In a 160-to-150-point decision it was eight-times Sydney Champion Jockey James McDonald who defeated the master Ryan Moore to claim the 2024 Longines World’s Best Jockey title.

The Australia-based jockey who first won the Longines World’s Best Jockey Award in 2022, was also New Zealand’s four-times Champion Apprentice including twice when NZ Champion Jockey.

Winning nine of the world’s Top 100 Group 1 races qualifying races, he rode Romantic Warrior to win the Longines Hong Kong Mile, Hong Kong Gold Cup, Queen Elizabeth II Cup and Yasuda Kinen.

He also partnered Via Sistina to win the Ranvet Stakes, Ladbrokes Cox Plate and Champions Stakes and won the Champions Sprint on Sunshine in Paris and the Stewards’ Cup on Voyage Bubble.

As Ryan Moore has won this World’s Best Jockey four times previously since 2014, it was William Buick third on 105 points, with 12 points accrued for a win, 6 points for second and 4 points third.

The awarding of the Longines World’s Best Jockey title is based upon performances in the 100 highest-rated Group 1 and Grade 1 races run from 1 December until 30 November of the current year.

The World’s Best Jockey Award was established in 2014 by Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities to ‘recognise a jockey as the best among his or her global peers.’

Ryan Moore was the inaugural winner when launched in 2014, followed by 2016, 2021, and 2023, Frankie Dettori won four times in 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020 and Australian Hugh Bowman 2017.

At the recent European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation’s Executive Meeting held in Casablanca, Morocco it was Henri Pouret of Fance who was elected as the incoming Chair.

“I am a great enthusiast of European and Mediterranean racing in all its diversity,” said Henri Pouret “as Europe is a leader in many aspects of horseracing, especially of black type races.”

“I am really hopeful for the years to come in this region and will be fully dedicated to this new role in collaboration, and with the valuable experience of Secretary-General Dr. Paull Khan.”

In succeeding Brian Kavanagh, Henri Pouret is France Galop’s Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive, plus the Vice-Chair of International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.

With Ireland’s Brian Kavanagh continuing as Chairman until 1 June in 2025, its the EMHF’s Secretary-General Paul Khan who’s the EMHF’s nominee on the IFHA’s Horse Welfare Committee.

News from the International Forum for Aftercare of Racehorses that the 9th IFAR Conference will be in Lexington, Kentucky from 24-26 April, 2025 at the Spy Coast Farm’s Equine Education Center.

“Following our extremely successful conference in Japan this August, we are pleased to announce the host for our next gathering,” said IFAR Chair Eliot Forbes with focus on aftercare organisations.

“Sharing experiences and best practices make up a key component of the IFAR mission as we work to raise awareness globally of the importance of welfare for Thoroughbred racehorses.”

In addition, a gathering will be held during the cross country portion of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, a world’s premier equestrian event where thoroughbred competition feature.

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