The richest race in the world became a race for the ages on Saturday, as Forever Young and Romantic Warrior fulfilled hopes of an epic clash in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1).

Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior had already established his credentials as a globetrotter by winning Australia’s Cox Plate (G1), but Sunday’s Yasuda Kinen (G1) at Tokyo confirmed his entry into the pantheon.

By demolishing an international cast in Sunday’s Hong Kong Cup (G1), Romantic Warrior completed a rare treble at Sha Tin.

Japan has won three straight runnings of the Hong Kong Cup (G1), and five of the past seven. But the home defense is led by the exceptional Romantic Warrior.