McDonald and Hawkes fall out

Leading Sydney-based jockey James McDonald’s relations with father-and-sons training team Hawkes Racing have taken a turn for the worse following the jockey’s decision to remain free-lance and lack of communication around it. In an interview to RSN Radio, McDonald confirmed, “I am keen to go freelance but I would definitely love to continue riding for the Hawkes stable. I want to look at as many opportunities throughout the autumn carnival as I can, this includes riding for the Japanese during The Championships.”

McDonald has also been riding increasingly for Godolphin since John O’Shea took over the reins, and on several occasions gave preference to the Boys in Blue. This was never as blatant as during a trial session at Warwick Farm on Tuesday, when McDonald chose to partner Godolphin’s Memorial (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) ahead of Hawkes Racing’s Mossfun (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}), on board which he won last year’s G1 Golden Slipper. 

   Speaking on RSN Radio’s Racing Ahead program, John Hawkes expressed disappointment at to the unfolding of events, saying, “He didn’t want to ride ours anymore, he just wanted to ride Godolphins. It was his call that he wanted to move on and that was fine.” Hawkes added, “He got his manager to ring, I haven’t spoken to him personally, he didn’t want to ring us and that’s his prerogative.” However, McDonald admitted, “In hindsight, I probably should have called and likely will. I am keen to continue riding for them.”