PJ McDonald: A Matron win on Laurens on home soil would mean the world to me

This weekend 12 months ago should have been the greatest moment of PJ McDonald's career. Instead, it turned out to be the worst.

The Wexford native was due to ride Laurens in the Group 1 Matron Stakes, but in the build-up to Irish Champions Weekend he suffered a freak injury when unshipped in the pre-parade ring at Newcastle.

Watching on from the Leopardstown winner's enclosure, McDonald put on a brave face as he willed Laurens, in the hands of Danny Tudhope, to a hard-fought victory over Alpha Centauri.

On one hand he was delighted for the filly, who along with owner John Dance and trainer Karl Burke have transformed the former jump jockey's career, but on the other he was sick to his stomach about missing the opportunity to ride a Group 1 winner on home soil.

Matron Stakes card and betting

McDonald recalls: "On a personal level it was probably the worst experience of my career missing out on her in the Matron. There's no point in me lying about it. You ask any jockey and they'd tell you missing a big winner is hard to take.

"I went to Leopardstown on the day because it was the right thing to do, and as disappointed as I was for myself I was absolutely delighted for the filly and for the team."

PJ McDonald lands the Group 1 Prix Rothschild on Laurens in JulyCredit: racing.com Staff

He adds: "I don't think you'd be human if you said you didn't mind missing a big winner. If you're content sitting on the sidelines watching somebody else ride the best horse you've ever had anything to do with, you're in the wrong game."

On Saturday afternoon McDonald will be bidding to erase his painful experience from last year, and he believes Laurens is coming into the race in the form of her life.

PJ McDonald: the family man who continues to get better with age

Asked what it would mean to ride a Group 1 winner in his native Ireland, McDonald, 36, says: "It would mean the world to me to get a Group 1 win in Ireland. Some of my family will be at Leopardstown on the day and it would be right up there at the pinnacle of things I've achieved in my career if we can do it.

"To ride a big-race winner anywhere is fantastic, but to come back to Ireland, especially after missing out last year, it would be very special.

"This would mean a hell of a lot to me and would be right up there with the best of them if we can pull it off."

He adds: "She goes there with a fighting chance, but it's going to be tough. To be fair to Laurens she's a very consistent filly and I'd be confident she'll run up to form.

"For me she's one in a million. It took a long time for a horse like her to come along in my career and the chances of me coming across one like her before I pack it in is highly unlikely."

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