There aren’t too many accolades missing from expat Kiwi jockey James McDonald’s mantle, but recognition from his home country’s sporting industry has been one, and that has finally been rectified with his announcement as a finalist for the ISPS HANDA Halberg Sportsman of the Year.
McDonald, who will end a short-term riding contract in Hong Kong this weekend, has had a year to remember in the saddle, culminating with securing his second LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Award in Hong Kong earlier this month, having won the title for the first time in 2022.
He won nine of the world’s top 100 Group One features from December 2023 until November 30, 2024, including the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (Romantic Warrior), Stewards’ Cup (Voyage Bubble), Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (Romantic Warrior), Ranvet Stakes (Via Sistina), FWD QEII Cup (Romantic Warrior), Yasuda Kinen (Romantic Warrior), W.S. Cox Plate (Via Sistina), VRC Champions Sprint (Sunshine in Paris) and VRC Champions Stakes (Via Sistina).
The 32-year-old held on to win the award by just 10 points from four-time winner, Englishman Ryan Moore (150), with William Buick third with 105 points.
McDonald has become a household name in world racing, making his mark in his homeland before moving to Sydney more than 10 years ago where he has left an impression on the Australian racing landscape, and he has become one the most revered jockeys in the world.
For his deeds, McDonald became the youngest inductee to the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame in 2021 as a 29-year-old, and he has continued his ascent in world racing, subsequently adding two LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Awards to his name.
McDonald commenced raceday riding in August 2007 and scored his first victory aboard Johnnie The Sand at Te Rapa later that month for his father Brett and training partner Alan Jones.
In April the following year he recorded his first Group One victory aboard Special Mission for trainer Peter McKay in the New Zealand Bloodstock Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha, and he has gone on to win a further 105 elite-level races around the world, including Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.
To be recognised by New Zealand’s sporting industry, in an Olympic year, has been a massive feat for McDonald, who was humbled by the announcement.
“I am extremely proud to be recognised as one of New Zealand’s top sportsmen,” he said. “This means as much personally as it does for our racing industry, to be recognised alongside other mainstream professional sports.”
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chief executive Bruce Sharrock said it was a momentous day for New Zealand racing.
“It is a significant day for racing to be recognised alongside our country’s best athletes at our premier sporting awards,” Sharrock said. “James is a genuine World Champion, and we are all proud of what he has achieved on the track as an ambassador for both racing in New Zealand and across the globe.”
The ISPS HANDA Halberg Sportsman of the Year category has eight finalists, including Olympic Gold medallists Hamish Kerr (athletics-field) and Finn Butcher (canoe slalom), Hayden Wilde (triathlon), Chris Wood (football), Ben Richards (snow sports), Fergus Eadie (surf lifesaving), Rocco Jamieson (snow sports), and James McDonald (horse racing), with the winner also eligible for the Supreme Halberg Award.
The winners will be announced during a prestigious black-tie evening at Spark Arena, Auckland, on Tuesday 18 February 2025. The event will also crown the inaugural Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award, Sport New Zealand’s Leadership Award and the only publicly voted Award – New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment. The ceremony will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and free-to-air on Sky Open from 8pm.
