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Ranking James McDonald’s 11 wins from the Flemington Carnival
Andrew Slevison • November 11th, 2024 10:27 pm
James McDonald was simply superb across the four-day Flemington Carnival.
‘J-Mac’, as he is affectionately known, won a record 11 races over Derby Day, Melbourne Cup Day, Oaks Day and Champions Day.
He broke his own 10-win record, which was set in 2021, by riding four winners on the final day including a seemingly effortless Champions Stakes win aboard Cox Plate champion Via Sistina.
To pay tribute to the star hoop, we’ve ranked his 11 victories by using a mix of significance of the race, the quality of his ride and the story involved.
### 1 - VIA SISTINA - Champions Stakes (G1)
This race, if the Cox Plate hadn’t already, crowned her status as the country’s best weight-for-age horse.
J-Mac and Via Sistina did the job for the punters who no doubt had her lined up as the last leg of endless multis.
It equalled his own record of 10 wins and was a triumph of true celebration.
### 2 - SWITZERLAND - Coolmore Stud Stakes (G1)
This win made it four of the last five Coolmores for McDonald.
It was a ridiculous win from Switzerland and a nice ride from J-Mac. He followed Growing Empire everywhere, eased off his heels then went bang!
The jockey himself rated it as his best ride of the carnival.
[__BEST RIDE? FAVOURITE WINNER? THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY? JAMES MCDONALD CATEGORISES HIS ASTONISHING FLEMINGTON CARNIVAL__](https://sen.lu/3CiKPh8)
### 3 - SUNSHINE IN PARIS - Champions Sprint (G1)
Arguably the gutsiest ride of the carnival.
Weaved his way across to the middle of the track from barrier 9, then somehow found a needle-eye gap on the mare between Baraqiel and Stretan Angel.
It was audacious to think he could get through, but ultimately a move that worked out perfectly.
### 4 - ATISHU - Empire Rose (G1)
A great ride again.
He presented Atishu at the right time before powering her home over Amelia’s Jewel in a ding-dong battle.
The pair were second in the race to Pride Of Jenni last year, so there would have been plenty of satisfaction going one better a year later.
### 5 - AMELITA - Red Roses Stakes (G3)
Excellent ride again, arguably his best.
Weaved in and out of traffic, presented her to outside and flew over the top in a Group 3.
Initially had this lower but upon reflection re-ranked it due to the sheer quality of the ride which was supreme.
Amelita is just not a known commodity in Melbourne so it probably flew under the radar a little.
### 6 - HINGED - Matriarch Stakes (Group 2)
He absolutely willed Hinged to the line in the G2 Matriarch.
The pair were seventh at the 800m and still seventh at the 400m, but Hinged flew home to nail Sirileo Miss on the line.
Hinged hadn’t won since February 22.
### 7 - PISANELLO - Grand Handicap (BM80)
Have you ever heard such a roar for a Benchmark 80?
J-Mac broke his own record of Flemington Carnival winners by booting home the favourite in the last.
The packed Flemington crowd went ballistic.
### 8 - LIGHT INFANTRY MAN - Chester Manifold Stakes (Listed)
We’re nit-picking down here now.
There was a big tip around from owner Johnny O’Neill and it duly delivered.
The horse had been unplaced in seven Australian starts prior before bolting in on Oaks Day under McDonald.
### 9 - AELIANA - Carbine Club Stakes (G3)
Kicked punters off on Derby Day with a $5 winner.
Came from last with a leg in the air. Most were on Feroce but plenty were with JMac and Aeliana.
### 10 - CLOUDLAND - Subzero Handicap (BM90)
Won the grey’s race on Cup Day on a firm favourite.
No disrespect to the winning connections and trainer Kris Lees, but this didn’t overly capture the imagination.
Punters rejoiced though! Again.
### 11 - OPENING ADDRESS - TAB Trophy (Listed)
No consequence overall, and not to denigrate Liam Howley and connections, but not one to attract the headlines.
Nonetheless, a nice win in a $175,000 race.
‘J-Mac’, as he is affectionately known, won a record 11 races over Derby Day, Melbourne Cup Day, Oaks Day and Champions Day.
He broke his own 10-win record, which was set in 2021, by riding four winners on the final day including a seemingly effortless Champions Stakes win aboard Cox Plate champion Via Sistina.
To pay tribute to the star hoop, we’ve ranked his 11 victories by using a mix of significance of the race, the quality of his ride and the story involved.
### 1 - VIA SISTINA - Champions Stakes (G1)
This race, if the Cox Plate hadn’t already, crowned her status as the country’s best weight-for-age horse.
J-Mac and Via Sistina did the job for the punters who no doubt had her lined up as the last leg of endless multis.
It equalled his own record of 10 wins and was a triumph of true celebration.
### 2 - SWITZERLAND - Coolmore Stud Stakes (G1)
This win made it four of the last five Coolmores for McDonald.
It was a ridiculous win from Switzerland and a nice ride from J-Mac. He followed Growing Empire everywhere, eased off his heels then went bang!
The jockey himself rated it as his best ride of the carnival.
[__BEST RIDE? FAVOURITE WINNER? THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY? JAMES MCDONALD CATEGORISES HIS ASTONISHING FLEMINGTON CARNIVAL__](https://sen.lu/3CiKPh8)
### 3 - SUNSHINE IN PARIS - Champions Sprint (G1)
Arguably the gutsiest ride of the carnival.
Weaved his way across to the middle of the track from barrier 9, then somehow found a needle-eye gap on the mare between Baraqiel and Stretan Angel.
It was audacious to think he could get through, but ultimately a move that worked out perfectly.
### 4 - ATISHU - Empire Rose (G1)
A great ride again.
He presented Atishu at the right time before powering her home over Amelia’s Jewel in a ding-dong battle.
The pair were second in the race to Pride Of Jenni last year, so there would have been plenty of satisfaction going one better a year later.
### 5 - AMELITA - Red Roses Stakes (G3)
Excellent ride again, arguably his best.
Weaved in and out of traffic, presented her to outside and flew over the top in a Group 3.
Initially had this lower but upon reflection re-ranked it due to the sheer quality of the ride which was supreme.
Amelita is just not a known commodity in Melbourne so it probably flew under the radar a little.
### 6 - HINGED - Matriarch Stakes (Group 2)
He absolutely willed Hinged to the line in the G2 Matriarch.
The pair were seventh at the 800m and still seventh at the 400m, but Hinged flew home to nail Sirileo Miss on the line.
Hinged hadn’t won since February 22.
### 7 - PISANELLO - Grand Handicap (BM80)
Have you ever heard such a roar for a Benchmark 80?
J-Mac broke his own record of Flemington Carnival winners by booting home the favourite in the last.
The packed Flemington crowd went ballistic.
### 8 - LIGHT INFANTRY MAN - Chester Manifold Stakes (Listed)
We’re nit-picking down here now.
There was a big tip around from owner Johnny O’Neill and it duly delivered.
The horse had been unplaced in seven Australian starts prior before bolting in on Oaks Day under McDonald.
### 9 - AELIANA - Carbine Club Stakes (G3)
Kicked punters off on Derby Day with a $5 winner.
Came from last with a leg in the air. Most were on Feroce but plenty were with JMac and Aeliana.
### 10 - CLOUDLAND - Subzero Handicap (BM90)
Won the grey’s race on Cup Day on a firm favourite.
No disrespect to the winning connections and trainer Kris Lees, but this didn’t overly capture the imagination.
Punters rejoiced though! Again.
### 11 - OPENING ADDRESS - TAB Trophy (Listed)
No consequence overall, and not to denigrate Liam Howley and connections, but not one to attract the headlines.
Nonetheless, a nice win in a $175,000 race.
