The Saudi Cup (G1) was supposed to be a one-shot experiment on dirt for Romantic Warrior but after his narrow loss to Forever Young in that race Feb. 22, his connections are having second thoughts.
The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia on March 3 reported trainer Danny Shum was so impressed with the race itself and Romantic Warrior's effort that a return in 2026, and a possible rematch with the younger Japanese runner, is no longer off the table.
For that matter, Shum said, neither is a return to Japan, where Romantic Warrior won the Yasuda Kinen (G1) in June 2024.
Previously, Shum was fairly firm in committing to a permanent return to Romantic Warrior's home base at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong after a swing at the Dubai Turf (G1) April 5. That commitment appears to be wavering.
"It depends," the JCSA quoted Shum about a return to King Abdulaziz Racecourse. "Next year Romantic Warrior will be 8 years old, and Forever Young a 5-year-old so it will be more difficult. But I am not saying, 'No'. I am open to the possibility."
There is, of course, no guarantee Forever Young will remain in training for a 5-year-old season.
Romantic Warrior appeared to have this year's $20 million Saudi Cup in the bag with a bold move early in the stretch run only to have Forever Young rally to victory in the final strides.
"It was a great run and for the next 10 years they will be talking about what a great race the Saudi Cup was," said Shum.
"We will take in the group 2 in November and then the Hong Kong Cup and see then if he takes the same plane and goes to Dubai with the same plan. We will know more after the Hong Kong runs."
The reference was to the Jockey Club Cup (G2), the local prep for the Hong Kong Cup (G1) in December, which Romantic Warrior has won three years in a row.
The Acclamation (GB) gelding also won the Cox Plate (G1) in Australia in 2024 and the Jebel Hatta (G1) in Dubai earlier in 2025.
Shum said an encore in the June 8 Yasuda Kinen after the Dubai Turf will depend on rules, regulations, and transportation.
"I am still talking to the Japanese Racing Authority and the Hong Kong agricultural department about the possibility of going to Japan, but it will depend on quarantine," Shum added.
"I'd like to maybe go there but, if not, we will go back to Hong Kong for the group 2 and then the Hong Kong Cup."
