Romantic Warrior claimed redemption when winning a dramatic running of the Group One Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) to seal the Triple Crown title at Sha Tin on Sunday.
After being narrowly defeated in the 2023 edition, Danny Shum Chap-shing’s champion galloper completed the treble of the Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m), Group One Gold Cup (2,000m) and Champions & Chater when taking out the final leg by half a length over Numbers in a thrilling battle over the concluding stages.
A very tactical race saw stablemate Romantic Thor lead while Numbers raced keenly to his outside, with Derek Leung Ka-chun giving Numbers his rein from the 800m and Romantic Thor going with him. The leaders set up a gap at the bend that gave Romantic Warrior plenty to chase and the champion showed his qualities to wear Numbers down.
Jockey James McDonald was thrilled to share the achievement with Romantic Warrior when becoming the only jockey to win back-to-back Triple Crowns after he and Voyage Bubble became the first in 31 years to claim the feat last season.
“He’s a Triple Crown winner, he thoroughly deserved it. I read an article, the boss [Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges] said he was already an immortal and I totally agree with him,” McDonald said.
