Romantic Warrior on the verge to make history in Saudi to become only active racehorse with G1 wins in five countries

Hong Kong’s reigning horse of the year Romantic Warrior has his eyes set on a historic win in the Group 1 Saudi Cup on Saturday, making it the only active racehorse to win in five different countries.

Romantic Warrior was already the highest prizemoney earner in history before heading to Dubai for the Group 1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan Racecourse earlier in January.

He will be contesting the US$20 million (HK$156 million) G1 Saudi Cup, the richest race in the world, at 1.40am on February 23.

This will also be the first time the seven-year-old races on dirt, and to add to the challenge, he will be racing 13 top dirt track specialists, including Forever Young from Japan. 

If Romantic Warrior successfully claims victory, he will be the only active racehorse to win a Group 1 race in five different racing jurisdictions, and only the fourth horse in history to do so, alongside Falbrav (Ireland), Pilsudski (Ireland) and Dahlia (US).

Owner Peter Lau Pak-fai said: “There are around 200,000 racehorses in the world, which means Hong Kong only takes up less than one percent of the world’s racehorse population, but we were still able to make a superstar.”

“This not only benefits Hong Kong’s racing industry, but also the city itself,” he added. “Romantic Warrior can also promote the SAR’s racing tourism, as I hope he can attract overseas tourists to come see him race and travel.”

Trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing said Romantic Warrior has already adapted to the weather and environment of Saudi Arabia.

“He is in even better condition than racing in the Jebel Hatta in Dubai, and he is more and more relaxed. But whether he can race on dirt? I think we can only have a conclusion after the race,” Shum said.

The globe-trotting racehorse is expected to return to Dubai to race in the G1 Dubai Turf (1,800 meters) on April 5 before wrapping up his Middle East trip.