Romantic Warrior has sealed his place as a Hong Kong racing immortal with a stunning triumph in the G1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) at Meydan Racecourse, smashing the track record with an extraordinary performance for Danny Shum and James McDonald.
Equalling Golden Sixty’s record of 10 Group 1 wins, Romantic Warrior steamrolled decorated opposition by four and a half lengths, clocking 1m 45.10s in defeating Poker Face and Holloway Boy to post his 18th win from 23 starts and conquering his fourth different racing jurisdiction after Group 1 successes in Hong Kong, Japan and Australia.
Romantic Warrior boosted his world record prizemoney earnings to almost HK$180 million with the win.
The Hong Kong International Sale graduate’s reputation as international racing’s ultimate globetrotter was cemented with a devastating surge from the 400m when he trailed leader Measured Time by 10 lengths.
McDonald, who partnered the Acclamation gelding to wins in the 2023 G1 W. S. Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley and the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) at Tokyo Racecourse as well as eight other elite victories, was unflustered as Measured Time forged away.
“As soon as I turned for home, I could see the leader in the race so far in front but he (Romantic Warrior) was picking up so beautifully and he did the rest,” McDonald said. “I was just delighted with him. He jumps fast, he travels well and I never felt in doubt at all.
“He adapts to anything. You could put him on a saucepan and he would run well – any pace, any distance would suit him fine.”
McDonald said he was more concerned before leaving the parade ring when Romantic Warrior was unusually animated.
“I was a little bit worried before the race with gap between runs, he was more fresh in the parade ring and then he managed get his cool going to the start, so that was pleasant to see,” McDonald said.
Romantic Warrior will next contest the G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) in Riyadh on 22 February before returning to Meydan for either the G1 Dubai World Cup (2000m, dirt) or G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) on 5 April.
Asked about switching to dirt for the Saudi Cup, McDonald said: “Your guess is as good as mine because I really don’t know. It’s foreign territory for him – a different surface – but one thing I do know is that he will try his best and he will give a great sight. Whether he can win, I’m not too sure but I wouldn’t swap him for anything.”
Shum was elated with Romantic Warrior’s performance.
“He’s a really good horse, he’s talented and he’s easy look after. I was not worried (during the race) because I trust James. He’s a world-class jockey so he knew the pace so I was 100 per cent not worried,” Shum said.
“He’s one of the best in the world, there’s no doubt. He’s got a good turn of foot, he listens to what the jockey wants him to do and he can kick.
McDonald enjoyed the perfect initiation to Meydan, striking with his first ride at the track when partnering Marbaan to victory in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort (1400m) in course record time of 1m 21.04s and closing the meeting with a treble when Keffaaf won the G3 Al Khail Trophy (2810m).
Laurel River, rated joint-first with City Of Troy in the 2024 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, was upset in the G3 Firebreak Stakes (1600m, dirt) when beaten a short head by French veteran King Gold after leading by six lengths at the 300m mark.
Making his first appearance at Meydan since finishing eighth to California Spangle in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) on 30 March, 2024, King Gold charged late under Adrie De Vries to cut down Laurel River, who was first-up since winning the G1 Dubai World Cup (2000m) last March by eight and a half lengths.
Devastated by defeat aboard Laurel River, Tadhg O’Shea rebounded with victory aboard Walk Of Stars in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge (1900m, dirt). Trained by Bhupat Seemar, the Dubawi gelding – along with Laurel River – could be among Romantic Warrior’s Saudi Cup opponents after downing Imperial Emperor and G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) victor Facteur Cheval.
By Leo Schlink in Dubai
