Champion jockey James McDonald has ridden Switzerland to victory in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes on Derby Day to take out the race for the third time in four years.
McDonald and Switzerland were sublime in the 1200m race at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday afternoon, bursting into the lead in the final 200 metres and winning by two-and-a-half lengths.
Switzerland, trained by the legendary Chris Waller, led home the second-placed Bellatrix Star and third-placed Growing Empire.
“This is one of the nicest colts I’ve sat on for a while,” McDonald told Billy Slater on the Nine coverage.
“He’s been promising to do that. He started shorter in the [Golden] Slipper and … they missed The Everest because of this race, and to get the chocolates like he did, superb, outstanding.
James McDonald riding Switzerland to victory on Derby Day. Nine
“I am absolutely delighted for him. Delighted for the connection.
“They’ve got an absolute star in their hands. He’s one of the nicest I’ve sat on for a while.”
McDonald’s triumph follows his Coolmore wins in 2021 on Home Affairs and in 2022 on In Secret.
MORE TO COME.