Global superstar Romantic Warrior has been retired, bringing the curtain down on one of the most remarkable international racing careers of the modern era.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club confirmed the decision on Wednesday after further veterinary examinations were conducted on the champion’s front leg.
Romantic Warrior retires as a 15-time Group 1 winner, having conquered major races across Hong Kong, Australia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates during a career that established him among the world’s elite thoroughbreds.
“Hong Kong Jockey Club wishes to provide an update on global champion Romantic Warrior for his many fans around the world,” the club said in a statement.
“Romantic Warrior’s connections, in consultation with the Club’s veterinarians, have decided to retire Romantic Warrior from racing following further detailed diagnostic imaging and assessment of his front leg at the Club’s state-of-the-art veterinary hospital.
“Romantic Warrior will spend the next three months at Conghua Racecourse under the continued monitoring of the Club’s veterinarians before being transitioned to his retirement home with the assistance of the Club’s RESTART Racehorse Aftercare Programme, which involves a holistic approach to horse aftercare following the completion of racing careers.
“The Club will arrange a farewell ceremony for Romantic Warrior at a Sha Tin Raceday later this season. Details of the farewell ceremony will be shared as soon as they are available.”
Romantic Warrior leaves racing as the highest prizemoney-earning racehorse of all time, having accumulated HK$288.74 million, equivalent to more than AUD$50 million.
Australian racing fans will remember him most prominently for his unforgettable victory in the 2023 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, where he added his name to the honour roll of one of the country’s greatest races.
His ability to travel and perform at the highest level became a defining feature of his career, with Romantic Warrior securing Group 1 victories in four different racing jurisdictions.
Champion jockey James McDonald forged a particularly successful partnership with Romantic Warrior and was his regular rider for many of his biggest victories.
McDonald has previously described Romantic Warrior as the best horse he has ever ridden, a significant endorsement of a galloper whose achievements extended well beyond Hong Kong racing.
Romantic Warrior will now remain at Conghua Racecourse for three months under veterinary supervision before beginning the next chapter of his life through the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s racehorse aftercare program.
