James McDonald cracks own Melbourne Cup Week record with 11 winners
James McDonald broke his own record for most Melbourne Cup carnival winners after claiming two of the three Group 1s on offer on Champions Day at Flemington.
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Champion jockey James McDonald rode four of the last five winners at Flemington to break his own Melbourne Cup carnival record.
McDonald, who rode 10 winners across the four-day carnival in 2021, finished with 11 on Saturday after success with Hinged, Sunshine In Paris, Via Sistina and Pisanello.
McDonald’s haul included four Group 1s – the Coolmore Stud Stakes, Empire Rose Stakes, Champions Sprint and Champions Stakes.
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“It means a lot. It should have been probably 15, butchered four, I got 11 right,” McDonald said.
“It’s a privilege, it’s an honour to ride here and especially this week.
“Great atmosphere, the crowd makes it so much fun to ride here, and these four days are very, very special.
“The colour, the vibe, everything about it, and the special horses like we just witnessed a superstar there, a race ago (Via Sistina).
“I’m still coming to terms with what happened there, but very special week.
“One of the best weeks in racing, and it’s great to ride here.”
McDonald claimed the Ron Hutchinson Award for the fourth straight year as leading jockey for the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Damian Lane and Ben Melham rounded out the top three leading jockeys.
Melham banked a double on Saturday to finish with four winners for the week.
Champion trainer Chris Waller prepared the most winners (six) for the week, including three Group 1s, but Ciaron Maher claimed a first JB Cummings Award — leading trainer for the Melbourne Cup carnival — with five winners and 10 placings.
The Melbourne Cup carnival attracted more than 285,000 people this year – 20,000 more than last year and the highest mark since 2018.
Victoria Racing Club chairman Neil Wilson appreciated the huge turnout.
“As a club we’re constantly exploring new ways to enhance the experience and attract new fans to our sport,” Wilson said.
“We’ve been thrilled with the resurgence in young racing fans this week.
“The quality of racing across this year’s Carnival has been exceptional, and it’s produced some incredible results and unearthed some inspiring stories for the history books.”
“From cheering Jamie Kah and Goldrush Guru to victory in the Penfolds Victoria Derby to witnessing Knight’s Choice storm home under Robbie Dolan to win the Lexus Melbourne Cup, to Matt Laurie’s third Group 1 win with Treasurethe Moment in the Crown Oaks.
“Today’s incredible performance by Via Sistina and James McDonald in the TAB Champions Stakes, fans who turned up to Flemington now have lifelong memories they’ll be able to share with family and friends for years to come.”
Meanwhile, jockey Craig Williams received a 10-meeting ban for careless riding on victorious Mr Brightside in the Champions Mile.
Stewards cited Williams for shifting out passing the 100m when not sufficiently clear of Amelia’s Jewel.
Apprentice jockey Jaylah Kennedy copped 10-meetings and $500 fine for a whip breach in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
■■■■■
MELBOURNE CUP CARNIVAL WINNERS
COOLMORE STUD STAKES
Winner: Switzerland $6
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: James McDonald
VICTORIA DERBY
Winner: Goldrush Guru $7.50
Trainer: Andrew Gluyas
Jockey: Jamie Kah
EMPIRE ROSE STAKES
Winner: Atishu $3.60F
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: James McDonald
MELBOURNE CUP
Winner: Knight’s Choice $81
Trainer: John Symons and Sheila Laxon
Jockey: Robbie Dolan
VRC OAKS
Winner: Treasurethe Moment $3.30F
Trainer: Matt Laurie
Jockey: Damian Lane
CHAMPIONS SPRINT
Winner: Sunshine In Paris $5
Trainer: Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald
Jockey: James McDonald
CHAMPIONS MILE
Winner: Mr Brightside
Trainer: Ben, JD and Will Hayes
Jockey: Craig Williams
CHAMPIONS STAKES
Winner: Via Sistina
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: James McDonald
CUP CARNIVAL
TOP JOCKEYS (wins)
11 James McDonald
4 Ben Melham
2 Jamie Kah
2 Damian Lane
2 Michael Dee
2 Luke Nolen
2 Jye McNeil
TOP TRAINERS (wins)
6 Chris Waller
5 Ciaron Maher
3 Anthony and Sam Freedman
2 James Cummings
2 Matt Laurie
2 Ben, Will and JD Hayes
ATTENDANCES
Victoria Derby Day 81,612
Melbourne Cup Day 91,168
VRC Oaks Day 50,873
Champions Day 62,022
TOTAL 285,675
Up from 262,165 last year
Originally published as James McDonald cracks own Melbourne Cup Week record with 11 winners
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