Image: Darren Winningham
“It was remarkable, unthinkable, given the year we had,” said James McDonald as he was honored at the 2025 Longines World’s Best Jockey Gala Dinner in Hong Kong.
“Voyage Bubble, Via (Sistina) and Romantic (Warrior) have collected all these points, and it’s really a reflection on that. They’ve been so special to us.”
The three horses that played a major role in this were special to ride. Of course it is certainly an honor, but I am more proud of the three I ride with.
Having scored 184 points, and this his third title of Longines World’s Best Jockey, James received an elegant Longines timepiece from Longines CEO Patrick Aoun, along with an iconic crystal vase.
Held alongside the International Conference for the Health, Safety and Welfare of Jockeys 2025 on December 11 and 12 in Hong Kong and themed ‘The Performance Medicine in Racing’.
In ‘Developing and Protecting the Jockey’, the two-day conference took an applied, evidence-based approach with presentations and panel discussions with leading experts in the field.
Organized by the Jockeys Health and Wellbeing Committee and supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, it was chaired by Darragh O’Loughlin of the IFHA Jockey Health and Wellbeing Committee and CEO of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.
“Our theme reflects how far the conversation has come,” said Darragh O’Loughlin. “No longer solely focused on injury response, we are now looking more broadly at what it really means to support a jockey – before, during and after his time in the saddle.”
“This conference is built around real-world experience, scientific evidence and shared understanding. We’re not just here to talk about jockey health. We’re here to build the systems, culture and knowledge base that can support this.”
“It brings together physicians, physiotherapists, psychologists, lawyers, researchers, regulators, nutritionists, current and former jockeys and racing professionals from more than a dozen countries.”
Over the two days, speakers took part in 13 sessions, including:
- In the mind of the jockey: performance, well-being and lessons from the field
- Entrapment protocols
- Fueling the ride: practical insights and evolving strategies in jockey nutrition
- Poster Presentations: Developing and Protecting the Jockey
- On the grass: live outdoor simulation of race day medical practices and entrapment protocols
- Minimum riding weights: towards a more individualized and evidence-based approach
- From turf to recovery: concussion in horse racing
- Fit to Ride: physical preparation and rehabilitation for jockey performance
- Concussion Procedures in England: The Going and the Odds
- Promoting safety in the saddle: Innovations in injury monitoring, prevention and protection
- Strong in the saddle: dealing with jockey performance, injuries and well-being in HK Racing
- Beyond the finish line: supporting jockeys’ careers and transition to retirement
- Thematic table conversations: cultivating connections and collaborations
Participants included William Audland, Michael Caulfield, Andrew Coonan, Hollie Doyle, Gavin Egan, Jeff Gomez, Danny Haag, Peta Hitchens, Suzannah Hoult, Rosy Hyman, Chris Kamper, Michaela Keener, Phil Kinsella, Kylie Legg, Karen Lo, Ciara Losty, Daloni Lucas, Dan Martin, Tarryn Mason, James Murray, Siobhan O’Connor, Gillian O’Loughlin, John O’Reilly, Jennifer Pugh, Richard Pugh, Bill Riddiford, Megan Roberts, Tom Scudamore, Lisa Stevens, Matt Stewart, Paul Struthers, Giles Warrington and Keith Yeung.
“This conference represents one of the most important conversations taking place within the racing industry today,” said Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, president of the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities.
“For too long, jockey safety and welfare have been discussed with admiration for the resilience of the athlete, rather than with the structured, systematic and evidence-based approach required for a modern, high-performance sport.”
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