Romantic Warrior rolls to second straight Hong Kong Gold Cup

Romantic Warrior won the Grade 1, HK$13 million Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) for the second time at Sha Tin on Sunday, defeating five rivals by four lengths to extend his record to 13 Group 1 victories – the most by a Hong Kong-trained horse.

Trained by Danny Shum and ridden by James McDonald, the Acclamation gelding broke smoothly from barrier four and settled third as Beauty Joy set the pace. Turning for home, McDonald guided Romantic Warrior to the outside, and the 8-year-old pulled clear with ease. The victory followed the pair's success in the 2024 edition.

John Size-trained Ensued held on for second. Winning Wing, trained by Francis Lui and ridden by Dylan Mo, closed for third. All runners carried 126 pounds.

"He's just beautifully prepared," McDonald said. "Danny's just done a marvellous job, and each and every time I hop on him, I just cherish the moment. I feel so special every time and you look between his ears and he's just so alert."

The Gold Cup was the second leg of Hong Kong's Triple Crown for Romantic Warrior, who won the HK$13 million Stewards' Cup (G1) over 1600m on his previous start. The final leg, the HK$13 million Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (G1) over 2400m, is scheduled for May 24. A successful sweep would earn a HK$10 million bonus.

Shum said the gelding's condition continues to improve.

"It's a small field, and he's very fit, actually," Shum said. "His condition is getting better and better. The 2000 metres is his best trip. I think he can handle it (2400m), but I don't know if any overseas horses will come (in May), but I think they have a lot of potential."

Romantic Warrior holds world-record earnings of HK$254.66 million. A 2021 Hong Kong International Sale graduate purchased for HK$4.8 million by owner Peter Lau, the gelding clocked 1:59.77 and covered the final 400m in 22.52 seconds. He has also won Group 1 races in Australia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.

Shum, 65, indicated Romantic Warrior will target a fourth FWD QEII Cup (G1) on FWD Champions Day on April 26 before the Triple Crown's final leg. The 8-year-old won the HK$30 million race over 2000m from 2022 through 2024.

Beyond this season, Shum did not rule out a return to Saudi Arabia, where Romantic Warrior finished second to Forever Young in the Saudi Cup (G1) over 1800m on dirt in 2025.

"I think he will now go to the QEII Cup and then to the Champions & Chater before he finishes the season," Shum said. "Maybe next season we will go to the Saudi Cup – we will keep everything open for now."

The victory puts Romantic Warrior alongside Viva Pataca (2008 and 2009), Military Attack (2013 and 2014), Designs On Rome (2015 and 2016), Time Warp (2018 and 2020) and Golden Sixty (2021 and 2023) as two-time Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup winners since the turn of the century.

Foaled on March 18, 2018, at Corduff Stud in County Kildare, Ireland, Romantic Warrior finished second in the 2023 Champions & Chater Cup behind Russian Emperor. The only Triple Crown winners in Hong Kong racing history are River Verdon (1993-94) and Voyage Bubble last season.

Hugh Bowman, who rode fourth-place finisher My Wish, praised his mount's effort.

"I thought he was courageous," Bowman said. "I thought it was a proper test of stamina and speed. The stamina found him out, but the speed was there."

Jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle was pleased with Ensued's runner-up finish.

"Super run," Browne McMonagle said. "A good strong gallop suited him good. He stays very well and he was good and tough, so second is a great result."

Mo said the result was a positive step for Winning Wing.

"It was a good run for this race because it's a Group 1," Mo said.

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