McDonald Is Longines World’s Best Jockey

Only four SA jockeys appear on the list of the world’s best jockeys.

Each year, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and LONGINES present to the jockey with the best performance in the world’s highest-rated races, the LONGINES World’s best jockey award.

Only two SA  races, in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and the L’Ormarins King’s Plate. have a ranking in the top 100.

SA jockeys Aldo Domeyer, Piere Strydom, Muzi Yeni and Smanga Khumalo get an honorary ranking as a result of their finishing positions in the two aforementioned contests.

Domeyer rode Charles Dickens to beat See It Again (Strydom) in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, while Muzi Yeni piloted Dave The King to victory over Cousin Casey (Khumalo) in the 2024 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge.

Here are the top 100 races.

The scoring for the award is based upon performances in the 100 highest-rated Group 1 and Grade 1 races established for the year by the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee.

The scoring incorporates races from 1 December of the previous year until 30 November of the current year. Jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, 6 points for placing second, and 4 points for placing third.

For the second time it was James McDonald who solidified his status as one of the world’s finest jockeys at the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival, setting new records and ultimately claiming his second Longines World’s Best Jockey title in the process.

At Flemington during Cup Week, McDonald rode a phenomenal 11 winners across the Carnival’s four days, surpassing his own record of 10 set in 2021.

His triumphs included four Group 1 victories: Atishu in the TAB Empire Rose Stakes, Switzerland in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, Sunshine In Paris in the Darley Champions Sprint and Via Sistina in the TAB Champions Stakes. He also partnered Hinged to success in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes and closed the week with a victory on Pisanello in the final race.

James McDonald and Via Sistina in winning action (Pic – Supplied)

Reflecting on his historic week, McDonald expressed both pride and humility: “It means a lot. It should have been 15, as I butchered four,” he said. “It’s a privilege and an honour to ride here this week. Great atmosphere, the crowds make it so much fun.

These four days are very special. The colour, the vibe, everything about it is special. It’s one of the best in racing.”

McDonald’s four victories on TAB Champions Day marked the fourth time in his career he has achieved such a feat at the Melbourne Cup Carnival. He capped off the week by winning the Ron Hutchinson Award for the leading rider of Cup Week, his fourth straight year winning the award.

McDonald’s dream week also secured him the 2024 Longines World’s Best Jockey title. With four Group 1 wins and a third-place finish aboard Fangirl in the Champions Mile, McDonald amassed 160 points, edging out rival Ryan Moore, who finished with 150 points.

The World’s Best Jockey title recognises winners of premier races across the globe, and McDonald’s consistency at the highest level proved decisive. Moore, who has won the accolade five times, needed a victory aboard Auguste Rodin in the Japan Cup to overtake McDonald but fell short as local star Do Deuce, ridden by Japanese legend Yutaka Take, claimed the race.

McDonald, who previously won the title in 2022, acknowledged the immense support behind his success. “I ride for some brilliant trainers, I get on the best horses, and I’m lucky to be able to drive them. I steer them around a white rail and hope for the best – they do the rest.”