James McDonald will once again ride second string for Wathnan Racing during the Royal Ascot meeting next week.
The Kiwi-born McDonald earned his fifth Royal Ascot winner aboard Wathnan's Crimson Advocate (Nyquist) in last year's G2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes. Overall, the Wathnan colours were first past the post five times during the 2025 edition of Royal Ascot.
“We've got a young fellow from New Zealand who's not too bad called James McDonald on the teamsheet,” said Wathnan's racing adviser Richard Brown when asked about riding plans in races where the old gold and peacock blue will have multiple representation.
“James Doyle will have first choice on everything but he will be giving James McDonald as much information as he can on the others we have.
“He's a huge addition for the week and to have James Doyle riding as your first jockey and James McDonald as your second jockey, you are simply giving yourself the very best chance you can and it's the best of both hemispheres working together, hopefully for success.”
McDonald was carried to Hong Kong Triple Crown glory by Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) in recent weeks. His Royal Ascot mounts include Overpass (Vancouver) in the G1 King Charles III Stakes and Joliestar (Zoustar) in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
Brown added, “James McDonald is a top man and a top jockey and he's great mates with 'Doyler' which is important as they work together and there is a great picture from last year after he won on Crimson Advocate of 'Doyler' going over and giving him a fist pump which was very cool.
“James is a gent and will have some difficult decisions to make and I hope he gets them all right but inevitably in racing you might not.”
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