A recent recipient of the the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Award for the second time in three years, James McDonald pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding that contributed to the Lyle Hewitson accident in the ninth race at Sha Tin on Sunday.
James McDonald pleaded guilty (Pic – HKJC)
McDonald was aboard the eventual winner Swift Ascend and pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 450m marker of the 1200m race, he directed his mount out to the outside of Charming Babe when not clear of Lucky Archangel, resulting in Swift Ascend making heavy contact with Lucky Archangel and taking that horse across the running of Hewitson’s mount Joyful Hunter, resulting in Joyful Hunter falling and Hewitson being dislodged.
Hewitson was transported to hospital for treatment and appears to have escaped serious injury. There has been no report on the condition of Joyful Hunter.
McDonald was suspended from riding in races for a period commencing on Thursday 26 December 2024 and expiring on Thursday 16 January 2025 on which day he may resume race riding. This is a total of 7 Hong Kong racedays.
In addition, McDonald was fined HK$60 000 – the approximate equivalent of R145 000.
In assessing the penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness (grade 3) and the consequences (grade 5), and also considered McDonald’s very good race riding record.
McDonald is scheduled to return home to Sydney on 22 December, so the suspension allows him to complete his Hong Kong stint.
A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found Swift Ascend to be a ‘roarer’ which had previously been reported.
Ed – Roaring (laryngeal hemiplegia) is a condition in horses that greatly reduces their airflow during exercise. Affected horses make a ‘roar’ sound under work. Damage or breakdown of the laryngeal nerve causes roaring. The term laryngeal hemiplegia means paralysis of half of the larynx.
