Romantic Warrior's elation replaced with sorrow at Meydan
Jockey William Buick rides Ghaiyyath to victory in The Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, south-west of London on July 5, 2020.
Closing stages of the Jebel Hatta at Meydan, should have been a jubilant gospel for Romantic Warrior, a global phenomenon.
Sadly, the elation was replaced with sorrow after last year's winner, Measured Time, suffered a fatal injury. Billed as a clash of the titans, Dubai's contest turned into a tactical affair with William Buick opening up a huge lead on Measured Time, only for Romantic Warrior to pick up and pass his rival before tragedy struck.
As the Hong Kong sensation sealed his tenth plump at top notch level, Charlie Appleby's, Measured Time, broke down around 50 yards from the wire, in a terrible incident. William got away Scott-free. Godolphin's managing director, Hugh Anderson, said: "Everyone is deeply saddened by the passing of Measured Time. He was an immensely popular horse and will be greatly missed."
Stewards reported: "A post-race veterinary examination revealed the horse to have a catastrophic break down to its left fore-leg and was humanely euthanized." Already the highest-earning racehorse on earth, Romantic Warrior showed once more that no challenge is too great as he won on his UAE debut. It was also a successful first visit to Dubai for jockey James McDonald, who finished the card with a treble, following strikes on Marbaan and Keffaaf.
"I'm extremely satisfied, I just loved the way he did it," offered James. "He was very fresh, jumped fast and travelled well. As I turned for home I could see the leader so far in front, but he was picking up beautifully. He adapts to anything, you can put him on a saucepan and he'll do well. Any pace, any distance, is suitable."
Romantic Warrior will be set another new task next, with trainer Danny Shum looking towards a premier attempt on dirt in the Saudi Cup, February 22.
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A few days after being pronounced the world's joint-best racehorse, Laurel River suffered a surprise defeat on his first start since March 2024. Laurel River (Tadhg O'Shea 1-5), set a searing pace in the Firebreak Stakes and looked under control until his stamina wore thin.
It was King Gold (Adrie de Vries), who capitalized at 66-1 by a short-pip Laurel River's trainer, Bhupat Seemar, was not too downbeat and the plan remains for Juddmonte's seven-year-old to be aimed at the Saudi Cup before a Dubai World Cup defence. Cagliostro (James Doyle 14-1), claimed third, another short-head away. There were ten runners in the mile which clocked 1:36:7/10.
