McDonald renews Royal Ascot link with Wathnan Racing

Champion jockey James McDonald will again ride as Wathnan Racing’s second-call jockey at Royal Ascot, renewing a successful partnership with the Qatari operation at next week’s five-day carnival.

McDonald, who partnered Wathnan-owned Crimson Advocate to victory in last year’s Duke Of Cambridge Stakes, joins first-choice rider James Doyle on a powerful team expected to field multiple runners throughout the meeting.

Wathnan racing adviser Richard Brown said the arrangement gives the ownership group access to two of the world’s leading jockeys, with Doyle retaining first pick of rides and McDonald available when the stable has multiple runners in the same race.

Brown described McDonald as a major addition to the Royal Ascot squad and said the strong relationship between the Australian-based jockey and Doyle would be an asset during the week.

Fresh from guiding Romantic Warrior to Hong Kong Triple Crown success, McDonald is also booked for Australian-trained sprinters Overpass in the King Charles III Stakes and Joliestar in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.

Wathnan enjoyed a breakout Royal Ascot in 2025 with five winners across the meeting and will again arrive with a sizeable team as it chases further success on one of racing’s biggest stages.