Romantic Warrior made history with a third victory in the Group One QE II Cup on Sunday (April 28) while the great Golden Sixty fell short on an action-packed Champions Day at Sha Tin.
Golden Sixty, Hong Kong's most successful horse with world-record prize money of more than US $21.3 million, was unable to land a 27th career win as he finished fourth behind the Beauty Eternal in the Group One Champions Mile.
Trainer Francis Lui suggested the eight-year-old Golden Sixty had likely run his last race.
Jockey Vincent Ho said Sha Tin's yielding surface after prolonged recent rain prevented the three-time Horse of the Year from unleashing his customary finishing burst.
"He ran well. The ground was not in our favour. When I hit the straight, I could already feel he could not pick up with his usual turn of foot," Ho said.
"I know it's a bit difficult. It is what it is, we can't fight the weather. I was in a great position and everything was close to the speed, but still, we couldn't improve on that ground."
Beauty Eternal snared his maiden Group One success, leading throughout under champion jockey Zac Purton.
