Among the observers who were impressed by Romance WarriorHis mesmerizing performance at the Longines Hong Kong Cup (G1) on 11 December was a man who has ridden a good one or two in his day.
Mick Kinane has been in the business of buying and selling horses for the Hong Kong Jockey Club and bought Welcome glue from Corduff Stud for 300,000gns (US$396,948) during Round 2 of the Tattersalls October 2019 Annual Sale.
Delivered for HK$4.8 million (approximately US$617,000) at the Hong Kong International Mercantile Market last June, Romance Warriors won nine out of ten starts for coach Danny Shum, including the BMW Hong Kong Derby and the FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1).
“I was more nervous than riding at the time — it was out of my hands,” said the decorated Irishman after watching the Romantic Warrior fly four and a half yards from the Japanese athlete. Danon the Child.
“He’s just become an incredible horse. What he’s done in 13 months is incredible. He’s started racing past 4th Place and this is his first real International race, it’s a good field and he’s crossed them.”
Mick Kinane at Tattersalls
Kinane revealed that he had to use some dexterity to secure victory for the third pony. Road of Crying mare Folk Melodies from the Park Paddocks in the first place.
“I did everything to buy him,” he said. “I remember at that time I knew Angus Gold was going to be my biggest competitor, he always rode on the same horse that I was riding. My worry was when he called Sheikh Hamdan, my God, he He rests on the phone, he won’t stop.
“So I left my daughter Aisling and son-in-law Mark Gittins; my daughter put on her hat, her headphones on and I hid in the stairs. Angus was looking around, next thing, (knock out) HKJC, he came to see me. Aisling and said, ‘You have understood me.’ I was lucky enough to buy it and the horse has been lucky ever since. To think it can do this is unbelievable.”
Kinane added: “We bought another lot coming in May. I was in Kempton last week with the next lot, I think we have a nice lot for the next sale.
“First runner from last sale is a good first time winner here and things are going well. Hopefully we can find a few more like him!”
