Romantic Warrior has pulled up well after falling narrowly short of conquering the world’s richest race when a close second to Forever Young in the US$20 million Saudi Cup (1,800m) in the early hours of Sunday morning Hong Kong time.
After sweeping to the lead on the turn, Romantic Warrior appeared set to claim an 11th Group One on his dirt debut, but Japanese dirt star Forever Young rallied to get the better of Danny Shum Chap-shing’s superstar in an epic finish.
“I think he’s well, we have no complaints,” said Shum’s assistant trainer Ben So Tik-hung at Sha Tin on Sunday.
“For his first time on the dirt, he ran a really good race and everything is fine.”
🏆 AN INCREDIBLE RACE!!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 22, 2025
🇯🇵 FOREVER YOUNG DEFEATS ROMANTIC WARRIOR IN THE 2025 SAUDI CUP!!#SaudiCup | @TheSaudiCup | @netkeiba | @JRAVAN_info | @yahagistable | #サウジカップ | #フォーエバーヤング pic.twitter.com/ozM01DS1jU
Fresh from setting a new track record in his Group One Jebel Hatta (1,800m) romp in Dubai last month, Romantic Warrior settled just behind the leaders under James McDonald.
The star Kiwi jockey made his move just before the turn, peeling out five wide on Romantic Warrior before surging past Forever Young to hit the front.
However, Forever Young responded to jockey Ryusei Sakai’s urgings and wore down Romantic Warrior at the 50m to score narrowly.
“We all did our best,” Shum said. “I hope to win every time, but racing is racing. As long as he tries his best and it’s a really good race – I think most of the people enjoyed the race.
James McDonald and Romantic Warrior after their brave second in the Saudi Cup.
“It’s a good run for his first time on the dirt, only beaten by Forever Young. He is a top dirt horse, and he was only beaten by a head – it’s a good run.”
Despite the heartbreaking defeat, McDonald was proud of Romantic Warrior’s fighting performance.
“He was gallant in defeat. We had a great pitch in behind and he got a little bit of kickback, so I thought I’ll get him into clear air and he made ground just beautifully,” the Kiwi said.
“He went through his paces really nicely all the way to the line and I can safely say I wasn’t stopping. I did not alter my stride pace at all.
“Of course, I’m gutted he got beaten tonight but he went down on his sword that’s for sure and made one hell of a race out of it.
Romantic Warrior wins the Jebel Hatta in Dubai.
“He gives his all every time and I’m very proud of him for sure.”
The audacious bid to race Romantic Warrior on dirt for the first time might have come up short, but the son of Acclamation still collected US$3.5 million (about HK$27.36 million) for running second, taking his world record prize money total to a staggering HK$207.04 million.
Shum confirmed Romantic Warrior’s next target will be the Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m) on the Meydan turf in April.
The veteran handler also plans to speak to Japan Racing Association officials to determine whether his stable star can fly to Japan for the Group One Takarazuka Kinen (2,200m) in June.
Less than 15 hours after the Saudi Cup, McDonald was in Hong Kong to boot home Voyage Bubble in the Group One Gold Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin.
He flew out of Saudi Arabia shortly after the Saudi Cup and arrived in Hong Kong in time to guide Ricky Yiu Poon-fai’s Voyage Bubble to an emphatic win by almost four lengths.
