Romantic Warrior returned as what he truly is: a living legend of Hong Kong racing

After recovering from surgery, the champion proved far too strong in the BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (G2), while Argentine runner La City Blanche finished last

Romantic Warrior and his effortless triumph at Sha Tin / HKJC

SHA TIN, Hong Kong (Special for Turf Diario) – Global racing once again bowed this Sunday to Romantic Warrior (Acclamation), who returned after 232 days as if nothing had happened, as if the surgery on his near fore left only a parenthesis in time, as if the calendar itself had no effect on a horse who now operates on his own plane. With the trademark composure of James McDonald and the masterful handling of Danny Shum, Hong Kong’s icon captured the BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (G2, 2000m) for the third time and made it clear his reign remains firmly intact.

Sent off at 1.40 and jumping with his usual authority from gate 2, Romantic Warrior traveled in fourth, tracking Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) and Sword Point (American Pharoah), with Straight Arron (Fastnet Rock) rounding out the core group. Turning for home, McDonald merely angled him off heels—and the champion did the rest: a devastating turn of foot that explains why he is now considered not only an ambassador of Hong Kong racing, but also one of the greatest middle-distance performers of the past decade. The verdict was 1 1/2 lengths, and it came almost in slow motion, as his rider never went fully to the bottom.

The clock stopped in 2:03.72 for the 2000 meters, but even more striking was his final sectional of :21.73, faster than the last split posted by Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) when winning the Jockey Club Sprint (G2) earlier on the card. The figures were impressive; the visual dominance even more so.

An emotional McDonald summed it up simply:

“He’s so special he leaves me speechless. It’s a privilege to ride him. Every time he goes to the track, you just smile without even thinking. He’s a horse that touches your soul.”

Shum, meanwhile, was quick to highlight the collective effort behind the comeback, crediting his assistant team, track rider, veterinarian Lawrence Chan, and Hugh Bowman, who played a key role in his daily preparation.

“Bringing a horse back to win a 2000-meter G2 after such a long layoff is not easy. But he’s a genius. Today he was only at about 85 percent; after this he’ll tighten up and gain another 10 or 12 kilos,” said Shum.

November 23, 2024 now stands as another landmark in the extraordinary career of the son of Acclamation, which pushed his world record earnings to HK$217.7 million (approximately US$27.9 million)—a figure that seems destined to keep rising.

All eyes now turn to Dec. 14, when Romantic Warrior will attempt what no horse has ever achieved before: a fourth consecutive victory in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (G1, 2000m), the crown jewel of the International Races. Should he succeed—and there is little at present to suggest otherwise—his name will be etched forever at the pinnacle of Asian turf history.

One thing is certain: Romantic Warrior didn’t just return.He returned to keep making history.