James McDonald is widely regarded as the best jockey in Australia racing at the moment, but how many times has he won the Melbourne Cup? Here, we look at J-Mac’s record in the race that stops a nation as we approach the 2025 edition.
James McDonald is widely regarded as the best jockey in Australian racing at the moment, but how many times has he won the Melbourne Cup? Here, we look at J-Mac’s record in the race that stops a nation.
James McDonald’s Melbourne Cup record
At only 32 years of age, McDonald has ridden some 91 Group 1 winners in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong. The star Kiwi has one Melbourne Cup win on the books having steered Verry Elleegant to success in the 2021 edition of the great race.
James Mcdonald’s Recent Melbourne Cup Rides
| Year | Placing | Horse | Trainer | Barrier | Weight | Odds | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 7/23 | Gold Trip | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 1 | 58.5kg | $18 | 23.3L |
| 2021 | 1/23 | Verry Elleegant | Chris Waller | 18 | 57kg | $18 | – |
| 2020 | 9/23 | Finche | Chris Waller | 6 | 54.5kg | $21 | 4.7L |
| 2019 | 18/24 | Latrobe | Joseph O’Brien | 22 | 55kg | $21 | 6.45L |
| 2018 | 11/24 | Yucatan | Aidan O’Brien | 23 | 54.5kg | $6 | 11.75L |
| 2016 | 3/24 | Hartnell | John O’Shea | 12 | 56kg | $5.50 | 4.45L |
| 2015 | 15/24 | Hartnell | John O’Shea | 17 | 55.5kg | $31 | 5.9L |
| 2014 | 5/23 | Willing Foe | Saeed Bin Suroor | 16 | 55kg | $31 | 7L |
| 2013 | 10/24 | Voleuse De Coeurs | Michael Moroney | 21 | 54kg | $18 | 7.95L |
| 2012 | 2/23 | Fiorente | Gai Waterhouse | 2 | 51.5kg | $31 | 1L |
Which horse is James McDonald riding in the 2025 Melbourne Cup?
James McDonald will be riding aboard Meydaan in the 2025 Melbourne Cup.
Meydaan
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Frankel (GB)
- Dam: Nezwaah (GB)