Hong Kong superstars Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising did it again Jan. 25—dominating the day's dual group 1 events while continuing their assaults on the record books.
Romantic Warrior easily won the Stewards' Cup (G1), extending his record as the world's all-time earnings champion and starting an effort to sweep the Hong Kong Triple Crown. Ka Ying Rising, just days earlier named the world's best sprinter in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, made short work of the Centenary Sprint Cup (G1) for a record-equaling 17th straight win.
Both also won over top-level foreign visitors in December on the Hong Kong International Races program and neither was fully extended against outclassed local rivals. Their riders' post-race comments reflected their king-of-the-hill status.
"What can I say? We've said it all with the horse," Zac Purton said of Ka Ying Rising. "Yeah. He's just different class."
James McDonald, who happily jets in from Australia for Romantic Warrior's races, said, "His demeanor, his courage, his will to win, it's just in spades. It's incredible. I say it every time but when he steps out, it's a privilege to ride such a horse of his caliber."
Romantic Warrior missed the early months of Hong Kong's 2025 calendar, instead winning the Jebel Hatta (G1T) in Dubai, then finishing second in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) and Dubai Turf (G1T). He then underwent surgery on his left front leg and was idle for some five months.
In his absence, Voyage Bubble stepped up to become just the second horse to win the local Triple Crown and was seen as Romantic Warrior's main threat in the Stewards' Cup.
In the end, he wasn't a factor. McDonald got Romantic Warrior away cleanly and kept him close to early leader Lucky Sweynesse down the riverside backstretch run. He picked things up around the turn and by the time the field hit the straight, it was clear he had no remaining concerns.
Lucky Sweynesse, a former sprint champion stretching out for the first time to 1,600 meters (about 1 mile), held on smartly for second while Voyage Bubble was all out to salvage third.
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It was the 12th group 1 win for Romantic Warrior. He has posted top-level scores in Japan, Australia, and Dubai while successfully defending the Sha Tin turf on Hong Kong's big international days throughout his career.
Overall, he has won 21 of 28 starts and the Hong Kong Jockey Club reckons the Stewards' Cup earnings pushed his bankroll to HK$247.4 million (about US$31.7 million). The two agonizing seconds in the Middle East are all that stand between Romantic Warrior and a 13-race win skein of his own.
The middle leg of the Triple Crown, the Hong Kong Gold Cup (G1) March 1, will take Romantic Warrior back to his best distance, 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles). And to become the third series winner after Voyage Bubble and River Verdon, he then would have to conquer the Champions & Chater Cup (G1) at 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) May 24.
"He can handle 1,600, 2,000, even 2,400," said trainer Danny Shum. "He can handle any distance. We all know 2,000 is his best trip, so no problem there. I'll just keep him happy, keep him healthy. It's a very easy job for me."
Ka Ying Rising's effort in the Centenary Sprint Cup more or less mirrored Romantic Warrior's in the Stewards' Cup.
Always poised to go, Purton gave him the signal 300 meters out, quickly opened a lead approaching 5 lengths and was tapping the brakes inside the 200-meter mark. Ka Ying Rising has lowered the 1,200-meter (about 6-furlong) course record twice to the current 1:07.20 and, even though he wasn't asked, finished the latest go in 1:07.66.
"It's pretty nice when you look at the big screen and you're a long way in front, I can tell you," Purton said.
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The 17 wins in a row put Ka Ying Rising in a tie with Silent Witness, a local legend who operated in the first decade of the 2000s.
"It's very, very rare what Silent Witness did and what Ka Ying has been able to do so far. And let's hope he can keep going on with it," Purton said. "After Silent Witness, I don't think anyone thought they would ever see it again."
Trainer David Hayes said he's confident the Sha Tin record for 1,400 meters will fall when Ka Ying Rising takes on that distance in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (G1) Feb. 22.
"Last year, he worked a bit and won it and I think he's a stronger, better horse this year," Hayes said. "I think he will handle the 1,400 meters beautifully. I'm really excited for the next race. It's another dimension for him."
If there's any downside to the dominance Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising, it could be that it makes it more difficult for the Hong Kong Jockey Club to attract foreign rivals for their big international races.
