THE Irish-bred Romantic Warrior, racing’s all-time highest money-winner, has been retired from racing having failed to recover from a leg injury.

Winner of 15 Group 1s during his glittering career, he was bred by the Egans of Corduff Stud in Prosperous, Co Kildare, in partnership with T.J. Rooney.

Michael Kinane purchased him as a yearling on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Acclamation gelding went on to amass over €32.5 million in prize money, after finishing in the first four on all of his 31 career starts.

His 24 career wins included 15 at the highest level; the majority came at Sha Tin, but Danny Shum’s stable star also proved himself abroad when capturing the Yasuda Kinen (Japan), Cox Plate (Australia) and Jebel Hatta (Dubai).

The Peter Lau Pak Fai-owned gelding lost nothing in defeat when racing on the dirt in the 2025 Saudi Cup, when he was beaten a neck by Forever Young.

The now eight-year-old had won all four of his races this year, with his final victory coming in the Champions & Chater Cup at Sha Tin in May, a win that saw him become just the third winner of the Hong Kong Triple Crown.

Vets had been monitoring one of Romantic Warrior’s front legs and connections made the call to bring an end to his remarkable career.

A statement from the Hong Kong Jockey Club said: “Romantic Warrior’s connections, in consultation with the Club’s veterinarians, have decided to retire Romantic Warrior from racing, following further detailed diagnostic imaging and assessment of his front leg at the Club’s state-of-the-art veterinary hospital.

“Romantic Warrior will spend the next three months at Conghua Racecourse under the continued monitoring of the Club’s veterinarians before being transitioned to his retirement home with the assistance of the Club’s RESTART Racehorse Aftercare Programme, which involves a holistic approach to horse aftercare following the completion of racing careers.

“The Club will arrange a farewell ceremony for Romantic Warrior at a Sha Tin Raceday later this season.”

In due course, Romantic Warrior will spend his retirement in Australia in the care of James McDonald, who rode him in 14 of his 15 Group 1 wins and has now retired himself, due to injury.

In January 2025, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association honoured Romantic Warrior at its National Breeding and Racing Awards.