It is rare that a horse's reputation is enhanced in defeat, let alone for a champion like Romantic Warrior, but Hong Kong's hero took his already unique legacy to a new level with a heartbreaking second in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Romantic Warrior already had a career record unlike any horse in history including top-class Group 1 wins in four countries over a range of distances and he is the leading prize money earner in history. When the Saudi check clears he will have banked more than HK$200 million.
Many doubted the decision of owner Peter Lau Pak-fai and trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing to switch to dirt for the first time but Romantic Warrior didn't just handle the foreign surface, he went agonizingly close to beating one of the best dirt horses in the world, Forever Young.
Despite Romantic Warrior's remarkable consistency, durability and unparalleled versatility, he has been perpetually underrated in the sport's official rankings, the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings.
We have discussed in this space previously how the WBRR format, which judges horses based on a single peak performance during each calendar year, not a more complete record across 12 months, works against a horse like Romantic Warrior.
This latest performance could lift Romantic Warrior to a new high. It seems likely that the race, in which third-placed Ushba Tesoro trailed the first two home by more than 10 lengths, will deliver Romantic Warrior a peak career rating when the next 2025 WBRR update is released next month.
Should Romantic Warrior have won in Riyadh? James McDonald's ride on Romantic Warrior has been debated by armchair experts and keyboard warriors the world over. Did 'J-Mac' unleash Romantic Warrior's sprint too early? Did he travel too wide on the bend, failing to save ground that could have changed the result? Should he have crossed to the rail after he passed Forever Young? There was even the absurd idea floated that McDonald's glance to the infield big screen was unnecessary showboating that cost him rhythm and, ultimately, the race.
Most of the debate on social media has been attention-seeking hyperbole and little of it constructive or well-informed. That doesn't mean an exceptional talent like McDonald wouldn't wish to have the ride over again, or that it was perfect.
But for those who want to blame McDonald for the defeat the question could be posed: do you think Romantic Warrior, ridden however you would wish, would be likely to beat Forever Young if the horses were to meet again on dirt in the Dubai World Cup on April 5?
In boxing parlance, when McDonald and Romantic Warrior surged past Forever Young at the top of the straight it was like a wild haymaker that landed right on the latter's chin. Forever Young took Romantic Warrior's best shot, got to his feet and won by knockout with a counterpunching display that will be remembered as one of the most courageous comebacks of all time.
Shum has said there will be no rematch in Dubai. Romantic Warrior will return to Meydan's 1,800 meters turf course, where he set a course record last month, for the Dubai Turf on April 5.
The other great debate around Romantic Warrior that will continue long after his career has finished is whether or not he has surpassed his former rival Golden Sixty as the greatest horse in Hong Kong racing history.
Like Michael Jordan versus LeBron James, or Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic in tennis, the Hong Kong racing "GOAT" (greatest of all time) arguments will be hotly contested when it comes to Golden Sixty and Romantic Warrior. Golden Sixty had two head-to-head victories over his rival, one at Romantic Warrior's pet distance of 2,000m, but those arguing Romantic Warrior's case will point to the fact Golden Sixty never left Hong Kong, let alone won three times overseas.
Now a two-horse war that will be replayed for years to come becomes part of Romantic Warrior's incredible resume. Far from being a negative, the brave defeat might just have been the race that tipped the GOAT debate in his favor.
Romantic Warrior didn't just handle the dirt, he went agonizingly close to beating one of the best dirt horses in the world, Forever Young.
ALEX EVERS
