‘Never seen a better jockey': James McDonald closes in on Miracle Malcolm Johnston's mark
And Johnston also declared McDonald could ride an unthinkable 200 Australian Group 1 winners before the end of his riding career if he remains based in Sydney.
These were Johnston's comments when interviewed by Racenet as McDonald closed in on his 16 major race winners in a season – a national record that has stood unchallenged since 1979-80.
Just a week after trainer Chris Waller set a national record with 19 Group 1 winners for a season, McDonald is also poised to rewrite racing history at Eagle Farm.
McDonald has ridden 15 Australian Group 1 winners this season and can equal or even break Johnston's longstanding record at Eagle Farm on Saturday when he partners Rothfire in the $3m Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) and Hidden Achievement in the $1m JJ Atkins (1600m).
'Records are made to be broken and J-Mac has the opportunity to set a new mark on Saturday that will probably stand the test of time,'' Johnston said.
'If he doesn't break my record this weekend then I'm sure he will one day – if it is not this year it will be in the years to come because he is going to break all the riding records.''
But like the time when Australian cricket captain Mark 'Tubby' Taylor decided to declare on 334 not out so he wouldn't surpass the legendary Sir Donald Bradman's highest Test score, Johnston is hoping McDonald equals but doesn't break his national riding record.
• J-Mac confirmed for Rothfire's incredible Stradbroke bid
'I'd be very proud to share the record with J-Mac because I've never seen a better jockey,'' McDonald said.
'He's as good as Darren (Beadman), as good as Mick (Dittman), as good as Ronnie (Quinton).
'If James gets to 16 Group 1 wins then when you look at the replays of his next couple of Group 1 rides that will be me swinging off their tails.
'But to be fair, J-Mac has had a phenomenal season. He didn't have a Kingston Town like I had to win six Group 1 races in a season for me but he did have Via Sistina to help him.''
McDonald rode Via Sistina to win five Group 1 races during the season but did miss another two of the mighty mare's majors.
The jockey chose to rode Fangirl in the Winx Stakes only to finish third behind Via Sistina and then he was in Sydney for Epsom Day but missed riding a Group 1 winner while the champion mare won the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
But McDonald's outstanding 2024-25 season has also included six international Group 1 wins to increase his Australian tally of majors to 92 and his overall career record to 119 Group 1 wins.
•
Johnston said it was remarkable to think McDonald was still only 32 years of age and rode his first Australian Group 1 winner on Scarlett Lady just 14 years ago.
'If J-Mac stays in Sydney, he could ride 200 Group 1 winners before he retires – and I'm not counting his international wins,'' Johnston said.
'I hope James does stay here because we are privileged to watch one the greatest ever do his thing each week but I believe he will eventually go to Hong Kong.
'Once he breaks 'Ollie's' record (125 Australian Group 1 wins and 129 in total) then I suspect he will consider going to Hong Kong because he might be looking for a new challenge.
'But he has the best of both worlds at the moment because he can go and ride in Hong Kong when he wants to and he still gets the best of the rides in Australia.''
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