Astounding Earnings Unveiled as James McDonald Sets Record with 11 Wins at Melbourne Cup Carnival

At the Pinnacle of Success

Champion jockey James McDonald achieved a remarkable feat by riding a record 11 winners during the 2024 Melbourne Cup carnival, surpassing his own record set in 2021.

“It could have easily been 15 wins, (since I) missed four opportunities, but I managed to secure 11,” McDonald reflected after clinching victory in four of the last five races on Saturday, which included two Group 1 wins each valued at $3 million.

Widely known as J-Mac, he took the reins of 32 horses throughout the four-day extravaganza at Flemington—spanning Derby Day, Melbourne Cup Day, Oaks Day, and Stakes Day.

His extraordinary performance made him the star of Melbourne for the week, while also significantly boosting his already impressive earnings.

Jockeys typically receive five per cent of a horse’s total winnings, along with a base riding fee that can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per ride.

After analysing the figures, Wide World of Sports found that McDonald would have earned approximately $321,750 solely from his 11 victories throughout the week.

Scroll down to discover how he amassed his earnings and which races contributed the most to his financial success.