Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior demonstrated a powerful performance as race favorite to take win year’s Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo Racecourse, extending his Group 1 winning streak to five and gaining his eighth victory overall at this
level.
His G1 resume so far includes three consecutive Queen Elizabeth II Cup victories from 2022 to 2024, back-to-back Hong Kong Cup titles in 2022 and 2023, the Cox Plate in 2023, the Hong Kong Gold Cup and his first G1 victory at a mile in the Yasuda
Kinen.
The son of Acclamation becomes the fourth foreign winner after Heart Lake in 1995, Fairy King
Prawn in 2000 and Bullish Luck in 2006. The Yasuda Kinen victory is the first win in Japan for trainer
Chap Shing Shum and jockey James McDonald.
With the win, Romantic Warrior earned an automatic starting position into the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile through the Breeders’ Cup challenge series.
The race broke off with Dobune taking the leading spot and Win Carnelian pressing the pace on his
outside. Romantic Warrior, breaking from stall seven, was settled comfortably in sixth and two wide.
The multiple G1 champion struggled briefly for room in early stretch but once a clear path opened in
front of him around 300 meters out, the son of Acclamation found his stride, taking command at the
200-meter pole and stormed home with incredible speed, holding off the fast-closing runner-up by a half-length.
“It was a great moment (to win this race),” said owner Pak Fai Lau. “I had been working on finding the right horse to bring here to
race in Japan, so it was really exciting and a happy moment. I have had connections with Japan both in
business and also within the racing circle, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to race here this
time.
“The racing track here is wide and very fair and beautiful. I had heard from my friends in Hong Kong
about the big fan base in Japan, but it was even more than I expected and I feel that they are very
enthusiastic. I understand that the Japanese horses are very strong. Last time in Hong Kong, two Japanese
horses nearly beat us and I’ve seen the Japanese horses racing in Dubai and in Australia so I know that
they are of good quality. After this race, I think the horse should be quite tired. He’s had a big season so
the option (to race in the Takarazuka Kinen) may not be a possibility this time.”
The Takarazuka Kinen (G1), at 2,200 meters or about 11 furlongs, is June 23 at Kyoto Racecourse.
“I have a world-class jockey, James McDonald. He’s the champion jockey at the moment and I have every
confidence in him,” said trainer Chap Shing Shum. He loves Romantic Warrior and Romantic Warrior loves him. He does his best for
him. …
“Romantic Warrior’s best distance is 2,000 meters but in
Hong Kong, the straight is 400 meters where in Tokyo it’s 525 and the hill goes up at 350 meters and
down and flat at 250. So you need a horse that can handle 1,800 meters at Tokyo. After discussing with
the owner, we have decided that the horse should be given a rest so he won’t race anymore this season.”