Romantic Warrior’s audacious Middle Eastern mission is off to the perfect start, with the remarkable galloper adding a 10th Group One to his glittering CV with victory in Friday night’s Jebel Hatta (1,800m) in Dubai.

Already the highest-earning racehorse of all time, Romantic Warrior lowered the Meydan 1,800m track record on his way to landing Hong Kong its first victory in the HK$3.92 million Jebel Hatta.

“He’s one of the best in the world, there’s no doubt,” said jubilant trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing of Romantic Warrior, who will now turn his attention to the Group One Saudi Cup (1,800m) on the dirt.

“He’s got a good turn of foot, he listens to what the jockey wants him to do and he can kick.”

Quickly away under James McDonald, hot favourite Romantic Warrior settled third on the fence as second elect Measured Time, who won the race last year, set searing fractions to open up an enormous lead.

McDonald got going on Romantic Warrior turning for home and despite trailing by as much as 10 lengths entering the home straight, Hong Kong’s reigning Horse of the Year exploded to claim Measured Time 130m from home and salute by four and a half lengths from Poker Face.

The Charlie Appleby-trained, Godolphin-owned Measured Time tragically suffered fatal injuries just before the line, however jockey William Buick walked away from the fall.

“I was not worried because I trust James. He’s a world-class jockey so he knew the pace. I was 100 per cent not worried,” said a beaming Shum of the task facing Romantic Warrior.

McDonald, who finished his first night riding at Meydan with a treble, was ecstatic after snaring elite-level success aboard Romantic Warrior in a fourth country.

“I was a little bit worried before the race with the gap between runs. He was fresh in the parade ring and then he managed to get his cool going to the start, so that was pleasant to see,” said the New Zealander.

“As soon as I turned for home, I could see the leader in the race so far in front but [Romantic Warrior] was picking up so beautifully and he did the rest.

“I was just delighted with him. He jumps fast, he travels well and I never felt in doubt at all.

“He adapts to anything. You could put him on a saucepan and he would run well – any pace, any distance would suit him fine.”

McDonald got his eye in beautifully early on the undercard, taking out the Group Two Al Fahidi Fort (1,400m) aboard Marbaan for Australian trainer Michael Costa in another track-record-breaking performance.

He also snared the finale for Costa, spearing Keffaaf to victory in the Group Three Al Khail Trophy (2,810m)

Elsewhere on the night, reigning Group One Dubai World Cup (2,000m) hero Laurel River, who was recently anointed the world’s joint-best horse, was nabbed late by King Gold after rattling along in front in the Group Three Firebreak Stakes (1,600m), while Walk Of Stars snared the Group One Al Maktoum Challenge (1,900m).