“James McDonald’s achievement is nothing short of remarkable,” Peters said.
“To reach 130 Australasian Group 1 victories, and to do so at just 34 years of age, reflects not only his exceptional natural talent, but also his professionalism, discipline, and deep commitment to the sport,” the minister said.
“We hail F1 drivers, All Blacks and Black Caps, but in James McDonald, we have a true global superstar and he deserves all the accolades he receives.
“James has become a defining figure in our racing community. His connection with the public, his strong partnerships with leading trainers such as Chris Waller, and his consistently world‑class performances have made him a true ambassador for Australasian racing.”
Michael Guerin wrote his first nationally published racing articles while still in school and started writing about horse racing and the gambling industry for the Herald as a 20-year-old in 1990. He became the Herald’s Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world’s biggest horse racing carnivals.
