Warrior Possible for a Riyadh Return

A second Saudi Cup attempt not ruled out by Danny Shum

Image: Forever Young edges out Romantic Warrior in The Saudi Cup.

Credit: Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia / Paul McMillan

Trainer Danny Shum has left the door ajar for Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior to return to Riyadh for a second crack at The Saudi Cup after his dramatic defeat by Forever Young last weekend.

The 10-time Group 1 winner lost out by a neck in the world’s richest race having been involved in an epic tussle with the Japanese winner down the home stretch at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.

James McDonald made smooth headway widest of all around the home turn on the three-times Hong Kong Cup hero only to be run down late by last year’s Saudi Derby winner, with the pair pulling over 10 lengths clear of 2024 runner-up Ushba Tesoro.

“It was a great run and for the next 10 years they will be talking about what a great race The Saudi Cup was,” said Shum.

“The horse is fine since the race and he recovered fast and has eaten well. He is already back to his normal body weight and seems very happy in himself.”

Shum had initially indicated that Romantic Warrior’s long-term future would be in Hong Kong, but such was the stirring finish to The Saudi Cup last weekend, a second crack at the US$20 million feature has not been ruled out.

“It depends, explained Shum. “Next year Romantic Warrior will be 8-years-old and Forever Young a 5-year-old so it will be more difficult, but I am not saying no. I am open to the possibility.

“We will take in the Group 2 in November and then the Hong Kong Cup and see then if he takes the same plane and goes to Dubai with the same plan. We will know more after the Hong Kong runs.”

Romantic Warrior has retuned to Dubai where he has been based since December and will bid to add his Jebel Hatta win at Meydan Racecourse with an outing in the Dubai Turf on April 5, before a possible outing in Japan and a repeat bid in the Yasuda Kinen which he landed last June.

“I am still talking to the Japanese Racing Authority and the Hong Kong agricultural department about the possibility of going to Japan, but it will depend on quarantine,” Shum added.

“I’d like to maybe go there but if not we will go back to Hong Kong for the Group 2 and then the Hong Kong Cup.”