Romantic Warrior, the farewell of a giant who made history around the globe

Winner of 15 G1 events across four countries and holder of the world earnings record with more than $35 million, the extraordinary son of Acclamation was retired at age 8; he won 24 of his 31 career starts and bowed out by capturing the Hong Kong Triple Crown

One of the most extraordinary careers in recent global racing history has come to an end. Romantic Warrior, the horse that carried the flag of Hong Kong racing to unprecedented heights, has been officially retired from the track at age 8, leaving behind statistics that seem nearly impossible to replicate and a collection of feats spread across the globe.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) announced the decision this Wednesday, made by his connections in conjunction with club veterinarians following new studies and evaluations on one of his forelegs.

The son of Acclamation bows out with 24 victories in 31 starts, 15 of them G1 contests across four countries, and career earnings of $35,498,508, a world record figure.

Trained by Danny Shum for owner Peter Lau, Romantic Warrior had made history once again in May in what is now known to be his final appearance. His victory in the Champions & Chater Cup (G1) at Sha Tin allowed him to complete the Hong Kong Triple Crown, becoming only the third horse to achieve the feat, after River Verdon (Be My Native) in 1993/94 and Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) in 2024/25.

“An immortal,” Shum defined him at the time. The passage of time will likely grant even greater weight to those words.

Romantic Warrior built much of his legend at Sha Tin, where he secured 12 of his 15 top-flight victories. There, he set exceptional marks, including four consecutive Hong Kong Cup (G1) victories between 2022 and 2025, as well as four triumphs in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2026.

However, limiting his greatness to Hong Kong would tell only part of the story.

In 2023, he traveled to Australia and captured the Cox Plate (G1) at Moonee Valley, passing one of the most significant tests of his campaign. In 2024 came another journey and another memorable performance, this time in Japan, where he took the Yasuda Kinen (G1) at Tokyo.

His ability to travel was demonstrated once again during the early months of 2025. At Meydan, he won the Jebel Hatta (G1) and later finished second in two of the richest and most demanding events on the international calendar: the Saudi Cup (G1) on dirt and the Dubai Turf (G1).

In 2024, he was crowned Hong Kong Horse of the Year, an inevitable honor for a horse that ultimately far transcended the borders of that jurisdiction.

Bred by Corduff Stud and TJ Rooney, Romantic Warrior was purchased by the HKJC for 300,000 guineas during Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. That price tag proved to be a bargain compared to everything he produced afterward.

A key part of his story was tied to James McDonald, who guided him in 20 of his 31 starts and was his partner in most of his major international conquests.

Concerns regarding his future had grown in recent days after veterinary examinations detected changes in one of his joints. New imaging and evaluations of his foreleg ultimately led his owner, trainer, and veterinarians to decide that there was no reason to take any risks.

Romantic Warrior will remain at Conghua Racecourse for the next three months under veterinary supervision before being transferred to his retirement location through the HKJC’s RESTART retired horse care program.

Before that, there will be time for one final ovation.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club confirmed that it will organize a farewell ceremony at Sha Tin during the current season. There, at the venue where he was so often invincible, the public will be able to say goodbye to a truly unique horse.

Romantic Warrior will not race again. Nor does he need to.

His 24 wins, his 15 G1 titles, his conquests in Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, and Dubai, his Triple Crown, and his world earnings record are more than enough to explain why he retires not just as a champion, but as one of the all-time greats of his era.