McDonald is one of the country’s leading jockeys who had a Cup Week to remember last year, winning a record 10 races throughout the week and taking out the Ron Hutchinson Award for jockeys.
The champion hoop had a brilliant Penfolds Victoria Derby Day on Saturday with four wins and will join the broadcast for Lexus Melbourne Cup hour after his mount Loft was taken out of Cup contention last week.
James will join Network 10’s outstanding racing line-up of Eddie McGuire, Michael Felgate, Michelle Payne, Francesca Cumani and Glen Boss and provide incredible jockey insight into what it takes to win the great race after claiming victory last year aboard Verry Elleegant. He will also be part of the team to review the race.
James will also appear on the VRC-produced international broadcast of the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
VRC CEO Steve Rosich said it was fantastic to have James join the VRC and Network 10’s coverage of the 162nd Lexus Melbourne Cup.
“James is one of the best jockeys in the world and will offer insights on the Network 10 telecast that very few people can provide on what it takes to win Australia’s greatest race,” Mr Rosich said.
“He is a Flemington specialist, having won a record 10 races across Cup Week last year and finishing Penfolds Victoria Derby Day with 4 wins. We look forward to his valuable insight on one the greatest days in sport.”
The VRC are building up for ‘the race the stops the nation’™ with around 80,000 people expected at Flemington tomorrow for the running of the 162nd Lexus Melbourne Cup.
The Lexus Melbourne Cup is a 162-year tradition that brings Australia to a standstill at 3pm on the first Tuesday in November every year.
The 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival continues with Lexus Melbourne Cup Day tomorrow followed by Kennedy Oaks Day on Thursday 3 November and concludes with TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 5 November.
