spear (G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase) ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE) made history with victory in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.
Romantic Warrior (Acclamation (GB) – Folk Melody (Ire) by Street Cry (Ire) became the first horse to win the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) three times in a manner befitting his status as an outstanding equine ambassador for his home country.
In fact, the six-year-old defied a host of international competitors so effortlessly that jockey James McDonald was able to stand up in his irons and salute the packed Sha Tin stands as he crossed the finish line a length and a half ahead of Japan's Freedom Island.
The hefty favorite jumped cleverly from the gates and McDonald allowed him to find an uncomplicated rhythm in fourth place, with Irish filly Wingspan setting the pace.
Another Japanese challenger, Tastiera, was in second place and was really the only competition for Romantic Warrior as they headed home in a race that very few took part in. Liberty Island passed her compatriot in the final stages, but the winner had already concluded the competition with an impressive display of power, speed and grace.
“That was incredible, I’m so proud of this horse,” said McDonald. “He was simply remarkable and this is a great achievement from Danny (Shum, coach) and his team.
“The Japanese (horses) did it to him, but with no luck. He's the best, forget the rest, he's the best. It flew and anyone could ride it because it's so uncomplicated, but I'm lucky. He is the horse of his life. This was our moment to make history and it felt like I was lining up for the winning goal for the All Blacks. It was a pinch me moment.”
Shum said: “He was confident and full of energy. I stayed in the stable the whole time, I didn't want to go out and talk too much. I work difficult, I love my team and my team did a great job.”
Romantic Warrior has already flown the Hong Kong flag in several other jurisdictions and won the G1 Cox Plate (2000m) in Australia in October 2023. Shum and his team then made the bold decision to travel to Japan this June where he won the G1 Cox Plate (2000m) and G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) in Tokyo.
With this latest success in an unbeaten streak of more than a year, he overtakes another Hong Kong great, Golden Sixty, and is considered the biggest money earner in racing history.
Next February is another huge date in his calendar with a crack in the dirt for that lucrative G1 Saudi Cup (1800 m).
“He is the best, but I have to take on another bigger challenge and travel to Dubai and Saudi Arabia just because I haven't been to Dubai in 25 years,” Shum said.
“At that time I was assistant coach to Mr Ivan Allan, I had a novel experience. I will make sure the team that goes there is at its best.
“The owner, Mr Peter Lau, said it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take on the challenge in Saudi Arabia and compete for the highest prize money in the world. We’re experimenting with dirt, but I tried it on an all-weather trial with a pacifier and it was pretty good.”
“This meeting was broadcast live to 29 countries and in Hong Kong we had a huge turnout with a total attendance of 80,000. We also had 6,511 visitors from the mainland, which is a record – 40 percent more than last year.”
Sha Tin hosted 69,916 participantswhile Content Valley attracted 10,775 people for a total of 80,691 – the highest LONGINES HKIR visitor number since 2018.
Revenue (betting) reached HK$1,716.3 million (approximately US$220 million), including a record HK$473.8 million (approximately US$60.9 million) – an augment of 10 percent over LONGINES HKIR last year.
Family tree notes by CT
Acclamation has been one of Ireland's top sires for years and the Group 2-winning son of Royal Applause died last month at the age of 25.
Romantic Warrior's dam, Folk Melody, won five races once and is a 2011 Foal of the Year. She has produced four other named foals and two minor winners. Second dam Folk Opera (Ire) won the EP Taylor Stakes (G1) at Woodbine in 2008, but only had two winning foals from eight runners.
Voyage Bubble ridden by James McDonald wins the Longines Hong Kong Mile on December 8, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Alex Evers/HKJC)
