Romantic Warrior retirement marked the end of one of the most distinguished careers in modern international racing, with the Hong Kong champion bowing out as the sport’s highest-earning racehorse. At Sha Tin Racecourse, his career was defined by a record prizemoney haul of HK$288.74 million, approximately US$36.83 million, and 24 victories from 31 starts across Hong Kong and three overseas jurisdictions.
Owned by Peter Lau and trained throughout his career by Danny Shum, Romantic Warrior raced in turquoise and white silks and won 24 of his 31 starts. His record included 15 Hong Kong Group 1 victories, while his international achievements made him the only Hong Kong-trained horse to win in four separate racing jurisdictions.
Romantic Warrior retirement followed an exceptional international career
Romantic Warrior’s international record included victories in some of the most prestigious races across Asia, Australia and the Middle East. He captured the 2023 G1 W.S. Cox Plate over 2040m in Australia, the 2024 G1 Yasuda Kinen over 1600m in Japan and the 2025 G1 Jebel Hatta over 1800m in Dubai.
His achievements in Hong Kong were equally significant. He won the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup four times between 2022 and 2025, establishing an unprecedented record in the race. He also secured the G1 FWD QEII Cup on four occasions, in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2026.
His final season provided another landmark achievement when he became only the third Triple Crown winner in Hong Kong racing history. His campaign included victories in the 2026 G1 Stewards’ Cup over 1600m, the 2026 G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup over 2000m and the 2026 G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup over 2400m.
The accomplishment placed him alongside River Verdon, who achieved the feat in 1993/94, and Voyage Bubble, who completed the Triple Crown in 2024/25.
Romantic Warrior also collected Horse of the Year honours in 2023/24 and 2025/26, sharing the latter award with Ka Ying Rising. He was named Champion Middle-Distance Horse five times, from 2021/22 through 2025/26, and also secured Champion Miler and Champion Stayer honours in his final season.
His earlier accolades included Champion Four-Year-Old and Most Improved Horse in 2021/22, while he was named Most Popular Horse in 2023/24 and 2024/25.
After sustaining an injury to his left fore fetlock, Romantic Warrior spent seven months away from racing. He returned successfully in the 2025/26 season, winning the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup for a third time before producing five consecutive Group 1 victories and completing his historic Triple Crown campaign.
His only start on dirt came in the 2025 G1 Saudi Cup over 1800m, where he finished second behind Forever Young. He also finished runner-up in the 2025 G1 Dubai Turf over 1800m.
A champion from the Hong Kong International Sale
Romantic Warrior was foaled on 18 March 2018 at Corduff Stud in Ireland. The Hong Kong Jockey Club purchased him for 300,000 guineas at the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale before he was acquired by Lau for HK$4.8 million at the Hong Kong International Sale in 2021.
He won his first five starts, including three races over 1200m, before securing the 2022 Hong Kong Classic Mile over 1600m with Karis Teetan. The pair subsequently won the 2022 BMW Hong Kong Derby over 2000m.
James McDonald later became his principal international rider and partnered him to 14 of his 15 Group 1 victories. McDonald described Romantic Warrior as the best horse he had ridden and compared his significance to Australian champion Winx.
McDonald also expressed his hope that Romantic Warrior would eventually move to Australia, where he intended to help ensure the champion received the best possible care throughout his retirement.
Trainer Danny Shum credited Lau, McDonald and the wider stable team for the horse’s remarkable achievements. He also highlighted the BMW Hong Kong Derby and W.S. Cox Plate as two of the most significant victories of his training career.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club also praised Romantic Warrior’s contribution to the international profile of Hong Kong racing, describing his achievements as extending well beyond the racecourse. The club said his performances had demonstrated the quality and competitiveness of Hong Kong-trained horses on the world stage.
Romantic Warrior retired as an eight-year-old with a career-high rating of 127 in the 2025 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. The Hong Kong Jockey Club was set to hold a retirement ceremony for the champion at Sha Tin in due course.
Romantic Warrior retirement closed the career of Hong Kong’s record-breaking champion, whose 24 victories, 15 Group 1 successes and historic Triple Crown established an enduring place in international racing history.
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