Romantic Warrior’s Season Probably Over After Dubai Turf

According to trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing, Romantic Warrior’s season will likely conclude after competing in the Group One Dubai Turf on April 5th.

Horse racing wagering sites see him as one of the leading contenders for the race, especially following his recent dominant performances, including a track-record victory in the Group One Jebel Hatta at Meydan Racecourse. On the sportsbooks selected by Gavin Beech, you can place bets on future races. 

Despite the change in quarantine protocols between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, Shum and owner Peter Lau Pak-fai have opted to forgo any additional races beyond Dubai this season. 

Shum Chap-shing stated that he’s not 100% sure but can confidently say that the plan is for their champion to quarantine in Dubai, return to Hong Kong, and stop racing until next season.

He added that they believe that going straight to Japan after a few months in Dubai and Saudi would be too much for Romantic Warrior. They prefer to give their champion a break and wait for the next season.

Romantic Warrior won the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) in December 2024 and the Group One Jebel Hatta (1,800m) in January before coming second in Group One Saudi Cup (1,800m) in February. Before taking a break, Shum Chap-shing and his team will chase a third elite-level success at the Dubai World Cup.

With his victory in the Hong Kong Cup, Romantic Warrior made history, becoming the first horse to win the cup three times in a row. He clocked 2:00.51, well off his record of 1:59.70 from 2022.

After the Hong Kong Cup victory, jockey James McDonald called Romantic Warrior the perfect horse and said that anyone could ride him but that he’s the lucky one who gets to be in the saddle.

In January, Romantic Warrior traveled to Dubai for the Group One Jebel Hatta at Meydan Racecourse. There, he confirmed his status as the number one racehorse in the world by winning in track record time, finishing in 1:45.10.

Before the race, Shum Chap-shing said that Romantic Warrior was only 80-90% fit with the February Saudi Cup. While he eventually won, the race was overshadowed by Measured Time suffering a fatal injury and breaking down just before the line.

Following the race, McDonald once again called Romantic Warrior a “superstar” and said that he can adapt to any circumstance during the race. He called him a strong-minded horse that could be a sprinter.

The victory also marked the horse’s G1 wins in four different countries (Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates)

In the February Saudi Cup worth $20 million, Romantic Warrior secured second place, winning $3.5 million. Although he was close to winning it all, he finished the race just behind Japan’s Forever Young. Romantic Warrior also took over the lead at one point, but Forever Young surged ahead in the final moments and eventually won by a neck.

Romantic Warrior’s appearance on dirt was an experiment after the horse built his world-record bankroll solely on the turf. Lau Pak-fai said that he would return to grass regardless of how the race would end.

Shum Chap-shing praised his performance in the cup and said that the team enjoyed the entire process and gave their all. 

McDonald said that Romantic Warrior consistently delivers at a high level and that the Saudi Cup was no exception.

Romantic Warrior’s next and most likely final race of the season will be the Group One Dubai Turf on April 5th. The cup features a total prize pool of $6 million and will mark the horse’s third appearance in the Middle East.

As trainer Shum Chap-shing stated, the horse will then likely take a break and wait for the next season.

Romantic Warrior holds the world record for Thoroughbred earnings with $26,298,595. Foaled in Ireland in 2018, the horse was purchased by Lau Pak-fai for HK$4.8 million in 2021.

Since his arrival in Hong Kong, Romantic Warrior has compiled an impressive record of 23 starts, boasting 18 wins and 3 second-place finishes.

Romantic Warrior’s sire, Acclamation, is a British-bred stallion known for producing progeny with notable speed and versatility.