Romantic Warrior Strolls to Victory in Second Leg of Hong Kong Triple Crown

[Wandering Eyes]

Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) barely came out of second gear as he repeated his 2024 success in the HK$13-million Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday, emulating the likes of Viva Pataca (2008 and 2009), Designs On Rome (2015 and 2016) and Golden Sixty (2021 and 2023) as a dual winner of the Group 1 prize.

Trained by Danny Shum, Romantic Warrior is also now just leg away from becoming only the third horse in history to complete the Hong Kong Triple Crown after this effortless win. Racing in third for much of the contest as Beauty Joy (Sebring) took the field along at a solid gallop, he moved up to challenge early in the straight and quickly left his five rivals trailing in his wake under a hands-and-heels ride from James McDonald. The official winning margin was four lengths, with another 1 1/4 lengths separating Ensued (Lemon Drop Kid) and Winning Wing (Preferment) in second and third, respectively.

The final leg of the Triple Crown is the HK$13-million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup, which takes place at Sha Tin on Sunday, May 24. In the meantime, Romantic Warrior will chase the 14th top-level victory of his career in the HK$30-million G1 FWD QEII Cup on Sunday, April 26, a race he has already won on three occasions.

“I think he will now go to the QEII Cup and then to the Champions & Chater before he finishes the season,” said Shum. “Maybe next season we will go to the Saudi Cup – we will keep everything open for now.

“His condition is getting better and better. The 2,000 metres is his best trip. I think he can handle it [2,400 metres in the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup], but I don't know if any overseas horses will come.”

The only Triple Crown winners in Hong Kong racing history are River Verdon (Be My Native) in 1993/94 and Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) last season. On Sunday, Voyage Bubble could manage only fifth when trying to defend his Hong Kong Gold Cup crown.

Whilst McDonald partnered Voyage Bubble to each of his Triple Crown wins in 2025, the New Zealand-born jockey has chosen to continue his remarkable association with the record-breaking Romantic Warrior this time round.

McDonald said, “He's just beautifully prepared. Danny's just done a marvellous job and, each and every time I hop on him, I just cherish the moment. I feel so special every time and you look between his ears and he's just so alert.”

Pedigree Notes

Romantic Warrior is the best runner from the much-missed sire Acclamation. The son of Royal Applause sired 68 stakes winners, including 32 in Group/Graded company and seven at Group/Grade 1 level. The winner's dam won once at two in England and has five winners from five to race, including the stakes-placed End Of Romance (Showcasing). Her latest foals are Le Samourai (New Bay), an unraced three-year-old, and a yearling filly by Havana Grey. Second dam Folk Opera claimed the GI E. P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine, as well as the G2 Prix Jean Romanet.

 

One step closer to the triple crown!

ROMANTIC WARRIOR wins the Hong Kong Gold Cup again under @mcacajamez…#HKRacing @HKJC_Racing pic.twitter.com/P7CyBYCdwz

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 1, 2026

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