James McDonald

Nature Strip Drama Overshadows 2YO Trials

Posted on September 21, 2020
in Australian Horse Racing News

The new-season juveniles stepped out at the official two-year-old trials at Randwick but it was a mishap by Nature Strip that attracted attention.

Posted on September 14, 2020
in Australian Horse Racing News

Co-trainer Gerald Ryan has secured the services of top jockey James McDonald to partner Standout when the sprinter kicks off his campaign at Randwick.

Posted on September 12, 2020
in Australian Horse Racing News

A masterful training performance by Chris Waller has helped Haut Brion Her make a winning return at Rosehill after a year on the sidelines.

Posted on August 29, 2020
in Australian Horse Racing News

Ciaron Maher headed to Rosehill suspecting Anders might be the ace in his pack and the colt has proven him right, making a one-act affair of the Group Three San Domenico Stakes. The race was expected to be hotly contested with four of the six runners starting at $6 and under. But Anders ($2.80 equal[...]

Posted on August 29, 2020
in Australian Horse Racing News

Improving mare Dancing Gidget has relished a return to a dry track to take out the opening race at Rosehill and remain in the running for the $7.5 million Golden Eagle. Trainer Chris Waller confirmed Dancing Gidget was among a group of horses the stable had entered for the rich race and she would be[...]

Posted on August 26, 2020
in Australian Horse Racing News

Full brothers Criaderas and Suave have posted victories on the same midweek card at Randwick to contribute to a winning day for racing powerhouse Godolphin. The duo are by Lonhro out of grand producer Youthful Presence whose nine foals to race are all winners, including Group One performers Hauraki and Kidnapped. Four-year-old Criaderas is a[...]

Posted on August 24, 2020
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Trainer Nick Bishara admitted he woke up on Sunday morning and had to check his phone to make sure what he had seen at Royal Randwick on Saturday had actually taken place. Bishara was the original trainer of now multiple Group 1 winner Verry Elleegant during the three starts she had in New Zealand before[...]

Posted on August 22, 2020
in Australian Horse Racing News

The handicapper will determine whether Verry Elleegant gets a chance to deliver trainer Chris Waller his first Melbourne Cup but there is little doubt the mare is set for an outstanding spring. Verry Elleegant made a spectacular return at Randwick on Saturday to beat a high-class field in the Winx Stakes (1400m), overcoming a wide[...]

Posted on August 21, 2020
in Australian Horse Racing News

Premier jockey James McDonald will be out to capitalise on a stellar book of rides at Randwick where he will be aboard four of the nine early favourites. While his Group One mount Verry Elleegant has been deposed as the top fancy for her return in the Winx Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, Desert Path, New[...]

Posted on August 19, 2020
in Australian Horse Racing News

Premier jockey James McDonald has given a glowing endorsement of Godolphin filly Raison D’Etre, who will head towards black-type races after her winning return at Canterbury. Taking on a smart midweek field, Raison D’Etre ($3.30) controlled the race and extended her advantage in the straight to post a runaway three-length win in Wednesday’s Bowermans Commercial[...]

Posted on August 18, 2020
in Australian Horse Racing News

It is all systems go for superstar Nature Strip, who was again streets ahead of his rivals in winning a 900 metre barrier trial at Rosehill. Stepping out for his second public appearance this season on Tuesday, Nature Strip pressed forward from a deep draw under regular rider James McDonald. McDonald quickly had the world’s[...]

Posted on August 15, 2020
in Australian Horse Racing News

Hawkes Racing colt North Pacific has rocketed into Golden Rose favouritism with a stunning victory in the Group Three Up And Coming Stakes at Randwick. Bookmakers reacted immediately to his thumping 5-1/4 length win on Saturday, the TAB winding him in from $11 to $3.50 to depose Golden Slipper winner Farnan at the top of[...]

Posted on August 13, 2020
in Australian Horse Racing News

Regally-bred colt Bucharest has kicked off his career with an impressive win over 1500 metres at Newcastle. The sixth foal to race out of five-time Group One winner Miss Finland, Bucharest looked comfortable to hold out his more favoured Chris Waller-trained stablemate Zarzou. After a slightly tardy start, the Arrowfield-bred and retained colt hunted through[...]

Posted on August 5, 2020
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

South Auckland trainer Nicholas Bishara had every confidence that his former stable star Verry Elleegant would get better with time and he believes her five-year-old season will be her best yet. While the daughter of Zed has already recorded three Group 1 victories, she has shown signs of immaturity throughout her career and her former[...]

Posted on August 4, 2020
in Australian Horse Racing News

Nature Strip has ticked the first box in his march towards The Everest with a comfortable barrier trial win at Rosehill. Partnered by regular rider James McDonald, the star sprinter raced on the speed and was not let off the bridle to win Tuesday’s 900m heat by three lengths. He is scheduled to resume in[...]

Posted on July 3, 2020
in Australian Horse Racing News

Leading Sydney jockey James McDonald has had a three-week riding ban reduced to seven days by the Racing NSW Appeals Panel. The panel upheld the stewards’ decision that McDonald’s effort on beaten favourite Threeood at Randwick last month breached the running and handling rule but reduced his penalty by two-thirds. McDonald was originally suspended for[...]

Posted on July 2, 2020
in Australian Horse Racing News

Matt Dunn is facing a significant career decision as the country NSW trainer contemplates a possible move to Sydney. Based at Murwillumbah in the NSW northern rivers region, Dunn has had a small team of metropolitan-class horses stabled in Sydney during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overseen by his wife Keira, the city squad has enjoyed good[...]

Nature Strip Drama Overshadows 2YO Trials

McDonald To Link With Standout In Shorts

Haut Brion Her Returns A Winner In Sheraco

Speedy Anders Emerges As Everest Contender

Dancing Gidget Shows Right Moves To Score

Godolphin Brotherhood Reigns At Randwick

Bishara still pinching himself after Verry Elleegant victory

Verry Good Mare Outclasses Rich Group 1 Field

McDonald In Sweet Position At Randwick

Important First Up Win For Raison D’Etre

Nature Strip Warms Up With Trial Win

Rising Star North Pacific On Golden Path

Son Of A Gun Scores Smart Win On Debut

Verry exciting spring instore for talented mare

Nature Strip Stars With Impressive Trial

McDonald Suspension Term Shaved On Appeal

Top Country Trainer Weighing Up City Shift

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