James McDonald

better than Doyle any day of the week will be interesting when Buick comes back as to who will be num 2 think doyle could lose out

Thought he gave the horse an excellent ride and wouldn't have beaten the winner whatever.

doyle is diabolical. how he is at godolphin is a pure mystery. has cost them 2 ascot winners

this whole mcdonald thing a bit of a myth, aus jockeys are weak in a finish it's just there style of riding.He is excellent over there but really average here. Fancy dutch connection but he is putting me off.

McDonald looks great when the horse is flying and going forward. When it's tiring and coming back under him he's pretty poor. Like a large percentage of flat jockeys riding these days.

tim6, won't be an issue Macdonald is going back to Oz shortly

The most exciting young jockey around, has a clock in his head that is as good as Cauthen. He won't beat horses up because he knows exactly how much petrol is left to the drop.

I assume you mean his ride in the 235 where he kept the horse prominent and judged the pace well enough to finish 2nd, after looking like getting swallowed up 2 out?

His position sense in a race is second to non. Winning races because he's in the right position IMO.

Wow u lot r harsh. A jockey comes over from aus receives plaudits from everyone and has ridden some great rides yet all the armchair jocks find a way to criticise?? Threads like this are why the forum is ridiculed as know it alls who actually know fcuk all

Just more shocking jockey knocking.

He has probably ridden at Goodwood less than almost any other jockey on this card. And yet another excellent ride there, albeit on the best horse.

fair play

Cork think it could be Doyle going to Aus Mcdonald might get an offer he can't refuse

Another good ride.

As I was saying a very exciting prospect.

WHEN THREADS GO BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not much cop is he

He's really awful ain't he!!! So weak it's untrue

Differentdrum - ooh eck.

He's a classy rider, that young man.

race was set up for him but you have to like his patience there all the same

"He's not going to get a hard time from Emma Spencer is he?"  "No he's not!"

The best way I can put it is that he seems to make every horse he wins on look like they've got tons in hand, even if they obviously haven't, very very stylish jockey.

To be fair the horse has pissed up and Ann Stokell would've won on it. My op was that he wins on them when they win like that and that won't change. A bigger question has to be Hugo Palmer setting the race up with his two horses.

If Sheikh Mo has any sense he makes that lad his number 1 jockey. Offer him what it takes.

Absolutely top class jockey

I think we shall see a lot more of him over here

Wow u lot r harsh. A jockey comes over from aus receives plaudits from everyone and has ridden some great rides yet all the armchair jocks find a way to criticise?? Threads like this are why the forum is ridiculed as know it alls who actually know fcuk all
Dead right. Some on here just love to moan.

was gonna write that the best horse won both races under discussion here but to be totally fair to McDonald, Dutch Connection has looked the best horse in a couple of his other races this season without managing to win them.

Albeit he had his optimum conditions here.

clac the majority on here have said McDonald is a top jock

clac obviously likes a moan

FFFFFFFSake

my nan would have won on that !

hmmm

1.11 Qewy backers

JM should have stuck to  the rails, he was there up to 3f out, but then decided to switch out but as we know, horses roll in at Goodwood. Unfortunately, he had the ideal position on the rails but thought otherwise.

best jockey won

best horse lost

If he had stayed on the rails and got boxed in, he would have been slaughtered on here. He did the right thing and was just unlucky.

Ridiculous clerkmore, this is no place for a reasoned thoughtful explanation about the circumstances of the ride...!

If I was either Doyle or Buick, I would seriously roll my sleeves up and turn my riding brain on and start delivering on a monumental scale, as it wouldn't be out of the question to see one of the two of them either riding freelance or going back to their previous yards (Charlton or Gosden) sometime in the future.  I can see Macdonald riding here on a permanent basis next season.  No doubt, he will be roped in to riding during the Dubai season, though that will clash with with the Australian season. 

He is completely different class to any of our jockeys (and that includes the "God" that is Ryan Moore (at the moment)

Cork Langer

He is completely different class to any of our jockeys (and that includes the "God" that is Ryan Moore (at the moment)

Until Bartlett starts referring to him mid race as simply "James" I'm going to reserve judgement on his greatness.

Jul 26, 2016 -- 4:12PM, Clerkmore wrote:

If he had stayed on the rails and got boxed in, he would have been slaughtered on here. He did the right thing and was just unlucky.

He was out in plenty of time but a stronger jock would've got the horse home whether you want to admit it or not. Already it appears to some on here that if in future he wins he's brilliant, if he loses he's 'unlucky'.

Mon opinion. You are welcome to yours.

Jul 26, 2016 -- 4:32PM, Clerkmore wrote:

Mon opinion. You are welcome to yours.

Absolutely

Looks a classy rider to me - Godolphin will surely have him here full time next season ....

Jul 26, 2016 -- 3:17PM, duffy wrote:

The best way I can put it is that he seems to make every horse he wins on look like they've got tons in hand, even if they obviously haven't, very very stylish jockey.

Dutch Masterpiece certainly 'looked' like it had tons in hand there!

He was cut off when he first switched out, by the time he got out the second time it was too late.

^
on qewy

''He was out in plenty of time but a stronger jock would've got the horse home whether you want to admit it or not. Already it appears to some on here that if in future he wins he's brilliant, if he loses he's 'unlucky'.''




MJK got it spot on

Already it appears to some on here that if in future he wins he's brilliant, if he loses he's 'unlucky'.''



Yes, and asked yourself why that is? We're all putting our money down so if there is an individual that appears by general consensus to be cut more slack than others, it surely points to there being enough positive evidence that has been witnessed by most to entitle him to it.

This place doesn't tend to take to many prisoners does it?

Yes jollie and already it would appear to some on here that if he wins he's lucky and if he loses he's weak.

Whistlejacket  26 Jul 16 16:16

If I was either Doyle or Buick, I would seriously roll my sleeves up and turn my riding brain on and start delivering on a monumental scale


Doyler and Bill just texted...said they'll start tomorrow..will deliver on monumental scale.. 'and soz for swinging the lead all this time'

Jul 26, 2016 -- 4:49PM, duffy wrote:

Already it appears to some on here that if in future he wins he's brilliant, if he loses he's 'unlucky'.''Yes, and asked yourself why that is? We're all putting our money down so if there is an individual that appears by general consensus to be cut more slack than others, it surely points to there being enough positive evidence that has been witnessed by most to entitle him to it.This place doesn't tend to take to many prisoners does it?

Fair point. Whatever happens it doesn't say a lot for the flat if people are saying he's the best currently riding imop(though I assume people mean in the UK only). Is he any better that Kerrin McEvoy was?

Better than Kerrin at the same stage of riding experience in the UK, imv. Kerrin was a majestic rider once he got to grips with the tracks and conditions.

Duncan, I just don't see why there would be a persuasive argument for retaining 3 jockeys, so I am afraid something will have to give.  Sheikh Mohammed runs a global bloodstock operation, and though some might beg to differ, Europe and primarily GB & Ireland remain right at the top of the global bloodstock industry.  In addition, I would venture that Macdonald's riding style is probably more easily adapted to US racing. 
(just an opinion)

Long live King James :)), He does seem very capable, genuine too. I like backing a horse with a jockey I can trust. hint hint Mulrennan.

par
26 Jul 16 15:18
Joined: 20 Jul 01
| Topic/replies: 6,516 | Blogger: par's blog
If Sheikh Mo has any sense he makes that lad his number 1 jockey. Offer him what it takes.

Mo retains him in Oz Par

Just to clarify, I have no objection to either Doyler or Buick. Doyler is an absolutely fantastic guy and gives very good feedback.  I have no reason to think Buick is any different.  It is just a case that Macdonald looks different class.  It is always wise to remember that old breeding and racing maxim of putting the best to the best!

ps: jaykelly, I think Par might have been referring to retaining him in Europe and not the current situation of retaining him in Australia (though of course, Sheikh Mohammed does have a huge operation in Australia these days)