James McDonald to Ride in the Saudi Cup International Jockeys’ Challenge

[Wandering Eyes]

Recently-crowned Longines World's Best Jockey James McDonald has been confirmed in the line-up for the 2025 International Jockeys' Challenge (IJC) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on Friday, February 21.

It will mark the first time the globetrotting New Zealander, who has ridden 106 Group 1 winners in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Britain and Japan, has competed in Saudi Arabia.

McDonald's participation in the IJC will also give him valuable experience of the Riyadh track, the day before bidding for glory aboard Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in the world's richest race, the $20m G1 Saudi Cup.

An array of global stars headline this year's IJC, featuring seven male and seven female jockeys. They include John Velazquez, who has well over 6,000 winners in the US to his name, Oisin Murphy, who was last year crowned Britain's champion jockey for the fourth time, and French-based rider Maryline Eon, who will return to defend her IJC title.

The full list of participants is as follows:

• Hollie Doyle
• Maryline Eon (2024 winner)
• Rachel King
• James McDonald
• Oisin Murphy
• Kelly Myers
• Manami Nagashina
• Tadhg O'Shea
• Christophe Soumillon
• John Velazquez
• Sofia Vives
• Sibylle Vogt
• TBC (Saudi-based rider)
• TBC (Saudi-based rider)

Riders will compete for points across the four IJC races, two on turf and two on dirt, with the jockey who amasses the most points emerging victorious. In each race, 15 points will be awarded for first place, 10 for second, seven for third, four for fourth and two for fifth.

The first two IJC races will be run on the dirt track at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, while legs three and four will take place on the turf track. Each race is worth a total of $400,000.

As well competing for a share of the $100,000 IJC prize fund ($30,000 to the winner), riders will also receive 15% of prize-money won.

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