James McDonald has officially made history, overtaking Damien Oliver for the most Group 1 winners.
Oliver’s mark of 129 Group 1 victories was passed by J-Mac on Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill on Sunday, as the gun hoop steered Autumn Boy to victory in the Rosehill Guineas.
Heading into the day of racing at Rosehill, McDonald required two victories to overtake Oliver, which he racked up with back-to-back wins in Races 5 and 6.
At only 34 years old, the champion jockey should score many more before hanging up the whip, as he establishes himself as the greatest jockey of all time.
McDonald has formed one of Australia’s most dominant partnerships across his career with star trainer Chris Waller, riding his horses to more than 50 Group 1 wins, many on household names such as Via Sistina, Verry Elleegant and Nature Strip.
With jockeys often continuing well into their 40s, McDonald likely at least another decade in horse racing to be in a world of his own.
And he wasted little time adding to his Group 1 count, steering Autumn Glow to a domiannt win in the George Ryder.
His joy may not end there for the day either aboard Fireball ($12) in the day’s feature, the Golden Slipper.
