By Brian Sheerin
Hong Kong Cup winner Romantic Warrior (Ire) has truly earned his stripes on the international stage after slamming an up-to-scratch field at Sha Tin, according to his co-breeder David Egan of Corduff Stud.
David and his wife Henrietta are no strangers to offering big-ticket horses and enjoyed another Book 1 to remember at Tattersalls this year when selling a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB) and a Sea The Stars (Ire) filly for a combined 1.4 million gns.
Romantic Warrior was knocked down to Mick Kinane on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club for 300,000gns at Book 2 in 2019 and, after Sunday's big-race triumph, was hailed as one of the smartest horses Corduff Stud has ever produced by Egan.
He said, “Today was a big day because Romantic Warrior had already beaten everything he'd faced in Hong Kong but, to beat the international challengers, and beat them comprehensively, proves that he is a very good horse.
“We're very proud of him and it's great for my father, the farm and for Tim Rooney, who bred him. He's the best horse to have come off the farm in a long time. He's a proper one.”
Egan is hopeful that this is just the beginning for Romantic Warrior's dam Folk Melody (Ire) and revealed plans for the 11-year-old who was knocked down to Blandford Bloodstock from Godolphin in 2016 for €82,000.
He said, “The mare is still quite young. We've a nice Showcasing (GB) colt out of her and she is in foal New Bay (GB). The plan is to breed her to Night Of Thunder (Ire) next spring. It's all very exciting.
“He was a lovely, lovely horse [as a yearling]. Jake Warren was underbidder on him. My Dad has a breeding right in Acclamation (GB) and we are massive fans of the stallion but to get 300,000gns for one is a big whack. He really was a beautiful yearling.”
Romantic Warrior was not the only European graduate to star at Sha Tin. Just 40 minutes earlier, California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), bred by Michael Enright and sourced by Jim McCartan for €150,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale in 2019, did what many thought was impossible by lowering the colours of Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro )Aus) in the Hong Kong Mile.
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