Romantic Warrior showed style in Sha Tin on Sunday morning as he claimed an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory in the HK$40 million Group 1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m).
Hong Kong International Sales graduate Romantic Warrior has now reached a total of 11 Group 1s in four different jurisdictions, as the seven-year-old ridden by James McDonald claimed a convincing length and three-quarter winner against Bellagio Opera in his latest Group 1 success.
McDonald broke well and sat just behind a strong pace set largely by Joseph O’Brien’s Galen, whose runner Dylan Browne McMonagle tried to get the first run on the field as the group of seven entered the home stretch.
Romantic Warrior was traveling well within himself and with 400m to go he was in front and was never going to be overtaken despite the late challenge from the Bellagio Opera House, 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 very hard. It’s a big relief. It always gives me a lot of happiness, not only me but my stable, the owners, my family and in Hong Kong, even racing fans or not, they all love Romantic Warrior.
“To be honest, there was a lot of pressure. He had surgery (a screw was inserted in his left front leg at the end of May), but he is such a good horse, calm and adorable. He is 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 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 | #HKRaceing pic.twitter.com/f2sEElvud7
– At the Races (@AtTheRaces) December 14, 2025
Romantic Warrior will likely be targeted for another clash with Forever Young, who he pushed to the line in that famous Group 1 Arabian Cup (1800m, dirt) showdown earlier this year.
“He’s so special.”
Successful horseman James McDonald summed up his admiration for Romantic Warrior by saying:
“He’s so special, he’s so special. He’s just a monster. I don’t know what to say. I love him. I love him.”
Dylan Browne McMonagle, the Joseph O’Brien-trained Galen rider who beat 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 a bit wide and he didn’t go as well as usual, which meant I had to work a bit in the first turn. But I found a good rhythm and he was strong all the way to the line.”
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