His place in racing history secured, Romantic Warrior’s globetrotting career now appears set to continue with a return to the Middle East, but trainer Danny Shum Chap-sing said future plans remain firmly in the hands of the horse’s ambitious owner, Peter Lau Pak-fai.
Romantic Warrior became the first horse to win four LONGINES Hong Kong International Races when he demolished a world-class field in Sunday’s Hong Kong Cup, adding another layer to a career that has already taken him across four countries, delivered Group 1 victories in three jurisdictions and produced a runner-up finish in the world’s richest race, the G1 Saudi Cup.
Shum said it was Lau’s vision that had shaped the journey.
“Actually the plan is always made by the owner Peter because Peter has very good vision,” Shum said. “We all trust him. If he says, ‘Danny, go to Saudi,’ I go to Saudi. If he says, ‘Danny, stay in Hong Kong,’ I stay in Hong Kong.
“I trust his wisdom and his determination and his vision is very good. We are a good team — owner, jockey, trainer and stable team.”
A rematch with Saudi Cup winner Forever Young in Febuary looms as a potential next chapter after Romantic Warrior went down narrowly in Riyadh earlier this year, but Shum said his role was simply to prepare the horse and follow Lau’s lead.
Romantic Warrior was already the world’s highest-earning racehorse before Sunday’s emphatic Hong Kong Cup victory, but the win — his 11th at Group 1 level — added another HK$22.4 million to his record-breaking tally, pushing his career earnings beyond HK$240 million.
The eight-year-old has now won elite races in Hong Kong, Australia and Japan, while finishing second in Saudi Arabia, underlining both his durability and his trainer’s careful management.
Despite the accolades, Shum said the bond between horse and stable remained deeply personal.
“He’s such an amazing, kind, lovely horse,” Shum said. “He’s part of my family. I love him.
“My son says I love Romantic Warrior more than him — but to be true, they’re the same.”
