Romantic Warrior (Acclamation), the winner of 15 Group 1 races in four different countries, has been retired from racing, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) announced on Wednesday. The eight-year-old bows out with world-record earnings of $35,498,508 and having won 24 of his 31 career starts.
“Hong Kong Jockey Club wishes to provide an update on global champion Romantic Warrior for his many fans around the world,” read a statement issued by the HKJC.
“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.”
Trained by Danny Shum for owner Peter Lau, Romantic Warrior made yet more history on what proved to be his swansong at Sha Tin in May, with his victory in the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup seeing him becoming only the third horse ever to complete the Hong Kong Triple Crown after River Verdon (1993/94) and Voyage Bubble (2024/2025).
In total, Romantic Warrior registered 12 of his 15 top-level victories at his beloved Sha Tin, notably winning four consecutive editions of the Hong Kong Cup between 2022 and 2025, as well as four runnings of the FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2026. In 2024, he was crowned Hong Kong Horse of the Year, and holds the current title jointly with sprinter Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress).
The son of Acclamation had gained his first success on foreign soil the previous autumn when travelling to Australia to win the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, while his sole outing in Japan saw him win the Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo in 2024. After winning his third Hong Kong Cup later that year, he then spent the early months of 2025 in the Middle East, with his win in the Jebel Hetta at Meydan being followed by runner-up finishes in the Saudi Cup and Dubai Turf.
Bred by Corduff Stud and TJ Rooney, Romantic Warrior was purchased by the HKJC for 300,000gns at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Described by Shum as “an immortal” after his final triumph in the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup, he also enjoyed a long and successful association with jockey James McDonald, who partnered him in 20 of his 31 starts.
Plans for Romantic Warrior in his retirement were not disclosed by the HKJC, but his many fans will soon have the opportunity to bid him a fond farewell in a ceremony at Sha Tin.
The statement continued, “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.”
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