In today’s international racing scene, “J-Mac” James McDonald has become almost synonymous with success. The New Zealand-born jockey was twice crowned champion jockey in his homeland before moving to Australia and establishing himself among the world’s elite. His major achievements include winning the Melbourne Cup aboard VERRY ELLEEGANT and the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot with NATURE STRIP. From 2022 to 2025, he also won four consecutive Cox Plates aboard ANAMOE, ROMANTIC WARRIOR and VIA SISTINA. McDonald was named the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey in 2022, 2024 and 2025.
Hong Kong has also played an important role in McDonald’s rise to international prominence. In 2011, aged just 19, he made his first appearance in Hong Kong and finished runner-up in the International Jockeys’ Championship. The following year, he partnered XTENSION to victory in the Champions Mile. However, it was his association with ROMANTIC WARRIOR that would ultimately produce one of the great stories of Hong Kong racing.
Since joining forces in 2022, McDonald and ROMANTIC WARRIOR have competed successfully in Hong Kong, Australia, Japan and Dubai, capturing numerous Group 1 races along the way. In May 2025, ROMANTIC WARRIOR underwent surgery on his left front fetlock, with a screw inserted to stabilise the injury, raising doubts over whether he could ever return to his best.
After a lengthy rehabilitation, however, ROMANTIC WARRIOR made a remarkable comeback during the 2025/26 season. He went unbeaten in six starts, including victories in the Stewards’ Cup, Hong Kong Gold Cup and Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup, becoming only the third horse in Hong Kong racing history to complete the Triple Crown, after RIVER VERTIGONE and VOYAGE BUBBLE.
By the end of the season, ROMANTIC WARRIOR’s career earnings had risen beyond HK$288.7 million, maintaining his position as the highest prize-money earner in world racing history. He was also jointly crowned Hong Kong Horse of the Year alongside KA YING RISING.
From a gifted young rider in New Zealand to the world’s leading jockey, McDonald has built an extraordinary career. Yet his partnership with ROMANTIC WARRIOR has become something even more special — one of the defining jockey-and-horse combinations in Hong Kong racing history.
