James McDonald was speechless and Danny Shum Chap-shing felt great relief as champion galloper Romantic Warrior created history again with a fourth straight Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) triumph.

Romantic Warrior became the first galloper to win four features at the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) when he cruised to victory over Japan’s Bellagio Opera at Sha Tin on Sunday.

“He’s so special. He’s just a freak,” McDonald said after guiding Romantic Warrior to an 11th Group One success.

“I don’t know what to say honestly. I just love him.”

Sent off the $1.1 favourite, Romantic Warrior settled one off the rail in third behind pacesetter Galen and Chancheng Glory before McDonald made his move out wide on the turn.

The rising eight-year-old shot to the lead at the top of the straight and put a margin on his rivals, eventually scoring by one and three-quarter lengths from the $9.4 second elect Bellagio Opera.

They cleared out from the other five runners, with French mare Quisisana beaten more than five lengths in third.

In notching the 20th win of his incredible career, Romantic Warrior’s world record for prize money won by a racehorse ticked over a staggering HK$240 million.

He needed surgery on a fetlock injury in May but shrugged off the setback to return in a blaze of glory in last month’s Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2,000m).

“I’m so proud of Romantic Warrior. I’m so proud of my stable team, they work very hard,” Shum said.

“He always gives me a lot of happiness. Not just me – my stable, owners, my family and Hong Kong racing fans and even non-racing fans. They all love Romantic Warrior.”

Shum admitted he felt “a lot of pressure” heading into Romantic Warrior’s Cup tilt.

“It’s a big relief. He’s part of my family actually. My son said I love Romantic Warrior more than him,” the veteran handler said.

“He’s amazing. I don’t know how to tell you, but I love him. Hong Kong people all love him.”

Romantic Warrior is on track to return to the Middle East in 2026, with redemption in the world’s richest race – the US$20 million (HK$155.6 million) Saudi Cup (1,800m) in February – on the agenda.

The son of Acclamation ran a narrow second to Japan’s dirt star Forever Young in the Saudi Cup earlier this year.

“The plan is always made by the owner, Peter [Lau Pak-fai], because Peter has a very good vision. We all trust him,” Shum said.

“If he says ‘Danny, go to Saudi’, I will go to Saudi. If he says ‘Danny, stay in Hong Kong’, I will stay in Hong Kong. We have a good team – owner, trainer, jockey and stable team and I trust Peter a lot.”

A return to Dubai for the Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m) or Group One Dubai World Cup (2,000m) on dirt in April is also on the cards for Romantic Warrior.

He capped a treble for McDonald on Sunday, with the Kiwi star also striking on Helene Supafeeling in the Class Three Snow Fairy Handicap (1,200m) and Prestige Good in the Class Three Jim And Tonic Handicap (1,800m).

Jockey Kazuo Yokoyama was proud of Bellagio Opera. “I think he gave everything he had and really showed his ability. The winner was a truly outstanding horse,” he said.