James McDonald dislodged from Via Sistina at Breakfast With The Best at The Valley

There was early morning drama at The Valley with James McDonald being dislodged from his top Cox Plate chance Via Sistina at Breakfast With The Best.

Cox Plate contender Via Sistina dropped rider James McDonald during her Breakfast with the Best gallop at The Valley.

Via Sistina appeared to blunder around the bend, which unseated McDonald.

McDonald thankfully walked away unharmed.

Via Sistina completed two laps of the course riderless before being finally captured in the back straight.

Following the mishap, Chief steward Rob Montgomery said.

“She (Via Sistina) was upset when she was out there galloping and continued to gallop for some distance,” Montgomery said.

Team Waller attempt to stop Via Sistina after dislodging James McDonald at Breakfast With The Best on Tuesday morning Picture: Michael Klein

“We’ll have to look at the vision, looks like a bandage has come loose on the hind leg, we’ve had our vets have a look at her… Dr Grace Forbes said the horse is absolutely completely fine.”

On whether she starts in Saturday’s Cox Plate?

“Well that’s up to Mr Waller.”

Speaking to the media after the incident, champion trainer Chris Waller said.

“A bandage has come loose, she stood on the bandage, then a piece of gear has broken she has sort of tripped and that piece of gear has got caught up in her back leg and that’s given her a fright,” Waller said.

“She’s then run for a couple of laps and fortunately there was a clerk of the course out there that picked the horse up and she’s settled back down really well.

“She’s actually remarkably well. There’s no blood, no skin off. Our vet has been over her thoroughly and can’t find anything. We take comfort in that nothing has gone tragically wrong.”

When quizzed on whether she will start in Saturday’s Cox Plate, Mr. Waller said.

“I would say so. But we will use right up until race morning to make a decision.”

There's been some early drama at this morning's Breakfast With The Best with James McDonald coming off Via Sistina around the home turn.

J-Mac has walked away unharmed, reports @gilbertgardinerpic.twitter.com/jRCNr8pHV1

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) October 21, 2024

Thankfully, James McDonald escaped unharmed from the incident.

McDonald was cleared by medical staff at The Valley to continue to ride work.

He will be assessed further this afternoon.

McDonald has rides at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

“I’m not too bad, I’ve pulled up OK, touchwood, no injury, I feel OK at the moment,” McDonald said.

“I’ve got to ride tomorrow so make sure I’m OK this afternoon.”

James McDonald walks back with Charlie Duckworth after coming off Via Sistina at Breakfast With The Best Picture: Michael Klein

While disappointed Via Sistina’s gallop ended the way it did, McDonald said the star Chris Waller-trained mare remained at the peak of her powers.

“She was going terrific, her build up has been brilliant and we were only 200m away from our final bit of work, a bit disappointing,” McDonald said.

“As long as she’s pulled up OK and Chris is happy with her, I’m OK.

“It’s part of sport, you ride the ups and you ride the downs.”

Originally published as James McDonald dislodged from Via Sistina at Breakfast With The Best at The Valley