Globetrotting superstar Romantic Warrior could bid for Saudi Cup redemption

Romantic Warrior could return to Riyadh next season for another crack at the Saudi Cup after the globetrotting superstar's gallant second last month.

The seven-year-old, who has earned more than £20 million in prize-money, missed out by a neck in the world's richest race to Japan's Forever Young, but trainer Danny Shum has not ruled out a return trip.

"It was a great run, and they'll be talking about what a great race it was for the next ten years," said Shum. "Romantic Warrior is fine. He's recovered quickly and eaten well. He's already back to his normal body weight and seems happy in himself."

On whether the ten-time Group 1-winner could return for next year's Saudi Cup, the trainer said: "Next year Romantic Warrior will be eight and Forever Young will be five, so it will be more difficult, but I'm not saying no – I'm open to the possibility."

Romantic Warrior, who has scored at the highest level in Hong Kong, Japan, Dubai and Australia, began his season with victory in the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup at Sha Tin in November before adding the Hong Kong Cup the following month. He then won the Jebel Hatta in Dubai before finishing second in the Saudi Cup.

He is expected to have a similar campaign this winter but first will be aimed at the Dubai Turf on April 5 before a possible return to Japan for the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen, which he won in June.

“I'm still talking to the Japan Racing Association and the Hong Kong agricultural department about the possibility of going to Japan, but it will depend on quarantine," added Shum. "I'd like to maybe go there, but if not we'll go back to Hong Kong for the Group 2 and the Hong Kong Cup."

Read more:

Forever Young and Romantic Warrior serve up all-time classic duel in Saudi Cup as Japanese ace prevails in £16m thriller

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