Danny Shum’s eight-year-old
Romantic Warrior: won 24 of his 31 races in his careerCredit: Alex Evers (Hong Kong Jockey Club)
Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior, who won 15 times at the highest level, has been retired due to a leg injury.
Trained by Danny Shum, the eight-year-old won 25 of his 33 races and amassed more than £28 million in prize-money. His first Group 1 triumph came in the QEII Cup at Sha Tin in April 2022.
Romantic Warrior won the QEII Cup a further three times, and also triumphed on his second visit outside of Hong Kong when landing the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in October 2023.
A four-time winner of the Hong Kong Cup between 2021-25, the Acclamation gelding also won at Group 1 level in Dubai, and finished second in both last year’s Saudi Cup and Dubai Turf.
Romantic Warrior won all four of his starts this year, and his final appearance came when successful in the Champions & Chater Cup at Sha Tin in May.
A statement by the Hong Kong Jockey Club said: “Romantic Warrior’s connections, in consultation with the club’s veterinarians, have decided to retire Romantic Warrior from racing following further detailed diagnostic imaging and assessment of his front leg at the club’s state-of-the-art veterinary hospital.
“Romantic Warrior will spend the next three months at Conghua Racecourse under the continued monitoring of the club’s veterinarians before being transitioned to his retirement home with the assistance of the club’s Restart Racehorse Aftercare Programme, which involves a holistic approach to horse aftercare following the completion of racing careers.
“The club will arrange a farewell ceremony for Romantic Warrior at a Sha Tin raceday later this season. Details of the farewell ceremony will be shared as soon as they are available.”
