Expat Kiwi jockey James McDonald has added another feather to his already illustrious cap with his nomination as a finalist for the prestigious ISPS HANDA Halberg Sportsman of the Year award. While McDonald has achieved global recognition in racing, this nomination marks a significant acknowledgment from his homeland’s sporting industry. His remarkable year, highlighted by securing his second LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Award, has solidified his status as one of the most revered jockeys in the world. From December 2023 to November 2024, McDonald claimed nine victories in the world’s top 100 Group One races, riding elite horses like Romantic Warrior and Via Sistina in features across Hong Kong, Australia, and Japan.

McDonald’s nomination comes in an Olympic year, underscoring the significance of his inclusion among New Zealand’s top athletes. The 32-year-old, who began his professional riding career in 2007 and achieved his first Group One win in 2008, has since amassed 105 Group One victories across major racing jurisdictions. In 2021, he was inducted into the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame at just 29 years old. Speaking about the honor, McDonald expressed his pride, stating, "This means as much personally as it does for our racing industry, to be recognised alongside other mainstream professional sports." The winner will be announced during a black-tie ceremony at Auckland’s Spark Arena on February 18, 2025, celebrating excellence in New Zealand sport.