James McDonald, one of the world’s leading jockeys, has showered high praise on Romantic Warrior, describing the racehorse as the toughest he has ever ridden, following their stunning victory in the Group One Longines Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday. This marks Romantic Warrior’s second consecutive win in the city’s richest race, joining the esteemed ranks of California Memory, the 2011 and 2012 champion of the event.
Romantic Warrior, trained by Danny Shum Chap-shing, demonstrated exceptional resilience and skill, returning from a successful Australian campaign that included a historic win in the Group One Cox Plate at Moonee Valley. The horse edged out Irish contender Luxembourg in a nail-biting finish to claim the HK$36 million Hong Kong Cup, boosting his career earnings to over HK$100 million with a record of 12 wins from 17 starts.
McDonald, who has partnered with Romantic Warrior for six races, including their groundbreaking Cox Plate victory, lauded the horse’s remarkable determination and spirit. He emphasized that despite the challenges of a quick turnaround post-Cox Plate, Romantic Warrior’s performance in the Hong Kong Cup was his most impressive yet.
The race unfolded under contrasting conditions compared to Romantic Warrior’s first Hong Kong Cup win in 2022. Unlike the fast-paced race led by Panthalassa the previous year, the 2023 edition saw a more conservative tempo set by front-runner Money Catcher. Ryan Moore, riding Luxembourg, made a strategic move 600 meters from the finish, creating a tense head-to-head battle with McDonald and Romantic Warrior. McDonald acknowledged Moore’s tactical expertise but expressed immense pride in his horse’s ability to prevail under pressure.
For Shum, this victory was a testament to Romantic Warrior’s resilience and character, especially considering the horse’s strenuous journey back from Australia, including a ten-hour flight and two weeks of quarantine. The trainer praised Romantic Warrior’s strength and warrior-like qualities, acknowledging the horse’s exceptional physical and mental fortitude.
The future plans for Romantic Warrior, a five-year-old Hong Kong International Sale graduate, remain to be decided. Shum plans to consult with the horse’s owner, Peter Lau Pak-fai, to chart the course for the next phase of Romantic Warrior’s illustrious career. This victory not only cements Romantic Warrior’s status as a top-tier racehorse but also showcases the skill and partnership between McDonald and Shum in the high-stakes world of horse racing.
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