James McDonald, the celebrated New Zealand jockey, has claimed his second LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Award, solidifying his status as one of the sport's elite. The accolade was officially presented during the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races Gala Dinner on December 6, ahead of McDonald’s key engagements at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) on December 8 at Sha Tin.

A Stellar Season

McDonald, 32, earned the prestigious title by accumulating 160 points, narrowly edging out England's Ryan Moore (150) and William Buick (105). The scoring system awards 12 points for a win, 6 for a second-place finish, and 4 for a third in the world’s top 100 Group 1 races. McDonald’s success was built on an impressive nine Group 1 victories from December 2023 to November 2024, including four aboard Romantic Warrior, one of his standout mounts. His other victories featured races like the W.S. Cox Plate and the VRC Champions Sprint.

Award Presentation

At the gala, McDonald received a watch from LONGINES CEO Matthias Breschan and a crystal vase from Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. This triumph follows his first win of the award in 2022, with McDonald humbly reflecting on the honor:
“It’s such a hard award to win... It’s been a long season, and I feel blessed to have been part of some incredible horses’ journeys.”

Hong Kong Aspirations

McDonald’s immediate focus is the HKIR, where he rides in all four feature races. Most notably, he partners with Romantic Warrior in the HK$40 million Hong Kong Cup, aiming to make history by securing a record third victory in the race. He also rides Ensued in the Hong Kong Vase, Howdeepisyourlove in the Hong Kong Sprint, and Voyage Bubble in the Hong Kong Mile.

Growth and Inspiration

Reflecting on his career, McDonald credited overseas exposure and experience for his evolution as a jockey:
“Since the first award, I’ve grown mentally stronger. Being exposed to the pressure of riding great horses on the biggest stages like Royal Ascot and Hong Kong has been invaluable.”

McDonald, who idolized past winners like Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore, and Hugh Bowman, now sees himself among their ranks. Despite the demanding schedule of Australian racing, he maintains an unwavering passion for the sport, calling it a privilege rather than a job.

“Romantic Warrior has taken me to a new level,” McDonald added. “The Hong Kong Cup means so much—not just to me, but to everyone connected to him. Romantic Warrior truly is Hong Kong’s horse.”

Sunday’s races promise high stakes as McDonald aims for both personal glory and to etch Romantic Warrior’s name into history.