Romantic Warrior, the highest-earning racehorse of all time, has been retired.
The brilliant Acclamation gelding, a graduate of the Hong Kong International Sale, raced in owner Peter Lau’s turquoise and white silks, amassing world record prizemoney of HK$288.74 million (approx. US$36.83 million) across one of racing’s finest careers.
Meticulously campaigned by trainer Danny Shum, Romantic Warrior is the only Hong Kong-trained horse to win in four separate jurisdictions, capturing the 2023 G1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) in Australia, 2024 G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) in Japan and 2025 G1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) in Dubai, as well as dominating in Hong Kong.
Sold to Lau for HK$4.8 million in 2021, Romantic Warrior – hailed as Hong Kong racing’s ‘Global Champion’ – won 24 races from 31 starts, claiming a Hong Kong record 15 Group 1s across Hong Kong, Australia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates. His accolades include Horse of the Year (2023/24 & 2025/26 [shared with Ka Ying Rising]), Champion Middle-Distance Horse (2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 & 2025/26), Champion Miler (2025/26) and Champion Stayer (2025/26).
In addition, he was also crowned Champion Four-Year-Old (2021/22), Most Improved Horse (2021/22) and Most Popular Horse (2023/24 & 2024/25), while his final season culminated in him becoming only the third Triple Crown winner in Hong Kong racing history, following River Verdon (1993/94) and Voyage Bubble (2024/25).
In addition to his overseas successes, Romantic Warrior finished second in the 2025 G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) behind Forever Young – his only start on the surface – and the 2025 G1 Dubai Turf (1800m), closing out a pioneering three-race campaign in the Middle East across late 2024 and early 2025.
After being found to have sustained an injury to his left fore fetlock following his return to Hong Kong, Romantic Warrior was off the track for seven months, but began his 2025/26 campaign with a third victory in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m), before reeling off five straight Group 1 scores, an historic Triple Crown win and shared Horse of the Year honours.
Shum said: “Romantic Warrior is very special to me. I have been very lucky to have him – and I think he’s been very lucky to have me and Peter (Lau) and James (McDonald), too.
“There are so many highlights to look back on but, for me, the BMW Hong Kong Derby and the W.S. Cox Plate were incredible achievements. The Cox Plate was very special for me because we were taking on the Hayes team (with Mr Brightside) and I wasn’t sure if he won.
“We had to wait to find out that he was the winner and that was amazing to enjoy that win – Romantic Warrior is the horse of a lifetime. A dream horse. Now that he has retired, he can maybe have a second career in dressage like Golden Sixty. That would be great.”
Shum thanked The Hong Kong Jockey Club for its veterinary care and advice and also expressed his gratitude to his staff.
“I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart Gary Lau, the work rider, and Chan Chun Yin, the mafoo. They have done a great job. I really, really appreciate what they did,” Shum said.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club will host a retirement ceremony for Romantic Warrior in due course at Sha Tin.
James McDonald, who partnered Romantic Warrior to 14 of his 15 Group 1 wins, referenced Australian champion Winx in his tribute to Romantic Warrior.
“Romantic Warrior is my Winx, that is for sure. He is the best I have ever ridden. He was incredible, so special for what he achieved on the track,” McDonald said. “I had 20 rides on the horse and won 17 races – but it should have been 19!
“We won’t see the likes of him again, not in my lifetime. He was the most intelligent, toughest and most talented racehorse I’ve come across. When all is said and done, at the end of the day he captured the imagination of all Hong Kong racing fans. He will always be Hong Kong’s champion.”
McDonald said he hoped Romantic Warrior would be sent to Australia where the jockey will take care of the champion for the rest of his life.
“I will find a home for him, hopefully close to Sydney, and I will make sure he gets the best care for the rest of his life,” McDonald said.
Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “Romantic Warrior’s achievements extend far beyond the racecourse. He has become a global sporting icon whose performances have showcased Hong Kong racing to audiences around the world and reinforced Hong Kong’s position as one of the leading racing jurisdictions internationally. Through his victories at home and abroad, he demonstrated the quality, competitiveness and ambition that define Hong Kong racing at its very best.
“Whether competing in Hong Kong, Dubai, Japan or Australia, he attracted worldwide attention and admiration, serving as an outstanding ambassador for our sport and for Hong Kong. His achievements have inspired racing fans globally and strengthened the international profile and relevance of Hong Kong racing.
“I would like to express my deepest appreciation to owner Peter Lau, trainer Danny Shum, jockey James McDonald and the entire team whose dedication, professionalism and commitment made this remarkable journey possible. Danny’s masterful management of a world-class athlete over many seasons and James’ outstanding horsemanship in some of racing’s biggest contests created one of the most celebrated partnerships in modern racing. Together, they set new standards of excellence and contributed significantly to elevating Hong Kong racing on the global stage.
“Romantic Warrior’s legacy will endure long after his racing career concludes. He has written one of the most extraordinary chapters in the history of international racing and leaves behind an inspiration for future generations of owners, trainers, jockeys and fans. We thank him for the pride, joy and unforgettable memories he has brought to Hong Kong and to the worldwide racing community.”
Romantic Warrior won his first five starts, including three over 1200m, capping his first season with victory in the 2022 Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) under Karis Teetan before the pair secured the 2022 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m).
Romantic Warrior then evolved into one of the greatest middle-distance horses Hong Kong racing has ever produced, winning the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) an unprecedented four times spanning 2022-2025. He also captured the G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) on four occasions in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2026 – also a record.
Mr Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “Romantic Warrior departs from racing as one of the sport’s most incredible champions – not just in Hong Kong, but globally. His performances at home and abroad have been the stuff of racing folklore – memories that all of us will cherish for a lifetime.
“I would like to congratulate the team behind Romantic Warrior, and I wish him the very best in a richly deserved retirement.”
Romantic Warrior’s Triple Crown comprised successes in the 2026 G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), 2026 G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) before he conquered the stamina-testing 2026 G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m). He also claimed the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup in 2024.
Foaled on 18 March, 2018 at Corduff Stud in Ireland, Romantic Warrior was purchased by The Hong Kong Jockey Club for 300,000gns at the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale before Lau’s acquisition at the Hong Kong International Sale.
Bowing out from racing as an eight-year-old, the bay reached a career-high rating of 127 in the 2025 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings.