Australian jockey James McDonald has signed as a contracted rider to Godolphin. McDonald has long been the number one rider to Godolphin trainer John O'Shea, who has been in his post for nearly a year, but Godolphin will now have first call for McDonald's services internationally.
“We felt the time was right to formalize our arrangement with James,” John Ferguson, bloodstock advisor to Sheikh Mohammed, said. “He is a first-class jockey, as we all know, but having him under retainer gives us the opportunity to use him not just in Australia but in Europe as well. We would like him to join William Buick and James Doyle later in the year when the Derby trials are run in May and Epsom and Royal Ascot take place in June. There is a two-month window available away from the Australian scene that could be used to great advantage for both parties.”
The New Zealand-born McDonald, who rode Contributer (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) to victory in the Feb. 28 G1 Chipping Norton S., marking the first top-level victory for O'Shea for Godolphin, said, “I am delighted to have signed for Godolphin, not only in order to continue our great association in Australia, but also for the opportunity to ride for the stable for a short time in Britain when commitments allow. I am very thankful to Sheikh Mohammed for the chance to further my career in this direction.”
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