All-Time Earnings Leader Romantic Warrior Retired

Peter Lau Pak Fai's Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior (IRE), who won 15 times at the highest level, has been retired because of a leg injury. Trained by Danny Shum, the 8-year-old won 24 of his 31 races and amassed more than $35.4 million in prize money, making him the highest-earning Thoroughbred in history. His first top-level stakes victory came in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) in April 2022 at Sha Tin Racecourse. Romantic Warrior won the QEII Cup a further three times, and also triumphed on his second visit outside of Hong Kong when landing the Cox Plate (G1) in October 2023 at Moonee Valley Racecourse. A four-time winner of the Hong Kong Cup between 2022 and 2025, the Acclamation gelding also won at group 1 level in Dubai, and finished second in both last year's Saudi Cup (G1) and Dubai Turf (G1T). He showed his versatility in the Saudi Cup, transferring his brilliant turf form to dirt and nearly defeating Japanese superstar Forever Young (JPN). He surged past him but was ultimately worn down and lost by a neck. There was a gap of 10 1/2 lengths back to Ushba Tesoro (JPN) in third. Romantic Warrior won all four of his starts this year, and his final appearance came when he was successful in the Champions & Chater Cup (G1) in May at Sha Tin. The star underwent a physical examination last month that revealed a change in a joint that required further examination. A statement by the Hong Kong Jockey Club said: "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 race day later this season. Details of the farewell ceremony will be shared as soon as they are available." His regular rider, James McDonald, said in a video on Instagram: "Peter Lau, his owner, has kindly given us the opportunity to look after him here in Australia and to see out his life. We can't wait to have him. It's the least we can give back to what he's given us. "Every time I rode him I cherished it like it was my last ride on him and now he's coming down and we can enjoy him without the pressure—we can enjoy his company." Romantic Warrior was tied for fourth in the latest Longines World's Best Racehorse rankings that were issued last month, trailing only Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (131), Ombudsman (IRE) (131), and Bow Echo (IRE) (127). Bow Echo, like Romantic Warrior, is another recent retirement.