James McDonald

Match Practice Factor For Yes Yes Yes

Posted on September 13, 2019
in Australian Horse Racing News

There is no substitute for race fitness and that is trainer Chris Waller's only reservation ahead of the return of promising colt Yes Yes Yes in the Group Two Run To The Rose. Two of his main rivals at Rosehill on Saturday, race favourite Exceedance and second-elect Bivouac, both have runs on the board this[...]

Posted on September 4, 2019
in Australian Horse Racing News, New Zealand Horse Racing News

Exciting New Zealand galloper Te Akau Shark will kick-off his spring campaign in Australia on Saturday where he will contest the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in front of some of his local owners, including Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Captain Paul Gallen. The five-year-old son of Rip Van Winkle pleased connections with his runner-up performance[...]

Posted on September 3, 2019
in Australian Horse Racing News

Hopefully the Cronulla Sharks golden point loss to the Canberra Raiders is not an omen for spruik horse Te Akau Shark. The four-year-old, named for Sharks captain Paul Gallen, is the short-priced favourite for Saturday's Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick. After being beaten at the weekend, Cronulla will now play West Tigers on Sunday and[...]

Posted on August 26, 2019
in Australian Horse Racing News

James McDonald will ride Epsom Handicap favourite Te Akau Shark when he makes his Australian debut in the Tramway Stakes. Now Sydney's premier jockey, McDonald was formerly the stable rider for the powerful Te Akau operation in New Zealand. Te Akau Shark is the TAB's $6 favourite for the Epsom (1600m) at Randwick on October[...]

Posted on August 24, 2019
in Australian Horse Racing News

A fired-up Glen Boss was adamant Superium should have been declared the winner of the Up And Coming Stakes after the horse lost the race in the stewards' room. Superium was first past the post by a head over True Detective but the latter's jockey James McDonald protested, arguing Superium shifted out over the final[...]

Posted on August 20, 2019
in Australian Horse Racing News

Dual Group One winner Verry Elleegant has galloped freely ahead of her assignment in the Winx Stakes after a slight scare. The mare pulled off one of her shoes last Thursday and missed a race day gallop on Saturday with some tenderness in the foot. James McDonald, who rode Verry Elleegant to two Group One[...]

Posted on August 16, 2019
in Australian Horse Racing News

Mounting yard watchers would recognise Velocita as the horse with the strange leg action but for connections, her exaggerated gait is just part of her uniqueness. The mare suffers from a condition known as Stringhalt, which causes the sudden flexion of one or both hind legs when a horse is walking. It looks a little[...]

Posted on August 15, 2019
in Australian Horse Racing News

Champion Winx has again been celebrated as the NSW horse of the year for her final season during which she was again unbeaten. The mare has been named the NSW miler and middle distance horse of the year in addition to the top honour at the NSW Racehorse Owners event in Sydney on Thursday. Her[...]

Posted on August 15, 2019
in Australian Horse Racing News

A lightly raced European import with form around one of the world's best racehorses will add to the spring carnival flavour at Randwick when he makes his Australian debut. Wren's Day finished second in last year's Group One Prix Ganay in France under the care of trainer Andre Fabre, beating all bar Cracksman who was[...]

Posted on August 14, 2019
in Australian Horse Racing News

Spring will be in the air at Randwick when a number of high-profile horses from some of Sydney's biggest stables ramp up their preparations with exhibition gallops. Heading the charge is Cox Plate fancy Verry Elleegant, who will have James McDonald in the saddle when she works over 1000m with her Chris Waller-trained stablemates Youngstar,[...]

Posted on August 2, 2019
in Australian Horse Racing News

John Thompson will usher in the new season with two winning chances at Randwick and an opportunity to bolster his spring carnival stocks. Doncaster Mile runner-up Dreamforce will be the primary flag-bearer for the trainer in the coming months and is just weeks away from a return. He was given a quiet barrier trial at[...]

Posted on August 2, 2019
in Australian Horse Racing News

On the back of an eye-catching barrier trial win, well-bred filly Art Collection is set to return to racing at Randwick with her co-trainer Tom Dabernig believing the filly has come back bigger and stronger for this campaign. A three-year-old half-sister to 2013/14 Australian Horse of the Year Lankan Rupee, Art Collection won a recent[...]

Posted on June 9, 2019
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Ocean Park gelding Kolding has emerged as the latest New Zealand-bred star for Queensland owner Neville Morgan, extending his winning sequence to four with a brilliant win in Saturday's Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm. Carrying the same colours as multiple Group 1-winning New Zealand-breds Kermadec and Rangirangdoo, Kolding produced an irresistible surge[...]

Posted on May 15, 2019
in Australian Horse Racing News

James McDonald has ridden his 100th Sydney metropolitan winner for the season on the anniversary of his comeback to the saddle after a ban for betting. Capping an almost seamless return since rebooting his career at the corresponding Warwick Farm meeting last year, McDonald brought up his milestone on the John Thompson-trained Primitivo. In reaching[...]

Posted on May 11, 2019
in Australian Horse Racing News

Jockey James McDonald produced one of his best rides to win on Dubious before declaring the colt was ready to tackle the remaining big-name two-year-old races during the Brisbane winter carnival. After being in a pocket in the straight, McDonald got Dubious ($2.80) into the clear and he was far too good for the dead-heaters[...]

Match Practice Factor For Yes Yes Yes

The Shark set for Australian debut

Te Akau Shark Primed For Tramway Stakes

James Mcdonald To Ride Te Akau Shark

Boss Unhappy At Superium Protest Decision

Verry Elleegant Ready For Winx Stakes

Velocita Set To Strut Her Stuff

Winx, Waller Big Winners At Nsw Awards

Wren’s Day Set To Step Out For Godolphin

Spring Stars On Show At Kensington Meeting

John Thompson To Survey His Kingdom

Art Collection Chasing Maiden Win First-Up

Kiwi-bred Kolding shines in Queensland Guineas

Mcdonald Lands 100th Sydney Metro Winner

Mcdonald’s Champagne Ride In Group 2 Classic

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