No, a champion will not let one go.
Despite the hopes of some of his rivals, James Mcdonald had all of those exceptional riding qualities on display as he steered Tron Bolt to victory in the Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm, and overtook Malcolm Johnston’s long-standing record for winners at the highest level in one season in Australia.
141 group one winners already sets McDonald in high company but to achieve 17 in the 2025/26 season sets a new mark.
“I feel very humbled and privileged to be in this position,” McDonald said.
“To ride horses like that who give me great rides, I thought he was exceptional today. It is nice to stand alone.”
Trained by Chris Waller, Tron Bolt ($1.80 favourite) fought off the challenge from Cormier ($11), ridden by Aaron Bullock, to win by a length margin with Waller stablemate Stormy Marco ($14) in third.
“You’d think that James McDonald would hand up just one group one, wouldn’t you.” Bullock said jokingly post-race.
It was a fourth win for the Waller stable in the JJ Atkins after Pressday in 2010, Press Statement in 2015 and The Autumn Sun in 2018.
TRON BOLT FOR THE DYNAMIC DUO⚡
James McDonald gets a record 17th Group 1 for the season, surpassing Malcolm Johnston! A star emerges in the J.J. Atkins ⭐@mcacajamez @cwallerracing pic.twitter.com/NiOps6NOFq
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 13, 2026
The Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) looks to be a springtime target for Tron Bolt.
“With (stud) values, you always try and win something shorter like a Golden Rose at our home track,” Waller added.
“We try and use the Golden Rose as a steppingstone to either a Coolmore up the (Flemington) straight, but for this horse’s example it would be more a Caulfield Guineas.”
McDonald won the Atkins on Broadsiding in 2024 and McDonald provided his thoughts on the differences between the two colts.
“Broadsiding was a bit spunkier,” McDonald said.
“He was the real deal. This one, he’s a bit sleepy but he’s alive when you really want him to and that is the great thing about this horse. You can put him to sleep. He does what he needs to do and he’ll wake up.
“A little bit chalk and cheese but he’ll reach great heights, this horse. A bit of furnishing to do but he’ll come on immensely. He’s very adaptable and he’s got a bright future.”
