McDonald claims top Group 1 jockey spot in Australia aboard Autumn Boy

On race days, James McDonald takes a slip of paper to the track inscribed with four straightforward mottos.

'See it. Feel it. Win it. Enjoy it.'

The elite rider fulfilled them all during Saturday's action, claiming the title of Australia's greatest Group 1 jockey as Autumn Boy provided his 130th top-level success in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m).

McDonald notched his 100th Group 1 victory locally in the process, and he alongside Chris Waller broke the 54 Group 1s benchmark for trainer-rider combinations that Tommy Smith and George Moore had owned for years.

The jockey disclosed stepping away from social platforms that week to hone in on his record-breaking chance, reinforced by a text from ex-All Blacks mentor Sir Stephen Hansen sent on Golden Slipper Day morning.

"He said, 'Walk straight into it. Grab it with both hands and walk straight into it'", McDonald said.

"I was thinking to myself, imagine him sitting down with the All Blacks, a fifteen squad of men, our greatest sport in New Zealand, and he's saying, 'Walk into it. Embrace it'.

"I thought that was quite special."

One striking element of the 34-year-old's feat is how young he remains.

Most jockeys hit their stride around that time, but the unassuming New Zealander puts his wins down to excellent team support and outstanding gallopers.

"It's lovely, but it's a testament to the horses that I ride because they are phenomenal," he said.

"There's no two ways about it, that I do ride the best horses and most favourites each race and I'm blessed to have that opportunity."

Adding extra shine was eclipsing his idol from childhood, Damien Oliver.

"To get to a mark like this, it's obviously special. Especially with how I look up to Damien Oliver," he said.

"When I was growing up as a ten-year-old kid, he was riding Melbourne Cup winners. One that comes to mind is Media Puzzle when he went through so much adversity and still had the vivacity to come out on top."

Autumn Boy ($2.45 fav) delivered a powerful Guineas win by two lengths ahead of Green Spaces ($21), though McDonald's heroics stole the show.

Chris Waller was not fully sold on the ATC Australian Derby (2400m) for him yet, opting to watch the Golden Slipper Day results before committing.

Still, the colt's solid 2000m effort qualifies him for Cox Plate consideration come next campaign.

"We've ticked the box for 2000 metres. His dad (The Autumn Sun) won it. He's won it. I'll pick out some nice races in the spring," Waller said.

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