Shum believes Romantic Warrior can handle Saudi dirt track

Trainer of globetrotting triple Hong Kong Cup winner visits King Abdulaziz Racecourse ahead of historic raid.

Image: Danny Shum visited King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday. Credit: JCSA

Monday 16th December, 2024 – Danny Shum has begun preparations for The Saudi Cup (G1) in February by visiting the track where his three-time Hong Kong Cup winner, Romantic Warrior, will bid to win the world’s most valuable race.

The Saudi Cup will mark the first time any Hong Kong-trained horse has competed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It will also be the first time Romantic Warrior will have raced on dirt.

“It’s my first time here, so it all feels very new”, Shum said while a spectator during Saturday’s Crown Prince Cups meeting at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. “I walked around the dirt track and have watched a few races.

“Me and the owners know he’s a very talented horse and we believe he will handle it. We don’t know for sure if he’ll handle it, but I hope so.”

Romantic Warrior is already a record-breaker, being the first horse to win three Hong Kong Cups as well as becoming the highest-earning horse of all-time, something Shum acknowledges is very special. The gelding son of Acclamation is no stranger to winning overseas having added the Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen in Japan this June and Australia’s Cox Plate in 2023 to his impressive CV.

“He created history by winning three Hong Kong Cups and the racing public in Hong Kong love him. It’s very special for me, my stable and for Hong Kong to have a runner in The Saudi Cup, so I want to make sure I do as good a job as possible.”

**ENDS**