THE $9 MILLION MAN
Record week for McDonald
JAMES McDonald created Melbourne Cup carnival history on Saturday, becoming the first jockey in 160 years to ride 10 winners across the week – with the collective prizemoney earned by the horses he rode totalling $9 million.
In a touching finale to a carnival that will never be forgotten, McDonald claimed four Group 1 winners over the four meetings, including two on the final day with Nature Strip in the Darley Sprint Classic and Zaaki in the Mackinnon Stakes.
The win on Zaaki was particularly special, as it took him past his childhood hero and great mate Brett Prebble (nine wins in 1999 and 2000) as the most successful jockey at a Flemington Cup carnival.
Fittingly, Prebble was right behind McDonald when he charged to the line in the Mackinnon Stakes, shouting encouragement and embracing him shortly after they passed the winning post.
“He is amazing, mate,” McDonald said of Prebble as he capped off arguably the most successful week of his sporting life, which included the “Holy Grail‘’ of a Melbourne Cup victory on Verry Elleegant.
“Obviously, Prebble was just beyond me (on runner-up Cascadian). He yelled out ‘Hey son, come here …’ It was a really special moment with him (on Saturday).”
McDonald first met Prebble when he was a teenager in 2005, and a photo from that time stands as a reminder of how far the young Kiwi has come in his journey.
In claiming the Ron Hutchinson Award, 29-year-old McDonald lived out his childhood dream.
His 10 wins, three seconds and three thirds from his 29 rides across Cup Week saw the connections of those mount earn $9,012,075.
Jockeys receive a mandatory five per cent of all prizemoney their mounts earn, which means McDonald has collected more than $450,000 – not accounting for any extra slings he would have received.
“It’s a fantastic thrill for me,” McDonald said.
“I couldn’t do it without the support of the trainers who put me on this week, and the horses I have been so lucky to partner with.
“It started off with the Coolmore domination (with boom colt Home Affairs on Saturday) and the Holy Grail and special one (with Verry Elleegant in the Melbourne Cup), and to be able to capitalise with two more (with Nature Strip and Zaaki) was unbelievable.”
Four of McDonald’s winners – Fangirl, Great House, Home Affairs and Minhaaj – came on Derby Day, while Profiteer and Verry Elleegant made for a memorable Cup day.
He rode two winners on Oaks Day – the super impressive Espiona and Djukon – while his Group 1 double on the final day gave him so much pleasure, given his close connection to Nature Strip and Zaaki.
Three weeks ago he won The Everest on Nature Strip, with connections of the star sprinter taking home more than $6 million.
McDonald had a forgettable Cox Plate day when Zaaki was scratched on race morning. But he resolved to make the most of Cup Week.
He did all of that and more, franking his reputation as the best rider in the country, all the while being driven on by some good-natured competition with Damien Oliver, who is 20 years his senior.
“Ollie put a bit of pressure on (with three Group 1s for the week), so I had to get one more,” McDonald joked.
He could barely wipe the grin off his face after Nature Strip’s effortless Darley Classic win, but reminded those asking him about equalling Prebble’s record: “I haven’t finished yet.
He was right two races later as he connected again with Zaaki to take out the Mackinnon Stakes.