Romantic Warrior Sweeps Hong Kong Triple Crown

Romantic Warrior (IRE) conquered one his few remaining challenges May 24 at Sha Tin Racecourse, seeing out the 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) of the Champions and Chater Cup (G1) to become only the third claimant of the Hong Kong Triple Crown. The 8-year-old holds the all-time world earnings record. He has won group/grade 1 races around the world. He has repeatedly defended Hong Kong turf against some of the globe's top runners. He had not, however, successfully completed 2,400 meters—the test that completes a Triple Crown that covers first 1,600 meters (about 1 mile), then 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) before the final marathon. He ticked that box professionally under jockey James McDonald in the Champions and Chater. After racing fourth much of the way, Romantic Warrior started to close ranks as the field turned away from the riverside backstretch run and into the stretch turn. Numbers (NZ) and Japanese raider Deep Monster (JPN) were the targets with Numbers in front at the 100-meter mark. Romantic Warrior caught him with 50 meters to go and won by a half-length with Deep Monster third. "Before the race, we already set up the plan," said trainer Danny Shum. "Put him to sleep, let him relax, and try to hit the front. … James has done a great job. He's a top-class jockey." Although Romantic Warrior is only the third Triple Crown winner, he's the second in as many years. While he was campaigning in Dubai and Saudi Arabia in early 2025, Voyage Bubble (AUS) stepped into his spot in Hong Kong to complete the sweep for the first time since River Verdon (IRE) turned the trick in 1994. Despite his accomplishment, Romantic Warrior is no shoo-in for Hong Kong Horse of the Year honors. Also in that conversation is sprinter Ka Ying Rising (NZ), who tops the Longines World's Best Racehorse Ratings. His perfect 2025-26 season, including a dominating victory in the AU$20 million (about US$14.26 million) The Everest (G1) at Randwick, saw him extend his win streak to 20. McDonald quickly stated his mount's case for the honor. "He didn't need to win this to be that. I think this is the cherry on top," the Australian said. "He should be Horse of the Year this year and I think he stamped that by winning the Triple Crown." Romantic Warrior earned a Triple Crown bonus of HK$10 million (about US$1.27 million) for owner Peter Lau. The Hong Kong Jockey Club calculates his career earnings at HK$288.7 million, which translates to about US$36.85 million. The jackpot earnings reflect the success of the HKJC's unique acquisition scheme. The Club selects young horses at the cream of the world's sales, then auctions them to its member-owners at a gala ceremony. Romantic Warrior, by Acclamation (GB), was acquired for 300,000 guineas (US$396,948) at the 2019 Tattersalls Yearling Sale. Lau bid to HK$4.8 million to land him at the Club sale. The return on his investment may not yet be complete as Shum said no decision has been made about Romantic Warrior's future. In the interim, the veteran may get a spell of rest and relaxation at the HKJC's Conghua Racecourse on the Chinese Mainland, a virtual equine spa set among mountains and meadows some four hours' drive north of Hong Kong, where Ka Ying Rising already is basking in the glow of his own undefeated season. "The plan is to give him a break," Shum said. "I will think about whether to send him to Conghua, same as Ka Ying Rising. Ka Ying Rising is very happy (there). So, I might send him to Conghua, give him a little break, and then see how he goes." Should he remain in training, Romantic Warrior's next logical target would be the Hong Kong Cup (G1) on International Day in December, a race he's won four years running. His top-level victories outside Hong Kong include the Jebel Hatta (G1T) in Dubai, the Yasuda Kinen (G1T) in Japan, and the Cox Plate (G1) in Australia. Perhaps his most memorable effort came in the $20 million 2025 Saudi Cup (G1) on the King Abdulaziz Racecourse dirt—a dramatic duel to the finish with Forever Young (JPN) that fell a neck short of victory.