Hong Kong Champion Racehorse Romantic Warrior Retires After Leg Injury
HK01 · 5 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
World-class champion Romantic Warrior has been officially retired following detailed diagnostic imaging of his front legs at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Equine Hospital. The eight-year-old gelding, trained by Caspar Fownes, will remain at the Conghua Training Centre for three months under veterinary supervision before transitioning to post-racing care. A farewell ceremony will be held at a Sha Tin race meeting later this season .
Key Points
- Romantic Warrior underwent detailed diagnostic imaging on his front legs at the world-class HKJC Equine Hospital before the retirement decision
- The owner and trainer discussed with the HKJC veterinary team before deciding on retirement for the eight-year-old champion
- The gelding will stay at Conghua for three months for close monitoring before moving to his post-racing home under the Retired Racehorse Welfare Plan
- Last season, Romantic Warrior became the third Triple Crown winner in Hong Kong history, joining Riverside (1993/94) and Bubble Chic (2024/25)
- He made history by winning both the Hong Kong Cup and Queen's Cup at 2000 metres for an unprecedented fourth time each
- The champion accumulated over HK$288.74 million in career earnings, setting a global record for total prize money
- Romantic Warrior won 15 international Group One races across Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, and Dubai throughout his career
- Last season, he became the first dual Horse of the Year alongside Ka Ying Rising, marking the first time Hong Kong had two co-Horse of the Year
- The HKJC will arrange a farewell ceremony at a Sha Tin race day later this season, with details to be announced
Why It Matters
Romantic Warrior's retirement marks the end of an extraordinary era in Hong Kong racing, having achieved what no other horse in the city has accomplished. His farewell ceremony at Sha Tin will provide fans and the racing community an opportunity to honor a horse that became the first dual Horse of the Year alongside Ka Ying Rising, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest Thoroughbreds in Hong Kong's history . The HKJC's Retired Racehorse Welfare Plan ensures he will receive comprehensive post-racing care following his distinguished career.
Romantic Warrior's retirement marks the end of an extraordinary era in Hong Kong racing, having achieved what no other horse in the city has accomplished. His farewell ceremony at Sha Tin will provide fans and the racing community an opportunity to honor a horse that became the first dual Horse of the Year alongside Ka Ying Rising, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest Thoroughbreds in Hong Kong's history . The HKJC's Retired Racehorse Welfare Plan ensures he will receive comprehensive post-racing care following his distinguished career.