Undefeated Romance: The Rise and Rise of Romantic Warrior

Romantic Warrior in Australia prepping for the 2023 Cox Plate. (Photo: Racing Photos)

Romantic Warrior, the reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year, has once again showcased his brilliance by clinching a third consecutive Hong Kong International Cup. The Irish-bred star, trained by C.S. Shum, effortlessly dispatched his rivals to secure a 1.5-length victory.

Romantic Warrior is a thoroughbred horse born in Ireland in 2018, he is by Acclamation (GB) out of Folk Melody (IRE), and owned by Peter Lau Pak Fai.

The overwhelming favourite, stormed to victory in the HK$40 million Hong Kong Cup on Sunday, securing a record third Group One title. This triumph propelled the star horse to the top of the all-time earnings list, surpassing the recently retired champion Golden Sixty. The home team's dominance was evident at Sha Tin's Hong Kong International Races.

The six-year-old Hong Kong champion, hailed as "the perfect racehorse" by jockey James McDonald, Aidan O'Brien's Wingspan set the early pace, with McDonald giving Romantic Warrior the signal to kick on a furlong and a half from home. The horse quickly moved up a gear, pulling away from Liberty Island, with McDonald having enough in hand to salute the crowd well before the line, claiming the Hong Kong International Cup by 1.5 lengths, with Liberty Island finishing second and Tastiera third.

This win capped off a remarkable day for McDonald, who also secured a Group 1 victory aboard Voyage Bubble in the Hong Kong Mile, continuing his impressive form since the Melbourne Cup Carnival, where he set a new record for most wins. Romantic Warrior’s triumph marks a historic achievement, making him the first horse ever to win three editions of the Hong Kong International Cup, after previously being tied with California Memory as the only two horses to win the prestigious 2000m race twice.

Romantic Warrior had already showcased Hong Kong's presence on the international stage, including his victory in the Cox Plate (G1) in Australia in October 2023. He narrowly defeated local hero Mr Brightside, making history as the first Hong Kong-trained horse to win Australia's prestigious weight-for-age race.

James Mc Donald winning the 2023 Cox Plate with Romantic Warrior. (Photo: Racing Photos)

In the 2023 Hong Kong International Cup, Romantic Warrior showcased his trademark tenacity, fending off a late challenge from Luxembourg to claim a dramatic victory. This landmark win has cemented his place as one of the greatest racehorses of his generation and enhanced the global reputation of Hong Kong racing.

In June 2024, trainer Shum and his team made the bold decision to travel to Japan, where he triumphed in the Yasuda Kinen (G1) in Tokyo. With his sights set on February, a major date is marked on his calendar for a bid at the US$20 million Saudi Cup (G1) over 1600m. Following that, he will target the US$12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) on April 5.

Romantic Warrior has amassed over AUD$33 million in prize money, including HKD$152.6 million, AUD$3 million, and JPY¥183.78 million from races in Hong Kong, Australia, and Japan, respectively.