“It was a very special day, and to win a first-ever Cox Plate is a jockey’s dream,” he recalls. “It was great memories that float back from your childhood and what you want to achieve as a jockey, and do you ever think you’ll get there, no, but we’ve been blessed. “You grow up idolising that race - the greats like Sunline, Saintly and Makybe Diva, but it takes such a special horse to win it.” Such his appreciation for Anamoe, McDonald knew he would need a special horse to win a second Ladbrokes Cox Plate, and he just happened to know of one in Hong Kong. While he admits it took some persuasion on his part, he knew Romantic Warrior was the horse who could deliver in 2023. “I just thought he had balance, he was strong, gate speed, sustained speed, turn of foot and a will to win – everything to win a Cox Plate,” “It’s so unique the track, the pressure is on, and you need the perfect racehorse. “It’s the clash of the titans… all the good horses are there.” While McDonald thought he had been beaten that year by Mr Brightside, the Hong Kong star had still won despite racing below his best he believes. The same can’t be said for the following year when Via Sistina went to a whole new level, winning by eight lengths in track record time. “It was something very special,” McDonald said of the victory in 2024. “I have been blessed to have three Horse of the Year’s take out the Cox Plate. “To do it on three different horses is even a bit more special – it’s been unique each one and I am very proud.” So, is the 33-year-old dreaming of a four-peat? “It would be something awesome to achieve,” he says of a fourth-straight Ladbrokes Cox Plate win. “But whether it's third, second, fourth, just to try and win the race, it’s a great race to be a part of. “I love the Moonee Valley racecourse, and now it holds such a special place for me.” A fourth successive W.S. Cox Plate win would see James McDonald join only Hugh Bowman with four straight wins in the race. Bowman sits alongside Brent Thomson, Jack Purtevll and Glen Boss with four victories in the race, placing them behind only Darby Munro with five wins.
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