Riyadh, January 16, 2025 – New Zealand’s James McDonald, the recently crowned Longines World's Best Jockey, is set to make a significant debut in Saudi Arabia as part of the highly anticipated 2025 International Jockeys Challenge, scheduled for February 21 at the prestigious King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh. McDonald, who has earned global acclaim for his remarkable riding talent, will join a star-studded field of the world’s finest jockeys in this exciting event.
This prestigious competition serves as a prelude to McDonald’s participation in the Saudi Cup 2025, where he will ride the highly regarded Romantic Warrior in the world’s richest horse race on February 22. With a staggering prize purse of US$20 million, the Saudi Cup has garnered immense international attention, and McDonald’s involvement is expected to further elevate the global profile of this already high-profile event.
For McDonald, this will mark his first competitive outing in Saudi Arabia, a noteworthy addition to a distinguished career that includes 106 Group 1 victories spanning prestigious racing jurisdictions such as Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Britain, and Japan. His versatility and consistent success across multiple continents have solidified his reputation as one of the world’s premier jockeys.
The 2025 International Jockeys Challenge will showcase an exceptional lineup of elite riders, with 14 of the world’s top jockeys set to compete in a thrilling series of races. The participants include seven male and seven female jockeys, representing an impressive array of global racing powers.
Among the distinguished riders joining McDonald in the competition are America’s John Velazquez and Sofia Vives, Belgium’s Christophe Soumillon, Britain’s Hollie Doyle, and Ireland’s Oisín Murphy and Tadhg O'Shea. Australia’s Rachel King and France’s Maryline Eon will also be in the mix, along with Switzerland’s Sibylle Vogt, New Zealand’s Kelly Myers, and Japan’s Manami Nagashima.
Adding further intrigue to the event, two prominent jockeys residing in Saudi Arabia are set to be announced shortly, rounding out the final spots in the prestigious competition. The inclusion of these local talents is expected to further enhance the excitement surrounding the challenge and bring a unique flavor to the international gathering.
The International Jockeys Challenge will undoubtedly be a thrilling spectacle, as the world’s top jockeys vie for supremacy on the sand of Riyadh. Fans and racing enthusiasts alike are eagerly awaiting the showdown, which promises to showcase a blend of talent, strategy, and competitive spirit that will set the stage for the high-stakes action to follow in the Saudi Cup just one day later.
As the countdown to February begins, all eyes will be on the King Abdulaziz Racecourse, where McDonald and his illustrious peers will showcase their skill and determination in one of the most exciting and unique racing events of the year.