Why Romantic Warrior is still the King of Hong Kong and not Ka Ying Rising
- Feb 27
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 1
(Image source: HKJC)
The debate around the world’s best racehorse has recently centred on Ka Ying Rising’s winning streak. But dominance over a narrow set of conditions cannot be the sole measurement of greatness.
Champions are often defined by durability and repeatable elite performance against different opposition, in different environments and across a range of distances.
By those standards, Romantic Warrior remains Hong Kong’s best horse and one of the most complete racehorses in its history.
The focus on Ka Ying Rising’s feats has overshadowed what Romantic Warrior has achieved in his career to date and he deserves greater recognition.
What defines a champion racehorse?
The very best racehorses consistently demonstrate three defining qualities:
Versatility - Winning across distances, track conditions and pace scenarios.
Longevity at Peak Level - Multiple seasons of elite performance against changing opposition
International Transferability - Maintaining performance when removed from home track advantage
Romantic Warrior is a rare example of a horse that fulfills all three of these attributes.
VERSATILITY & DURABILITY
Group 1 winner from 1600m–2000m
Winner at 1200m and Group 1 placed at 2400m
Group 1 success on rain affected and firm ground
Group 1 wins clockwise and anti clockwise
International Group 1 placed on dirt
Multiple Group 1 wins following injury return as an 8 year-old
LONGEVITY
21 wins from 28 starts
12 Group 1 victories
4 Hong Kong Cup wins (Hong Kong record)
Group 1 winner across five consecutive seasons
INTERNATIONAL RECORD
1st – Australia – G1 Cox Plate (2040m)
1st – Japan – G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m)
1st – Dubai – G1 Jebel Hatta (1800m)
2nd – Saudi Arabia – G1 Saudi Cup, dirt (1800m)
2nd – Dubai – G1 Dubai Turf (1800m)
Won or placed in Group 1 races from 1600m to 2400m
After an injury layoff for much of 2025, Romantic Warrior returned in November with two further Group 1 victories, showing no signs of decline. This Sunday he is expected to start unbackable odds as he seeks a 13th Group 1 success in the Hong Kong Gold Cup.
Champions elevate what is considered possible in racing, and Romantic Warrior has demonstrated sustained excellence across varying distances and environments over an extended period.
Ka Ying Rising may become a sprinting legend, but time will tell whether he can emulate Romantic Warrior’s legacy.
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