World’s best jockey with ‘eye-watering salary’ and model fiancee officially crowned in Longines rankings

THE world’s best jockey has been crowned – with a load of top Britain-based talent having to play second-fiddle to Kiwi James McDonald.

The Royal Ascot-winning rider – who is reported to have an ‘eye-watering’ salary – topped the Longines standings.

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McDonald, who recently welcomed a child with former jockey and model turned TV presenter Katelyn Mallyon, won nine of the world’s top 100 races.

A load of them came in Australia, where he’s based, on the likes of Anamoe in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate and Nature Strip in the Furphy TJ Smith Stakes.

Brit punters might remember Nature Strip from Royal Ascot, when he and McDonald cruised to victory in the King’s Stand Stakes.

Racing Down Under alone, McDonald, 30, has amassed earnings of just under £100million during his career.

Racenet said he was earning just under £1,700 a ride – which could easily amount to around £80,000 a week.

No one got close to McDonald in the rankings, which is based on jockeys’ performances in the 100 highest-rated Group 1 races.

He finished the ranking period – which ran from December 1 last year to November 30 this season – some 46 points ahead of runner-up Ryan Moore.

Aidan O’Brien’s No 1 rider, who has been named world’s best three times, finished on 96 points, one spot above William Buick in third on 78 points.

Buick was crowned champion jockey in Britain for the first time owing to his incredibly successful partnership with Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby.

Jim Crowley came fourth on 72 points while Melbourne Cup winner Mark Zahra was fifth.

Frankie Dettori, 51, had to settle for seventh with 52 points thanks to a tumultuous year in the saddle.

The world’s most famous jockey will travel to the States to ride over Christmas.

He briefly split with John Gosden after the trainer questioned the Italian’s level of commitment.

Australian sensation Jamie Lee Kah finished the best of the women jockeys in ninth.

While Christophe Soumillon, who infamously elbowed Rossa Ryan out of the saddle mid-race in October, came tenth.

Belgian star Soumillon is serving a two-month ban and faces the threat of police action over his moment of madness.

James Doyle, Rob Hornby and Derby-winner Richard Kingscote were among the other Brit jockeys to crack the top 40 worldwide.

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