Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior has been officially retired from racing. The Hong Kong Jockey Club stated on September 2, providing an update on his condition.
Romantic Warrior, Photo source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Following further detailed diagnostic imaging and assessment of his front leg at the Club’s state-of-the-art veterinary hospital, Romantic Warrior’s connections, in consultation with the Club’s veterinarians, have decided to retire the champion galloper from racing.
Romantic Warrior will spend the next three months at the Conghua Racecourse under the continued monitoring of the Club’s veterinarians. He will then be transitioned to his retirement home with the assistance of the Club’s RESTART Racehorse Aftercare Programme.
The Club will arrange a farewell ceremony for Romantic Warrior at a Sha Tin Raceday later this season, with details to be shared in the following days.
Romantic Warrior (right), Photo source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club
In an earlier statement in August, the Club noted that a physical examination had revealed changes in one of Romantic Warrior’s joints, requiring further detailed assessment.
Romantic Warrior, Photo source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) has pledged its full support to the Hong Kong, China team competing in the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. Club Chairman The Hon Martin Liao together with Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges attended the flag presentation ceremony today (1 September) to give the delegation a heartfelt send-off ahead of the Games. The Club will provide cash incentive awards for medallists at the Games.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Chairman The Hon Martin Liao (left, first row) together with Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (right, first row) attended the flag presentation ceremony. Photo source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said that as a world-class equine sports organisation, the Club has consistently supported sports development at the elite and community levels through a wide range of initiatives, also aiming to broaden participation in sport at the grass-roots level. Initiatives include the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme, through which the Club provides cash incentives to Hong Kong, China athletes to encourage excellence at major events. He noted that, in doing so, the Club aims to inspire peak performance in elite competitions. On behalf of the Club, he wished the Hong Kong, China team every success at the 20th Asian Games.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Chairman The Hon Martin Liao (center) together with the athletes, Photo source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club
In August, the Club announced a new cycle of the JCAIAS, supporting its implementation by the Hong Kong Sports Institute. The scheme will cover seven major upcoming sporting events. The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, scheduled to take place from 19 September to 4 October 2026, will be the first major event under the new JCAIAS cycle. The Club will provide cash awards to members of the Hong Kong, China team who win gold, silver and bronze medals in individual and team events. Gold medallists in individual and team events will receive HK$1 million and HK$2 million, respectively.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has pledged its full support to the Hong Kong, China team competing in the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. Photo source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme - Details of Cash Incentives:
Gold
Individual: HK$1,000,000/Team: HK$2,000,000
Silver
Individual: HK$500,000/Team: HK$1,000,000
Bronze
Individual: HK$250,000/Team: HK$500,000
