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World’s leading jockey gets Halberg nod
Sport Nation • December 19th, 2024 6:00 pm
Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club
There aren’t too many accolades missing from expat Kiwi jockey James McDonald’s mantle, but recognition from his home country’s sporting industry has been one, and that has finally been rectified with his announcement as a finalist for the Halberg Sportsman of the Year.
McDonald, who will end a short-term riding contract in Hong Kong this weekend, has had a year to remember in the saddle, culminating with securing his second World’s Best Jockey Award in Hong Kong earlier this month, having won the title for the first time in 2022.
He won nine of the world's top 100 Group One features from December 2023 until November 30, 2024, including the Hong Kong Cup (Romantic Warrior), Stewards' Cup (Voyage Bubble), Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (Romantic Warrior), Ranvet Stakes (Via Sistina), FWD QEII Cup (Romantic Warrior), Yasuda Kinen (Romantic Warrior), W.S. Cox Plate (Via Sistina), VRC Champions Sprint (Sunshine in Paris) and VRC Champions Stakes (Via Sistina).
The 32-year-old held on to win the award by just 10 points from four-time winner, Englishman Ryan Moore (150), with William Buick third with 105 points.
McDonald has become a household name in world racing, making his mark in his homeland before moving to Sydney more than 10 years ago where he has left an impression on the Australian racing landscape, and he has become one the most revered jockeys in the world.
For his deeds, McDonald became the youngest inductee to the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame in 2021 as a 29-year-old, and he has continued his ascent in world racing, subsequently adding two World’s Best Jockey Awards to his name.
McDonald commenced raceday riding in August 2007 and scored his first victory aboard Johnnie The Sand at Te Rapa later that month for his father Brett and training partner Alan Jones.
In April the following year he recorded his first Group One victory aboard Special Mission for trainer Peter McKay in the New Zealand Bloodstock Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha, and he has gone on to win a further 105 elite-level races around the world, including Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.
To be recognised by New Zealand’s sporting industry, in an Olympic year, has been a massive feat for McDonald, who was humbled by the announcement.
“I am extremely proud to be recognised as one of New Zealand’s top sportsmen,” he said. “This means as much personally as it does for our racing industry, to be recognised alongside other mainstream professional sports.”
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chief executive Bruce Sharrock said it was a momentous day for New Zealand racing.
“It is a significant day for racing to be recognised alongside our country’s best athletes at our premier sporting awards,” Sharrock said. “James is a genuine World Champion, and we are all proud of what he has achieved on the track as an ambassador for both racing in New Zealand and across the globe.”
The Halberg winners will be announced during a prestigious black-tie evening at Auckland's Spark Arena on February 18. The event will also crown the inaugural Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award, Sport New Zealand’s Leadership Award and the only publicly voted Award - New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment.
James McDonald gets his long-awaited Halberg nomination | Sport Nation
62nd Halberg Awards Finalists
Sportswoman of the Year: Ellesse Andrews (track cycling), Bryony Botha (track cycling), Dame Lisa Carrington (canoe racing), Zoe Crawford (surf lifesaving), Sarah Hirini (rugby sevens), Amelia Kerr (cricket), Lydia Ko (golf), Caitlin O’Reilly (marathon swimming), Risealeaana Pouri-Lane (rugby sevens), Alice Robinson (snow sports), Erin Routliffe (tennis), Emma Twigg (rowing), Maddison-Lee Wesche (shotput), Ally Wollaston (track cycling).
Sportsman of the Year: Finn Butcher (kayak cross), Fergus Eadie (surf lifesaving), Rocco Jamieson, (snow sports), Hamish Kerr (high jump), James McDonald (horse racing), Ben Richards (snow sports), Hayden Wilde (triathlon), Chris Wood (football).
Para Athlete/Para Team of the Year: Danielle Aitchison (Para athletics), Peter Cowan (Para va’a/ waka ama), Anna Grimaldi (Para athletics), Adam Hall (Para snow sports), Holly Robinson (Para athletics), Anna Taylor (Para cycling), Nicole Murray (Para cycling), William Stedman (Para athletics).
Team of the Year: Blackcaps, Black Ferns (rugby sevens), Lucy Spoors & Brooke Francis (rowing), Emirates Team New Zealand (sailing), Men’s 49er (sailing), Men’s Coxless Four (rowing), Mixed Nacra 17 (sailing), New Zealand U17 Men’s Team (basketball), Paddle Ferns (canoe polo), White Ferns (cricket), Women’s K2 Sprint Kayak (canoe racing), Women’s K4 Sprint Kayak (canoe racing), Women’s Team Pursuit (track cycling), Women’s Team Sprint (track cycling).
Buddle Findlay Coach of the Year: Jon Andrews (track cycling), Nils Coberger (snow sports), James Coote (rowing), Ray Davies (sailing), Michael Jacobs (Para athletics), Andrew McFadzean (canoe polo), Aaron Osborne (canoe slalom), James Sandilands (athletics), Cory Sweeney (rugby sevens), Gordon Walker (canoe racing), Damian Wiseman (Para cycling).
Sky Sport Emerging Talent: Tyler Bindon (football), Cormac Buchanan (motorsport), Oscar Goodman (basketball), Luke Harrold (snow sports), Yanhao ‘Dwayne’ Li (figure skating), Ethan Olivier (athletics), Zoe Pedersen (surf lifesaving and swimming), Levi Townley (motocross), Erice Van Leuven (mountain biking), Ben Westenberg (Para cycling).
* Bold indicates eligibility for Supreme Halberg Award
