George Simon: Why racing’s best still feel it most
George Simon • December 15th, 2025 2:39 PM
Sometimes you take things for granted in this racing game.
Particularly when you've been there... Done that.
Zac Purton , James McDonald and Debbie Rogerson are fully paid up members of the been there, done that club.
Purton and McDonald have scaled heights that only the truly gifted could reach.
Both are considered two of the best jockeys in the World and their respective careers prove that.
While Debbie Rogerson's training career, alongside her husband, Hall of Famer Graeme, might pale in comparison to Purton and McDonald, she has nevertheless enjoyed considerable success in her chosen field.
Often leaving the limelight to her naturally extroverted husband, Debbie Rogerson has trained numerous high class gallopers over the years.
And she's being an integral part of Team Rogerson's huge success over many years.
You could make the reasonable assumption that Purton, McDonald and Rogerson after all the success they've experienced throughout their careers, would be dab hands at dealing with the media in the after glow of big race success.
Or maybe not.
Anyone who saw these three over achievers fulfil media commitments last weekend after further success saw how they can still be an emotional wreck.
The sheer love and admiration all three had for their respective horses , Sharp'N'Smart, Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior was clearly evident.
Watching Debbie Rogerson being interviewed on Trackside after Sharp'N'Smart's nail-biting win in the Waikato Cup you could sense her deep admiration for the former Derby winner.
Despite not having won a race for nearly eighteen months, and having to suffer the barbs of numerous keyboard warriors, Team Rogerson never lost faith in their stable favourite.
Saturday was payback time for Team Rogerson and you could see how much it meant.
The Waikato Cup is a far cry from the dizzying heights of Hong Kong International Racing but both Purton and McDonald had similar reactions to Rogerson after again dominating on the World stage.
Both Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior are rightly revered around the racing world for their incredible feats.
Purton was his usual assured self after piloting the World's best Sprinter to another astounding success.
Even so, you could sense his deep admiration for his mount.
And what about JMac?
Usually, after another Group One win, he's yahooing and throwing imaginary high fives to his adoring fans.
This time, he was speechless.
Hardly able to string together a coherent sentence.
Trust me, he's had a few opportunities to do so throughout his career.
Horses can do that to you.
