James McDonald Named Longines World’s Best Jockey for Third Time in Four Years

[Wandering Eyes]

James McDonald has won the Longines World's Best Jockey title for the second consecutive year and third time overall. The New Zealand-born, Australian-based jockey also won the Longines World's Best Jockey Award in 2022.

The awarding of the Longines World's Best Jockey title is based upon performances in the 100 highest-rated Group and Grade 1 races as established for the year by the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings Committee. The scoring incorporates races from December 1 of the previous year until November 30 of the current year. Jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, 6 points for placing second and 4 points for placing third.

McDonald held a sizeable lead throughout much of the 2025 competition, partnering the winner of no fewer than 12 of the 100 qualifying races, including the Longines Hong Kong Cup (Romantic Warrior), the Longines Hong Kong Mile (Voyage Bubble) and the Ladbrokes Cox Plate (Via Sistina). He finished with a total of 184 points, ahead of Mickael Barzalona with 132 points and William Buick with 114 points.

Ryan Moore was the inaugural recipient of the Longines World's Best Jockey Award in 2014. He also claimed the title in 2016, 2021 and 2023, with his four triumphs being matched by Frankie Dettori, who was successful in 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Completing the list of winners is Hugh Bowman, who topped the table in 2017.

A ceremony will be held during the gala dinner of the Longines Hong Kong International Races on Friday, December 12 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre to honour McDonald. The full and final standings for the 2025 Longines World's Best Jockey competition can be found at www.ifhaonline.org.

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