Romantic Warrior shows his class again in Jebel Hatta but race is marred by Measured Time’s fatal injury
The closing stages of the Jebel Hatta (Gr 1, 1800m) should have been a celebration of the global phenomenon that is Romantic Warrior (Acclamation), but the feeling of elation was replaced with sorrow after last year’s winner Measured Time (Frankel) suffered a fatal injury.
Billed as a clash of the titans, the Group 1 contest turned into a tactical affair with William Buick opening up a huge lead on Measured Time, only for Romantic Warrior, under regular rider James McDonald, to pick up and pass his rival before tragedy struck.
As the Hong Kong sensation sealed his tenth victory at the highest level, the Charlie Appleby-trained Measured Time went amiss around 50 yards from the line in a terrible incident, in which Buick was unscathed.
Godolphin’s managing director Hugh Anderson said: “Everyone at Godolphin is deeply saddened by the passing of Measured Time. He was an immensely popular horse and will be greatly missed.”
A stewards’ report read: “A post-race veterinary examination revealed the horse to have a catastrophic break down to its left fore-leg and was humanely euthanised.”
McDonald, who partnered the Acclamation (Royal Applause) gelding to wins in the 2023 Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) at The Valley and the Yasuda Kinen (Gr 1, 1600m) at Tokyo Racecourse as well as eight other elite-level victories, was unflustered as Measured Time forged away.
“As soon as I turned for home, I could see the leader in the race so far in front but he [Romantic Warrior] was picking up so beautifully and he did the rest,” McDonald said. “I was just delighted with him. He jumps fast, he travels well and I never felt in doubt at all.
“He adapts to anything. You could put him on a saucepan and he would run well – any pace, any distance would suit him fine.”
McDonald said he was more concerned before leaving the parade ring when Romantic Warrior was unusually animated.
“I was a little bit worried before the race with a gap between runs, he was more fresh in the parade ring and then he managed to get his cool going to the start, so that was pleasant to see,” McDonald said.
Already the highest-earning racehorse in the world, Romantic Warrior will now head to the Saudi Cup (Gr 1, 1800m) in Riyadh on February 22, which will be his first run on the dirt, before returning to Meydan for either the Dubai World Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) or Dubai Turf (Gr 1, 1800m) on April 5.
Asked about switching to dirt for the Saudi Cup, McDonald said: “Your guess is as good as mine because I really don’t know. It’s foreign territory for him – a different surface – but one thing I do know is that he will try his best and he will give a great sight. Whether he can win, I’m not too sure but I wouldn’t swap him for anything.”
Shum was elated with Romantic Warrior’s performance.
“He’s a really good horse, he’s talented and he’s easy to look after. I was not worried [during the race] because I trust James. He’s a world-class jockey so he knew the pace so I was 100 per cent not worried,” Shum said.
“He’s one of the best in the world, there’s no doubt. He’s got a good turn of foot, he listens to what the jockey wants him to do and he can kick.
McDonald enjoyed the perfect initiation to Meydan, striking with his first ride at the track when partnering Marbaan (Oasis Dream) to victory in the Al Fahidi Fort (Gr 2, 1400m) in a course record time of 1.21.04 and closing the meeting with a treble when Keffaaf (Adlerflug) won the Al Khail Trophy (Gr 3, 2810m).