When Via Sistina equalled Winx’s record for the most Group 1 wins in an Australian season in last weekend’s G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, a familiar question was being bandied around both trackside and on social media: who is the superior racehorse – Romantic Warrior or Via Sistina?
Of course, there is a certain Longines World’s Best Jockey, James McDonald, who would have a good inkling as to which of the duo may come out on top in a match up over 2000m. But, just how great would it be if that particular question was put to rest once and for all?
Now, granted, this might be one of those far-fetched, too-good-to-be-true scenarios racing fans love to dream about. The stars rarely align in this game – schedules clash, priorities differ, and horses have a habit of doing things on their own terms. But every now and again, an opportunity arises that feels just too good to ignore.
Two consecutive Cox Plate winners, who, interestingly, were born nine days apart in 2018. Two ambitious owners who have pushed the boundaries of what global racing can be. And one perfect opportunity to settle it over the pair’s optimum distance: the G1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) this December at Sha Tin.
Romantic Warrior, trained by Danny Shum and owned by Peter Lau, is already the most successful international campaigner Hong Kong has ever seen. With 10 Group 1 races to his name, he has taken on some of Australia’s best and won the Cox Plate. He flew to Japan and stole the Yasuda Kinen from their backyard. He came agonisingly close to a monumental Saudi Cup win. Then, back on home turf, he has made Sha Tin his personal playground with three straight wins in both the Hong Kong Cup and QE II Cup.
While his owner admitted to Idol Horse that he “is not a big fan” of travelling himself, Lau has never been one to shy away from an international challenge with his pride and joy. In doing so, he’s helped show that Hong Kong can go toe-to-toe with the best in the world.
Via Sistina, meanwhile, has gone from a promising talent in Britain to top-level superstar in Australia. She emerged victorious in seven Group 1 starts this season, brushing aside strong fields to match the mighty Winx’s record. Her turn of foot, tactical versatility and sheer will to win have elevated her to rarefied air since she made the journey Down Under.
She also shares the similarity with Romantic Warrior in that Via Sistina is backed by an owner who seems eager to leave a mark on the sport that transcends national borders.
Zhang Yuesheng’s Yulong operation is fast emerging as an international outfit to match big guns like Coolmore and Godolphin. Spanning Europe, Australia – he is the biggest breeder in Victoria – the United States and mainland China, the billionaire businessman’s jade green and white silks are recognisable in major racing jurisdictions worldwide as he continues to expand his influence in the global thoroughbred industry.
But, perhaps most importantly of all, Zhang became one of the first non-residents granted an ownership permit by the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 2022. An ownership permit is required to race a horse in the jurisdiction.
Would it be out of the question that the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s chief executive officer, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, now asks for a relatively large favour in return?
Engelbrecht-Bresges was trackside at Randwick to watch Via Sistina stretch clear in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday and he wasted no time after the race. He found Mr. Zhang, shook his hand, offered congratulations and extended a tantalising invitation: come to Hong Kong in December and let’s see two greats of this era collide in the Hong Kong Cup.
Zhang, to his credit, didn’t rule it out. “He’s considering it,” Engelbrecht-Bresges told Idol Horse when he returned to Sha Tin on Sunday.
Then, in a move straight out of the Sheikh Mohammed playbook – who famously dangled a £6 million prize pot to tempt a Montjeu vs Dubai Millennium showdown 25 years ago – Engelbrecht-Bresges even jokingly suggested that he could sweeten the deal with a big winner-takes-all purse.
What a moment it would be – not just for Hong Kong racing, but for the sport as a whole. At a time when racing is fighting for relevance – jostling for column inches, battling image problems, and trying to hang onto its heartbeat – what better shot in the arm than these two giants going toe-to-toe on the Sha Tin turf?
There’s also a certain symmetry to the idea. In October, one of Hong Kong’s most precious commodities – Ka Ying Rising – will head to Australia to tackle The Everest, the richest race on turf. Imagine if Via Sistina were to travel in the other direction a few weeks later, taking on Romantic Warrior on his home turf in Hong Kong’s richest race.
Then, there is the J-Mac factor. He is the thread that connects both and the man who has ridden both horses to Group 1 glory. He knows their quirks, their gears, their weak points – if they even have any. If this race happens, he’ll have to choose.
On paper, you might assume he sticks with Romantic Warrior. It’s his backyard, the jockey is undefeated on him in the Hong Kong Cup and he’s travelled around the globe with the horse, at the expense of Group 1 rides in Australia. But relationships matter and Yulong is growing at a rapid pace. Their investment in bloodstock across the globe means opportunities could come thick and fast for McDonald. While Romantic Warrior may be able to bring him glory on the day, Yulong may be able to offer the rider more Group 1 rides and more quality partnerships that could help define his next few seasons.
It’s the kind of subplot that would help make this great race unforgettable. Two champions, one stage and a world-class jockey with the hardest decision in racing ∎
