Romantic Warrior's History in Hong Kong

Craig Tompson - Sunday December 8

Champion Romantic Warrior created some special history when emphatically winning his third Group I Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Romantic Warrior wins his third Hong Kong Cup under James McDonald. Photo: Grant Courtney

Undoubtedly one of the best horses in the world, Romantic Warrior has been in rare air for the last year or more, winning his last seven starts including five in his home land to go with Australia’s G1 Cox Plate and Japan’s G1 Yasuda Kinen.

In fact it’s been rare air for a number of years, with his career now standing at 22 starts for 17 wins, nine at Group One level.

The seven year-old Danny Shum trained gelding went to the gates a prohibitively short priced favourite and James McDonald made full use of his inside draw to lead early before taking a sit on the rail.

Midway along the back straight he shifted off the fence, ensuring clear air for when things got serious, and when they did he was in a class of his own, winning by a length a half from Japan’s Liberty Island (Duramente) with Tastiera (Satono Crown) third.

He becomes the first horse to win the Hong Kong Cup three times and sets a new prizemoney record for Hong Kong with his $HK177,322,706. We’ll call that $AUD35million, give or a take few dollars.

Advertisement

Romantic Warrior - a lot of love

“Unbelievable,” was McDonald’s immediate summation.

“The Japanese put it to him but with no luck. He’s the best.

“Anyone could ride him, he’s that easy. But I’m the lucky one. Horse of a lifetime

“This was our moment to create history.”

Bred in Ireland by Tim Rooney and David Egan of Corduff Stud, Romantic Warrior was originally purchased by Mick Kinane on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club for 300,000gns at the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale before sold at the Hong Kong International Sale to Peter Lau for HK$4.8 million ($814,000).

He is the third foal of the Street Cry (IR) mare Folk Melody, which was an €82,000 purchase for Blandford Bloodstock from the Godolphin draft at the 2016 Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale.

His sire Acclamation died at age 25 last week, only a few weeks after being officially retired from stallion duties at Rathbarry Stud in Ireland having sired 68 stakes winners.

Advertisment

Race Result - The Longines Hong Kong Cup Gr1 2000m

Sha Tin Track: Good Time: 2:00.51
1
Romantic Warrior
- 7g Acclamation (GB) x Folk Melody (IRE) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: C S Shum Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
2
1.5
Liberty Island
- 5m Duramente (JPN) x Yankee Rose (AUS) (All American (AUS))
Tnr: M Nakauchida Rdr: Y Kawada 55.5
3
2.8
Tastiera
- 5h Satono Crown (JPN) x Partitura (JPN) (Manhattan Cafe (JPN))
Tnr: Noriyuki Hori Rdr: D Lane 57
4
4.8
The Foxes
- 5h Churchill (IRE) x Tanaghum (GB) (Darshaan (GB))
Tnr: Andrew Balding Rdr: O Murphy 57
5
5
Straight Arron
- 6g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Imperial Lass (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: P F Yiu Rdr: B Avdulla 57
6
6.3
Calif
- 6g Areion (GER) x Cherry Danon (IRE) (Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE))
Tnr: C & Y Lerner Rdr: A De Vries 57
7
6.5
Content
- 4m Galileo (IRE) x Mecca's Angel (IRE) (Dark Angel (IRE))
Tnr: A O'Brien Rdr: R Moore 54
8
6.8
Spirit Dancer
- 8g Frankel (GB) x Queen's Dream (GER) (Oasis Dream (GB))
Tnr: R A Fahey Rdr: O Orr 57
9
8.3
Nimble Nimbus
- 7g Sacred Falls (NZ) x Marahau (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: P F Yiu Rdr: A Atzeni 57
10
10
Wingspan
- 4m Dubawi (IRE) x Hydrangea (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: A O'Brien Rdr: W M Lordan 54
11
14.5
Encountered
- 6g Churchill (IRE) x Enrol (GB) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: D J Hall Rdr: J Bowman 57
More Reading...
Cox Plate Hero Romantic Warrior Breaks Course Record at Meydan
The reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year and winner of the 2023 Cox Plate in Australia, Romantic Warrior (IRE) was invincible last night at Meydan for James McDonald when powering to a scintillating victory in the Group I Jebel Hatta (1800m) in course record time.
Third Black Type Win For Snitzel’s Lazzura
A member of the Waller team to hold a dual acceptance leading into Saturday’s Randwick meeting, it was the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) where 4yo Snitzel mare Lazzura came out on top, recording her third black type victory.
Wuddzz Caps Fine 24 Hours For Dwyer
Handy stayer Wuddzz came with a well-timed run under Tim Clark to land the Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy (2400m) at Randwick.
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 23
Here is the full list of 106 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Cox Plate Winner Takes G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup
Champion jockey James McDonald was reunited with Irish bred Cox Plate winner Romantic Warrior at Sha Tin on Sunday with the pair combining to win the Group I Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) in an epic battle with Australian bred Deep Field gelding Voyage Bubble.
Carlyon Stakes To Baraqiel – Second SW For Snitzel
Successful in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) last time in, Sniztel’s 7yo son Baraqiel continued his outstanding record at the Moonee Valley circuit, resuming to win the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) first up, highlighting potential Group 1 spring aims.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Autumn Glow
Resuming off the back of two solid barrier trials efforts, Chris Waller’s Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) stepped up to open company for the first time, with the $1.8m yearling purchase extending her unbeaten run to five with victory in the Group 3 ATC Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick.
Winning Return for the Best in Australia - Via Sistina
Set to be crowned Australia’s Horse of the Year for last season, the mighty Fastnet Rock mare Via Sistina (IRE) returned on a rain soaked track at Randwick on Saturday to win the $1million Group I ATC Winx Stakes (1400m).
Sterling Express Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Sterling Express stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs.
First Black Type Victory For Nellie Leylax (IRE)
Not a bad way to break through for your first Australian victory as the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Nellie Leylax (IRE) cleared out by more than two lengths to claim the Group 3 ATC Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick.