The grandstands at Sha Tin Racecourse rose in celebration on Sunday as Romantic Warrior etched his name deeper into racing history, becoming only the third horse to complete Hong Kong’s coveted Triple Crown with victory in the Group 1 Champions & Chater Cup over 2400 metres.
Already regarded as one of the modern greats of international racing, the Danny Shum-trained star produced another performance of composure and class under James McDonald to claim his 15th Group 1 success and further strengthen his standing among the sport’s immortals.
Hong Kong Triple Crown winner Romantic Warrior.
The HK$13 million staying feature unfolded at a measured tempo before Romantic Warrior gradually moved into contention approaching the home straight. Sitting fourth for much of the contest behind Numbers and Romantic Thor, the eight-year-old travelled powerfully before McDonald asked him to quicken inside the final 400 metres.
Numbers fought resolutely in front, but Romantic Warrior’s trademark acceleration carried him past in the closing stages, asserting near the 50-metre mark to score by half a length. Deep Monster finished strongly for third, another length and a half away, while the winning time of 2m 26.67s matched the mark set by Voyage Bubble in last season’s edition.
The triumph secured a HK$10 million Triple Crown bonus and elevated Romantic Warrior’s career earnings to a world-record HK$288.7 million for owner Peter Lau. More importantly, it placed him alongside River Verdon and Voyage Bubble as the only horses to sweep Hong Kong’s Triple Crown series.
Trainer Danny Shum was visibly emotional after the race and praised both his stable team and McDonald’s perfectly judged ride.
“I’m such a lucky guy, lucky trainer — because I can train Romantic Warrior,” Shum said.
“Before the race we already set up the plan — let him relax and try to hit the front late. James has done a great job, he’s a top-class jockey.”
Romantic Warrior has now won 24 of his 31 starts, with victories ranging from 1600 metres to 2400 metres at the elite level. Shum indicated the champion would now enjoy a well-earned break before any plans are made for next season.
The trainer is considering sending the gelding to Conghua for a spell, following the successful experience enjoyed there by stablemate Ka Ying Rising.
McDonald, who has partnered the champion through many of his finest international moments, said Sunday’s result merely confirmed what racing followers already believed.
“He’s a Triple Crown winner and he thoroughly deserved it,” McDonald said.
“He didn’t need this race to prove he was already an immortal, but this is the cherry on top. He should be Horse of the Year and I think he stamped that by winning the Triple Crown.”
Away from the feature event, Zac Purton moved to within two victories of the 2,000-win milestone in Hong Kong after riding a treble on Flying Amani, Come Fast Fay Fay and Packing King.
The victories also strengthened Danny Shum’s position in the trainers’ championship standings as the season heads toward its closing stages. Shum now leads the premiership race with 56 wins, narrowly ahead of Caspar Fownes, Mark Newnham and Francis Lui.
Caspar Fownes remained firmly in contention after Monarch County produced a dominant display under Joao Moreira, while David Hayes celebrated success with promising three-year-old My Mars.
Elsewhere on the card, Mighty Strength, Conrad Patch, Big Return, Six Pack and The Red Hare all registered notable victories as another strong Sha Tin programme drew to a close.
Hong Kong racing now shifts to Happy Valley Racecourse for Wednesday night’s meeting on 27 May.
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