Jockey James McDonald became horse racing's most prolific Group 1 winner

Sydney (AFP) - Champion jockey James McDonald became the prolific Group 1 winner Saturday in Australian horse racing history, surpassing Damien Oliver when he steered Autumn Boy to victory in the Rosehill Guineas.

Heading into the day at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney, McDonald needed two more wins to overtake Oliver’s 129 triumphs in the highest level of thoroughbred racing.

He delivered by first steering Aeliana over the line first in the Ranvet Stakes before guiding the Chris Waller-trained Autumn Boy to victory in the Rosehill Guineas an hour later.

Both races were over 2,000m.

“There’s no two ways about it, that I do ride the best horses and most favourites each race and I’m blessed to have that opportunity,” said the New Zealand-born McDonald, the world’s top-ranked jockey.

“To get to a mark like this, it’s obviously special. Especially with how I look up to Damien Oliver.

“When I was growing up as a 10-year-old kid, he was riding Melbourne Cup winners.”

Still just 34 years old, the two-time World Jockey of the Year added: “I’ll get to 200, you watch.”

McDonald’s Group 1 wins have come primarily in Australia, but also New Zealand and Hong Kong.

Among his notable victories was the 2021 Melbourne Cup, multiple Cox Plates and Hong Kong Cups and the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.