The world’s highest-earning racehorse, Romantic Warrior, is aiming for a fourth win in next month’s Group 1 FWD QEII Cup.
There are only a few more exciting horses around the world, especially at eight years old, than Romantic Warrior, who is proving that his advancing years are no obstacle after taking a crucial step towards FWD Champions Day (26 April) on Thursday morning (26 March) at Sha Tin.
The impressions so far
Impressing in his barrier trial over 1200m on the dirt, Danny Shum’s 13-time Group 1 winner appeared to be right on song as he aims to secure a record fourth HK$30 million (approx. £2.9m) G1 FWD QEII Cup (1m2f/2000m) triumph to add to his already phenomenal CV.
Romantic Warrior, who won the FWD QEII Cup in 2022, 2023 and 2024, stepped alertly from the barriers under restraint from Hugh Bowman, crossing the line a hard-held one length ahead of the Group 1-winning Red Lion in 1m 10.70s.
Shum said: “I’m very happy; he’s sound and he’s happy. You can see by his trial, he’s very good, and James (McDonald) just asked me as he passed the winning post, ‘Happy?’, so I sent the video to him.”
Global status
Hong Kong International Sale graduate Romantic Warrior was recently ranked second behind Ka Ying Rising in the March edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings.
He is a 22-time winner, including 15 times under James McDonald, topped by Group 1 wins in Hong Kong, Australia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates, while his career earnings (HK$254.66 million) are a worldwide record.
Bowman said: “He was a little bit on the fresh side but, obviously, he has another month before he races. He feels great and just as powerful as ever.”
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The competition
Group 1 winners Calandagan, Masquerade Ball, Royal Champion, Museum Mile, Sosie, Sir Delius, Danon Decile, Dubai Honour and Urban Chic have entries for the FWD QEII Cup.
It is one of three elite races on FWD Champions Day alongside the HK$24 million (approx. £2.3m) G1 FWD Champions Mile (1 mile/1600m) and the HK$24 million (approx. £2.3m) G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (6f/1200m).
“We might have one more trial on the grass or just gallop around one lap – we’ll see how he responds, how he comes back, how he eats and how he feels. It’ll be a strong field. This will be the strongest QEII Cup, I think, in the last 10 to 15 years,” Shum said.
A season to remember
The evergreen Romantic Warrior has four wins from four starts this season, headlined by a record-extending fourth successive HK$40 million (approx. £3.8m) G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.
In addition to the first two legs of the Triple Crown: the HK$13 million (approx. £1.2m) G1 Stewards’ Cup and the HK$13 million (approx. £1.2m) G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup.
The Triple Crown – won only by River Verdon (1993/94) and Voyage Bubble (2024/25) – climaxes with the HK$13 million (approx. £1.2m) G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup on 24 May and carries a HK$10 million bonus for connections.
Hong Kong racing returns at Sha Tin on Sunday with an 11-race card.
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