George Simon: Never say never
George Simon • October 28th, 2025 3:12 PM • 3 min read
Never say Never.
During my time in racing, I've lived by that mantra.
It took me years to realise horses will make a liar out of you every time you choose to question their very existence.
An old mate of mine staunchly believed you had to wait until at least ten years after a horse had departed to the great big paddock in the sky before you could confidently question its ability.
Anything less and you ran the risk of embarrassing yourself.
I've lost count of how many times I've said a certain horse could not possibly win a race.
Either before the race started or even, on the odd occasion, during a race.
Fortunately, ever since the late great Australian race caller Bill Collin's muttered that famous "Kingston Town can't win " line in the Cox Plate, race callers worldwide have a readymade excuse.
Even the greatest of all time got it wrong.
Once.
The same never say never mantra applies to Jockeys and Trainers.
Except for a couple of Kiwis.
One, a Trainer from Foxton.
The other, a Jockey from Kaipaki.
Both now resident in Sydney.
Waller and McDonald.
I don't know if there is a special word which suitably describes a couple of geniuses like Chris Waller and James McDonald.
Because surely the moniker of genius applies to both men.
It was clearly evident in the aftermath of last Saturday's WS Cox Plate at The Valley.
The thrilling victory by Via Sistina was due in no small part to Waller and McDonald and their unswerving pursuit of excellence.
For Waller it was his sixth win in the race long considered the Weight For Age championship in this part of the World.
Let that sink in for a moment.
Six. Cox. Plates.
McDonald too created his own special piece of Cox Plate history with his fourth consecutive win in the great race.
Obviously, the word greed doesn't appear to bother either of these guys.
The really scary thought is, should they so desire, both have many more years left in the game.
At their current rate, they'll smash all manner of records.
Although she was the favourite for the race, Via Sistina had her doubters after being beaten in her previous two lead up races.
When likely pacemaker Globe was scratched, the doubters went full cry believing the lack of a genuine tempo would unravel Via Sistina's chances.
They weren't far wrong, with Via Sistina prevailing by the barest of margins, but they were wrong.
I'm going out on a limb here and I'll make an exemption to my never say never mantra.
Quite simply, there will never be another NZ Trainer or Jockey that will rival the success of Chris Waller and James McDonald.
Never.
