Hong Kong racing’s biggest star once again etched his name into the history books on Sunday night, with Romantic Warrior producing a dominant performance to claim his fourth consecutive Group 1 Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin.
While the achievement itself was extraordinary, celebrations were briefly overshadowed by an alarming incident during the running of the race, when a protester gained access to the track while the field was still in motion.
With the horses charging down the course, swift action from Hong Kong Jockey Club officials prevented what could have been a far more serious situation. Assistant Race Starter Critta McMullen reacted immediately, sprinting onto the track and bringing the intruder to the ground before restraining him.
This is INCREDIBLE footage 🤯
A protester got on the track during the Hong Kong Cup but was luckily tackled down in time before anything dangerous happened 🙌pic.twitter.com/CMWXieEeJX
— The Winners Enclosure (@TWEnclosure) December 14, 2025
McMullen later detailed the incident when speaking on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up, explaining just how quickly events unfolded.
“We were watching the race, then we heard the crowd making a bit of noise, so we turned around and old mate was on the track,” McMullen explained.
“So, a couple of us got together and acted quite quickly, and got the situation under control as best as we could.
“My last recollection of seeing the horses on the big screen, they were in the back straight. So, it couldn’t have been too long before they were swinging for home.”
By engaging the protester near the outside rail, McMullen ensured the runners had clear passage as they thundered past, avoiding any interference to horses or jockeys.
The experienced official later acknowledged that the outcome could have been far worse, admitting the crew was fortunate to subdue the individual in a position that allowed the race to continue safely.
Despite the unexpected interruption, Romantic Warrior’s emphatic victory remained the centrepiece of the night, further cementing his status as one of the greatest performers in Hong Kong racing history.
