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.
Tara Talks Racing - Trials and Racing
This week we’re talking trials after an insightful set of official 2YO trials in Sydney, plus some racing and how Fangirl will eventually go to stud with two Group I wins less on her resume than there should be.
Japan Salutes a Champion as Romantic Warrior Triumphs in Yasuda Kinen
A lather of sweat before the start, Hong Kong’s favourite son, Romantic Warrior (IRE), added another chapter to his illustrious story with victory in the $3,264,000 Group 1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) at Tokyo on Sunday.
Wootton Bassett Sad Passing
Wootton Bassett, one of the world’s great sires, has sadly passed away today at Coolmore Australia.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 23
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Monday September 22
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First trial success for Sword Of State
Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State was represented by an impressive trial winner when State Of Valour coasted to victory in his two-year-old heat over 730m at Te Rapa on Tuesday.
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.
2025 G1 Golden Rose Field and Barrier Draw
Godolphin filly Tempted will take on eight colts in a nine horse Group One Golden Rose at Rosehill on Saturday where she retains favouritism after drawing barrier eight.
Seeking Slipper Success? Seek Sejardan
The Gr.1 Golden Slipper Stakes - the world's richest juvenile event and Australia's premier test of juvenile speed.