Romantic Warrior puts Hong Kong Gold Cup rivals to sword
An imperious Romantic Warrior made light work of five rivals at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon by winning a second HK$13 million Group 1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) for trainer Danny Shum and jockey James McDonald, following on from his success in 2024.
Sauntering to a four-length victory in the Triple Crown’s second leg, which follows his win in the HK$13 million Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and will climax with the HK$13 million Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on May 24, Romantic Warrior won a record-extending 13th Group 1 – the most for a Hong Kong-trained horse.
“He’s just beautifully prepared,” McDonald said.
“Danny’s just done a marvellous job, and each and every time I hop on him, I just cherish the moment. I feel so special every time and you look between his ears and he’s just so alert.”
The Acclamation gelding broke smoothly from barrier four to settle third as Beauty Joy made the running. Turning into the home straight, McDonald peeled out aboard Romantic Warrior and the bay exploded to the front with ease. John Size’s Ensued held on for second, while Francis Lui’s Winning Wing was a closing third. All runners carried 126lb.
“It’s a small field, and he’s very fit, actually,” Shum said.
“His condition is getting better and better. The 2000 metres is his best trip. I think he can handle it (2400m), but I don’t know if any overseas horses will come (in May), but I think they have a lot of potential.”
Boasting world-record earnings of HK$254.66 million, 2021 Hong Kong International Sale graduate, Romantic Warrior, clocked 1m 59.77s as he covered the final 400m in 22.52s. The eight-year-old was purchased for HK$4.8 million by owner Peter Lau, and has also won Group 1 races in Australia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
Shum, 65, indicated Romantic Warrior will chase a fourth HK$30 million Group 1 QEII Cup (2000m) after wins from 2022-2024 on Champions Day (April 26) before the Triple Crown’s last leg, the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup.
Beyond this season, Shum didn’t rule out returning to Saudi Arabia, the site of his famous close-up defeat to Forever Young in the 2025 Group 1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt).
“I think he will now go to the QEII Cup and then to the Champions & Chater before he finishes the season,” Shum said. “Maybe next season we will go to the Saudi Cup – we will keep everything open for now.”
Victory sees Romantic Warrior join Viva Pataca (2008 & 2009), Military Attack (2013 & 2014), Designs On Rome (2015 & 2016), Time Warp (2018 & 2020) and Golden Sixty (2021 & 2023) as dual Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup winners since the turn of the century.
Romantic Warrior was foaled on March 18, 2018 at Corduff Stud in County Kildare, Ireland. The only Triple Crown winners in Hong Kong racing history are the trailblazing River Verdon (1993/94) and Voyage Bubble last season.
Romantic Warrior will secure a HK$10 million bonus if he is successful in the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup. The horse was second in the 2023 edition of that race behind Russian Emperor.
Dylan Mo, the rider of Winning Wing, said: “It was a good run for this race because it’s a Group 1.”
Hugh Bowman, who partnered My Wish into fourth place, said: “I thought he was courageous. I thought it was a proper test of stamina and speed. The stamina found him out, but the speed was there.”
Regarding Ensued’s runner-up finish, jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, said: “Super run. A good strong gallop suited him good. He stays very well and he was good and tough, so second is a great result.”
Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (March 4).
