James McDonald celebrates his 2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate win
The Moonee Valley Racing Club is excited to announce two-time Ladbrokes Cox Plate-winning jockey James McDonald as an ambassador for the 2024 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival.
Widely recognised as one of the world’s top jockeys, the Club is honoured to have James McDonald, known to many as JMac, as the face of this year’s Carnival.
Launched on Tuesday, McDonald takes centre stage in this year’s TVC for the 2024 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, appearing alongside fellow sporting legends Ricky Ponting, Lauren Jackson, Glen Boss, and Jonathan Brown. McDonald’s likeness will also feature in a fully integrated campaign across TV, digital channels, social media and content, and large format roadside and retail out-of-home advertising.
At just 32, the New Zealand-born jockey is remarkably only one Group 1 win away from his 100th victory at the highest level.
In 2022, he was named Longines World’s Best Jockey by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.
McDonald has claimed Group 1 victories across five countries: Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
Among his victories at the top level are the past two Ladbrokes Cox Plates, winning his first aboard Anamoe for James Cummings and Godolphin in 2022, before going back-to-back in Australia’s Best Race aboard Hong Kong champion galloper Romantic Warrior for Danny Shum.
He has also won the past two Ladbrokes Gold Cups, aboard Francesco Guardi (2022) and Cleveland (2023). The Group Two race for stayers over 2500m is the Club’s oldest race and is the feature on the opening night of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival.
James McDonald said it was special to be involved in the Carnival as an ambassador.
"The Cox Plate is a race that I've taken an interest in for as long as I can remember. To win back-to-back on two of my favourite horses, and now to be the ambassador for this year's Carnival, is very special."
"It means a lot to be involved, and I can't wait for this year's Carnival."
MVRC General Manager - Marketing & Communications Troy Ratcliffe said it was thrilling to have the champion jockey as an ambassador for this year’s Carnival.
“To secure JMac as the face of our 2024 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival is extremely exciting.”
“His profile and status as one of the best jockeys in the world aligns with our strategic objective of helping grow the Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival brand nationally and internationally. We traditionally hero the champions of our great race, and as a two-time and back-to-back W.S. Cox Plate winner, JMac is firmly in that category.”
“We look forward to showcasing JMac in a new and creative way.”
To view the 2024 Ladbrokes Cox Plate TVC, click here.