FWD QEII CUP – POST-RACE JOCKEY QUOTES

By Hong Kong Jockey Club | Sunday, April 26, 2026

ROMANTIC WARRIOR – James McDonald

“It was touted to be his toughest test. I’ve got to pay Danny (Shum) and his team so much admiration for how he’s got this horse ready. He’s just a dream come true; he’s literally a dream come true for us. I’m the lucky one to be riding him, and Danny’s the lucky one to be training him. Just anything you have to do with this horse, it’s what dreams are made of.

“He’s got plenty of life in his legs yet! An absolute privilege.”

MASQUERADE BALL – Christophe Lemaire

“It was a close on. The pace wasn’t that strong, but he showed a great turn of foot in the last 200 to 300 metres. I think he’ll keep improving going forward.”

SOSIE – Maxime Guyon

“We had a perfect race. He went really good. Just the two horses in front of me were really good. But for the first time for him. He’s perfect. He can improve after this run and he can win a Group 1 this year again.”

ROYAL CHAMPION – Oisin Murphy

“Big run, obviously hot field. He did everything nicely. Proud of him.”

GIOVANNI – Jason Collett

“Great run. Outside lead, just outsprinted when they went, but coming in late, he’ll be good back in Japan in grade.

RUBYLOT – Hugh Bowman

“We thought he’d run well and he did.”

NUMBERS – Derek Leung

“He went very good. Everything was suitable for him. At the moment, just a little bit too strong for him.”

JUNE TAKE – Joao Moreira

“He didn’t jump all that well so then I was forced to take him back as predicted, anyway. And as wee were approaching 1900 metres, he started travelling a bit strong. That probably just took a little bit of his finishing.”

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