Hong Kong International Sale graduate Romantic Warrior has now reached a tally of 11 Group 1s in four different jurisdictions, as the James McDonald-ridden seven-year-old ran out a convincing length and three-quarters winner over Bellagio Opera in his latest Group 1 success.

McDonald broke well and sat just behind a steady pace set largely by Joseph O’Brien’s Galen, whose rider Dylan Browne McMonagle tried  to get first run on the field as the group of seven turned into the home straight.

Romantic Warrior was travelling well within himself and with 400m remaining, he was in front and was never going to be passed despite the late challenge from Bellagio Opera, with Quisisana sneaking in late for third.

Shum very proud of Romantic Warrior

Winning trainer Danny Shum said of his multiple Group 1 winner:

“I’m very proud of Romantic Warrior and our stable team, they work really hard. It’s a big relief. He always gives me a lot of happiness, not only me but my stable, owners, my family and in Hong Kong, even racing fans or non-racing fans, they all love Romantic Warrior.

“To be honest, there was a lot of pressure. He had his surgery (when a screw was inserted in his left front leg at the end of May), but he is such a good, calm, lovely horse. He’s part of my family, I love him. My son says I love Romantic Warrior more than him!

“He’s very easy to train. He doesn’t need too much work and his body weight will tell you, his appetite will tell you how fit he is.”

It’s FOUR Hong Kong Cups for the brilliant ROMANTIC WARRIOR! @HKJC_Racing | @HongKong_Racing | #HKIR | #HKRacing pic.twitter.com/f2sEElvud7

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 14, 2025

Romantic Warrior is likely to be aimed another another clash with Forever Young, who he pushed all the way to the line in that famous Group 1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) showdown earlier this year.

“He’s so special”

The successful rider, James McDonald, summed up his admiration for Romantic Warrior by stating:

“He’s so special, he’s so special. He’s just a freak. I don’t know what to say. I just love him. I love him.”

Dylan Browne McMonagle, the rider of the Joseph O’Brien-trained Galen, who out-ran his odds of 25/1 to finish fourth, said of the four-year-old son of Gleneagles:

“He’s a very, very tough horse and he wears his heart on his sleeve. We were drawn a little bit wide and he didn’t step as well as he usually does, which meant I had to work a little bit around the first bend. But I got into a nice rhythm and he was tough the whole way to the line.”

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The New Zealand-bred gelding secured his sixth Group 1 victory to enhance his record to 17 wins and two seconds from 19 starts with prize money of HK$122.5 million.

In a powerful display after drawing barrier one for the first time in his career, the Shamexpress gelding produced one of his best victories with a masterful ride from Zac Purton, who steered the champion into the middle of the home straight in search of the best ground.

Ka Ying Rising surged away to beat Raging Blizzard by three-and-three-quarter lengths, with Fast Network third after being eased down by Purton over the closing 150 metres.

“I think we showed everyone what he can do…”@zpurton reacts to Ka Ying Rising’s performance in the Hong Kong Sprint after blowing his rivals away at Sha Tin! @HKJC_Racing | @HongKong_Racing | #HKIR | #HKRacing pic.twitter.com/HPvzjbdLjj

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 14, 2025

“In a league of his own”

Purton said Ka Ying Rising’s performance was what everyone wanted to see.

“His last run showed us that it was on the cards today,” he said. “He drew the right gate, and when the barrier came out, they said, ‘What do you think?’ And I said he would win by further.

“He is just in a league of his own now. And not having to do that extra work into the first corner from a wide gate to try and get forward, probably helped him.”

The best Hayes has trained

Declaring Ka Ying Rising the best horse he has trained, David Hayes said he was relieved the five-year-old gelding didn’t let the stable or the public’s expectations down.

“He was just superb today,” he said. “The messages he was sending the week of the race suggested he’d do something like that. We are not running fast times today but he did – (running) a lot faster than the other races.”

Hayes said there were horses in the race with Royal Ascot, Dubai and Breeders’ Cup form and they were probably the best sprinters around, and while Ka Ying Rising was making them look ordinary, he said they certainly weren’t.”

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Defending champion Giavellotto pursued Sosie and jockey Maxime Guyon all the way to the line but could not reverse the placings from October’s Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m), in which the pair finished third and fourth.

Breaking from stall eight, Guyon had Sosie nicely placed one off the rail and two places back from the early leader Eydon. The latter was overtaken halfway down the back straight by Urban Chic as Christophe Lemaire attempted to inject some urgency into proceedings.

As the field began to turn for home, Guyon went the safe route to the outside of the fading Urban Chic, while Christophe Soumillon took the daring route up the rail aboard Goliath, staying on well for third.

“Everything went very smoothly,” Guyon said, who added to wins in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase aboard Flintshire (2014) and Junko (2023).

“I followed Los Angeles for three-quarters of the race, but halfway round the home turn, Ryan’s (Moore, jockey) horse began to falter. This horse can really sustain his run, and he is such a hard horse to pass.

“The horse has such a great temperament and he is so easy to put anywhere in a race.”

Earlier this season, Sosie also triumphed in the Group 1 Prix Ganay and the Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan.

“He is an incredible horse,” Guyon said. “This was the first time he’d travelled across continents, and yet he’s been relaxed every morning this week, and he’s looked amazing.”

"Same owner, same trainer, same jockey… I'm really happy for us!"

Maxime Guyon landed the prize aboard Junko for the same connections in 2023 and now reacts to guiding Sosie to success in the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin…@HKJC_Racing | @HongKong_Racing | #HKIR | #HKRacing pic.twitter.com/OQSy2iQSLP

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 14, 2025

This season’s Group 1 Grosser Preis von Baden winner, Goliath, claimed third place. Joseph O’Brien’s Al Riffa, in the hands of Dylan Browne McMonagle, was fourth, with the Donegal rider stating:

“He ran a super race. He wasn’t the quickest into stride from the gates which wasn’t ideal over this trip but he finished good.”

Los Angeles, in his final race before taking up NH stud duties was fifth home under Ryan Moore, the English jockey saying post race:

“He ran very well, I was happy with him.”

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CLICK FOR LIVE GAA SCORES

CLICK FOR List of Live GAA Matches on Clubber Here’s a full list of this week’s fixtures from the image, grouped by county:

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The seven-year-old, partnered by Lisgoold jockey Paul Townend for trainer Willie Mullins, previously won the Celebration Chase at the track, a win which helped Willie Mullins claim a second British Jump trainers’ championship last April.

9-length winner

This afternoon, Il Etait Temps travelled strongly throughout the race having taken the lead from the J.P. McManus-owned Jonbon (3/1) three out.

The gelded son of Jukebox Jury then moved clear for an easy nine length victory to give Mullins a second win in the race after Un De Sceaux in 2016, with the victor of the race the past two seasons, Jonbon, having to settle for the runner-up spot this time.

L’Eau du Sud (7/2) was a further nine lengths back in third for Dan and Harry Skelton.

Living up to all the promise

Successful jockey Paul Townend said of the Hollywood Racing and Barnane Stud-owned winner:

“He is tiny, but he answered every question I asked of him today. I feel silly for not picking him so many times in his career now! He is living up to all the promise he showed as a young horse and went through the race really easily today. He is so relaxed now, and you can do what you want with him. In years gone past, you’d be afraid to ask him for a jump because you’d set him alight and you wouldn’t get him back.

”Willie always has a plan, and he’ll tell us what he wants to do”

What next for Il Etait Temps? Rishi chats to the winning owner pic.twitter.com/u3MgyFLLVb

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 6, 2025

Nicky Henderson, trainer of runner-up Jonbon, said post-race:

“When the winner beat us here last year it was at the end of a long season, but today proves that over two miles he is a sharper horse than we are. You have to be tempted to look at going over further with him now. But let’s just see. Nothing is in and nothing is out.

Dan Skelton, trainer of third-placed L’Eau du Sud, stated:

“I don’t think we were at our best today, but I am very happy. We’ll have to get him super fresh, and he’ll go straight to the Champion Chase now – we’ll try and have him in the form he was in for the Shloer at Cheltenham.”

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Drawn in Pool D, the Celtic neighbours are drawn alongside Uruguay and Portugal.

In World Cup matches, Ireland beat the Scots in both the 2019 and 2023 tournaments, while Scotland claimed victory at the 1991 edition.

Ireland have never faced Uruguay or Portugal on the Rugby World Cup stage. Andy Farrell’s side did, however, post their record win (106-7) in test rugby against Portugal earlier this year.

The Ireland side will face a South American team in a pool for the first time since Argentina in 2007.

Portugal and Uruguay will meet for the first time at a Rugby World Cup.

Scotland’s only previous meetings with Uruguay and Portugal both came in the debut tournaments for those teams, in 1999 and 2007 respectively.

Portugal’s first-ever Rugby World Cup match was against Scotland, where they suffered a comprehensive 56-10 defeat.

Os Lobos have now been paired with at least two European teams in each of their three Rugby World Cup tournaments.

POOL A (NZL, AUS, CHI, HKG)

Australia and New Zealand are drawn together in a pool for the first time. This will be their first RWC meeting since the 2015 final won 34-17 by New Zealand at Twickenham.

The Wallabies will face a South American team for the fifth time in a pool after Argentina (1991 and 2003) and Uruguay (2015 and 2019).

Two of New Zealand’s titles came after facing a South American team in a pool (Argentina in 1987 and 2015).

Chile will face three new teams on the Rugby World Cup stage. They have a won one, lost one record against Hong Kong China, the only team in their pool that they have faced before.

Hong Kong China will be the 27th national team to play in a Men’s Rugby World Cup. The country’s women were also drawn in a pool with New Zealand for their Rugby World Cup debut in 2017, losing 121-0 in Dublin.

POOL  B (RSA, ITA, GEO, ROU)

South Africa are drawn in Pool B for the third successive tournament and have always been in a pool with at least one European nation. This is the second tournament in a row they will face three European nations after meeting Ireland, Scotland and Romania at RWC 2023.

Italy are drawn in a pool with Georgia for the first time.

Georgia will face South Africa for the first time since their debut tournament in 2003 in Australia, a match they lost 46-19 in Sydney.

Italy will meet the Springboks for the second time, having lost 49-3 in their RWC 2019 encounter in Japan.

It will be a third tournament in a row that Italy face an African opponent, having also met Namibia in 2019 and 2023.

Romania have lost to all three of their pool opponents at a Rugby World Cup (Georgia in 2011, Italy in 2007 and 2015 and South Africa in 1995 and 2023).

POOL C (ARG, FIJ, ESP, CAN)

Argentina and Fiji met in their first-ever Rugby World Cup match in 1987, the Pacific Islanders winning 28-9 in Hamilton. They have not been drawn in a pool together since then.

Los Pumas have never met Canada or Spain on the Rugby World Cup stage and it is 22 years since their last test against Canada, a 62-22 win in Buenos Aires. Argentina beat Spain 62-3 in August 2023.

Canada have faced their other two pool opponents this year, losing 24-23 to Spain in July and 63-10 to Fiji in September.

Fiji and Canada last met at a Rugby World Cup in 2007, the Fijians winning 29-16.

Canada will face a Pacific islands nation for the first time since they beat Tonga 25-20 at at RWC 2011.

Spain and Fiji met last month, the Pacific Islanders running out 41-33 winners in Malaga.

Spain faced a South American team in their first RWC match in 1999, losing 27-15. They will face these three teams for the first time on the Rugby World Cup stage.

POOL E (FRA, JPN, USA, SAM)

France will meet Samoa for the first time in a Rugby World Cup pool match.

Les Bleus have met Japan on two occasions, including when the tournament was last held in Australia in 2003.

France were among USA’s opponents at their last Rugby World Cup in 2019.

Japan and Samoa are drawn together for the fourth tournament in a row, the Brave Blossoms having won the three most recent encounters after a loss in 1999.

USA and Japan met in their first-ever Rugby World Cup match, the Men’s Eagles winning 21-18 at Ballymore in 1987. Two of the three RWC meetings between Japan and USA have come on Australian soil with USA also winning 39-26 in Gosford in 2003.

Samoa, who lost to USA in the RWC 2027 qualification process, will meet the Eagles in a tournament hosted outside of Europe for the first time, having met in 2007 (France) and 2015 (England).

POOL F (ENG, WAL, TGA, ZIM)

England will face Wales for the second time in a RWC pool, having lost 28-25 on home soil in 2015.

Tonga are one of two sides that England have scored a century of points against on the Rugby World Cup stage (101-10 in 1999). England also beat the ‘Ikale Tahi on two other occasions, in 2007 and 2019.

Wales and Tonga last met at a Rugby World Cup in 2003, the Welsh winning 27-20 in Canberra. They also faced off in the inaugural tournament in 1987, Wales winning 29-16.

Zimbabwe have three new Rugby World Cup opponents, taking the number of different teams they will have faced to eight (only Scotland twice). It will be the first time they face a Pacific Islands nation.

Tonga and Zimbabwe’s meeting at RWC 2027 will come 30 years after the ‘Ikale Tahi ran out 42-13 winners in their only previous test in Harare.

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Rhodes, founder and administrator of the Aidan O’Brien Fan Site, is THE foremost statistician and expert on the success of Aidan O’Brien’s phenomenal training career to date.

This detailed unofficial biography, allows readers dive into the extraordinary career of O’Brien, one of horse racing’s most legendary trainers, in this unparalleled, 115,000-word publication. The book looks at the man behind Ballydoyle Stables, whose record-breaking achievements have reshaped the world of flat racing and beyond.

From the Wexford-born O’Brien’s humble beginnings to his global dominance, this must-read publication for racing fans and general sports fans alike, traces O’Brien’s rise to becoming a statistical titan in the sport.

The book contains details of the Ballydoyle handler’s unrivalled list of accomplishments, including world records, classic victories, and an astonishing tally of Group 1 wins across the world.

Key Highlights of the book include:

Achievements & Rankings: A comprehensive breakdown of Aidan O’Brien’s world records, classic victories in detail, Group Race totals, and historical rankings against the sport’s greatest trainers.

The Star Horses: In-depth chapters on his greatest equine athletes, featuring Group 1 Winners and multiple Classic winners, including the iconic Hawk Wing (the highest-rated Ballydoyle horse ever), Johannesburg, and Auguste Rodin. Supported by Timeform ratings, strike rates, and top-earning statistics.

Global Impact & Festivals: Experience the thrill of racing festivals through O’Brien’s lens, from Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Irish Champions Festival, and the Breeders’ Cup.

Legacy & Collaborations: Delve into the storied history of Ballydoyle, the influential threads of Coolmore, the legendary stallion Galileo. Readers are guided through the evolution of Ballydoyle, the powerhouse he helped shape into a symbol of perfection, and the enduring alliance with jockey Ryan Moore that defined an era.

Focus on the Future: Complete with a special focus on the 2025 season (juvenile stars, race summaries, top earners) and an exciting look ahead to 2026 with potential Ballydoyle juveniles and horses to watch.

Historical Statistics

Complete with year-by-year breakdowns, historical statistics, and a nod to O’Brien’s National Hunt roots, this book is a treasure trove for racing enthusiasts and statisticians alike.

Aidan O’Brien: A Statistical Phenomenon is more than a biography – it is a celebration of a trainer whose legacy spans generations, breeding dynasties, and continents, cementing his place as a transformative figure in horse racing history.

Popular since launch

Incredibly in the first 24 hours since its launch, the book reached number 2 in Amazon’s Hot New Releases [Horse Racing] and number 10 in Horse Racing Books [Worldwide].

Aidan O’Brien: A Statistical Phenomenon is available for purchase HERE

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The Irish contingent will be led, as always, by a strong team from Ballydoyle.

Aidan O’Brien, who was crowned champion flat trainer in Britain last weekend, and who will be confirmed as champion trainer in Ireland for a 28th time this weekend, will have a strong hand over the two-day meeting with eight runners in six Grade 1 races.

Horses from Ballydoyle towards the top of the betting market include True Love (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint), Precise (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf), and Gstaad (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf).

25 Group 1s so far in 2025 for O’Brien

Gstaad will be joined in the Grade 1 race by his stable companions Mission Central and Brussels. O’Brien bids to add to his 25 Group 1 wins this season and edge him closer to his own world record of 28 wins at the highest level which he set back in 2017.

A disaster draw?

Precise and Gstaad have been eased in the betting for their respective @BreedersCup assignments…

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 28, 2025

Minnie Hauk, runner-up in the recent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp, will contest the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Saturday instead of the Filly and Mare Turf. The Coolmore partners will be represented in the latter named race by Bedtime Story instead. The Lion In Winter, well touted for both the 2000 Guineas and the Epsom Derby earlier in his career, will contest the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

“We have your gates back home as well.”@ScottFDTV caught up with trainer Aidan O’Brien after his horses came off the track this morning. Who’s your favorite horse that’s come over with him for this year’s @BreedersCup? pic.twitter.com/T2Xby5TDZ6

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 29, 2025

O’Brien’s sons Joseph and Donnacha will also have runners at Del Mar this weekend.

Joseph and Donnacha O’Brien compete

Joseph, a former Breeders’ Cup-winning rider, will be represented by Queen Of Hawaii in the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf and North Coast in the Juvenile Turf on Friday evening.

Donnacha takes three runners to California, namely Havana Anna (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint), Balantina (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf) and Atsila (Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf).

Champion jumps trainer in Ireland and Britain Willie Mullins travels his Royal Ascot and Ebor hero Ethical Diamond to the Californian sunshine to compete in the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Saturday.

Adrian Murray and Jack Davison runners

County Westmeath-based handler Adrian Murray will have two runners in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on day two of the meeting, with both Arizona Blaze and Bucanero Fuerte carrying the Amo Racing silks. Meath trainer Jack Davison has She’s Quality engaged in the same contest.

Adrian Murray’s Valiant Force has been declared for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint but the horse is currently ranked as first reserve, so the Irish trainer will be hoping one horse comes out of the race.

There will be coverage of the 2025 Breeders’ Cup from Del Mar on Virgin Media Two from 8pm on Friday, with coverage beginning on Saturday 8.30pm.

There will also be comprehensive coverage on At The Races/Sky Sports Racing.

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The 8.10pm Irish time kick-off, live on Virgin Media One and TNT Sports, will be the first game in a busy month of international fixtures for the Irish side.

Dan Sheehan will captain Ireland for the second time at Soldier Field, while Leinster prop Paddy McCarthy is in line for his Test debut off the bench.

In the pack, Farrell has chosen Jamie Osborne, Tommy O’Brien and James Lowe in the Ireland back three.

Stuart McCloskey will partner Garry Ringrose in midfield, while Munster’s Jack Crowley will start at out-half, partnering Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs.

Andrew Porter, captain Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong constitute the front row.

James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne are in the engine room, and a back row of Ryan Baird at blindside flanker, Josh van der Flier at openside and Jack Conan at number eight completing Ireland’s starting line-up.

Strong Irish bench

Farrell has strong options on the bench with Ronan Kelleher, the uncapped McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson and the returning Caelan Doris the forward replacements.

Craig Casey, Sam Prendergast and Bundee Aki will provide the backline reinforcements.

“A privilege to be back here”

As he looked forward to Saturday’s game against the All Blacks, Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell said:

“It is a real privilege to be back here in Chicago ahead of a huge game against New Zealand. The clashes with New Zealand over the years have been fantastic occasions and we’re expecting more of the same on Saturday.

“The historic nature of this game is something we are embracing and there’s great excitement in the squad, not least for Paddy McCarthy who is set to make his international debut this weekend. Paddy has made a great start to the season and his selection is testament to his impressive form. We wish him well and will all do our utmost to make it a special weekend for him and his family.”

Ireland (v New Zealand):

(Club/Province/Caps)

15. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(8)
14. Tommy O’Brien (UCD/Leinster)(2)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(67)
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(21)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(40)
10. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(26)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(43)

1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(75)
2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(32)(captain)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)(79)
4. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(72)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(61)
6. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(29)
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(73)
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(51)

Ireland Replacements:

16. Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(39)
17. Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)*
18. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)(51)
19. Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster)(85)
20. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster)(51)
21. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(20)
22. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(9)
23. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(65).

* denotes uncapped

The post Ireland Team v New Zealand on Saturday appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The eight-year-old son of Laverock gave jockey Keith Donoghue and trainer Gavin Cromwell a famous win in the 135th edition of the race.

Owned by the Furze Bush Syndicate, the winner of the Cross County Chase at Cheltenham, won by a length and three-quarters form High In The Sky and rider Jan Faltejsek.

Čáryjape was third home with Adam Čmiel in the saddle, while Cuwall and Jakub Kocman were fourth in the 15-horse contest.

STUMPTOWN creates Irish Racing history becoming the first Irish-trained horse to win the Velka Pardubice for @gavincromwell1 @donoghue_keith

Relive the race pic.twitter.com/2KPj0akiyH

— Tattersalls Ireland (@Tattersalls_ie) October 12, 2025

“He was great”

“I am thrilled. It was a tough race, but the horse managed it. He was great. We stayed at the back, which was not the plan, but we managed it,” winning rider Keith Donoghue told Czech TV Sport.

The Patrick Aspell-bred Stumptown had been pulled up on his most recent run, in the Aintree Grand National.

The Velká Pardubická, one of Europe’s most difficult races, is traditionally held every second Sunday of October.

The race, first run in 1874, measures 6,900 metres, has 31 obstacles, and is open to six-year-old and older horses.

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