Leading jockey James McDonald has paid Billy Slater the ultimate compliment after the NRL legend‘s return for Melbourne Cup was confirmed. Slater stunned the sporting world last year when the Melbourne Storm champion showed off his horse riding skills while conducting post-race interviews during the Cup carnival.
Slater, who has a background as a track-work jockey and runs a breeding business with wife Nicole, was on horse-back to interview the winning jockeys after every race. The Queensland State of Origin coach is returning to the role in 2025 and will once again be part of Channel 9’s coverage of the great race on Tuesday.
Billy Slater and wife Nicole (R) are massive horse racing enthusiasts. Image: Getty
Speaking last week, McDonald was full of praise for Slater after being interviewed by him a number of times. “I’m a huge fan of Billy Slater,” McDonald said. “I’ve known him for a while now, so I’ve got great respect for him – amazing player, amazing person, and he’s just brilliant to chat to.
“With his stature and what he’s achieved in sport, it’s a really good feeling cantering up next to him – he’s got street cred, hasn’t he? He asks some brilliant questions, and it really added to the whole atmosphere. You can tell he loves it, and you feed off that vibe. You can’t help but be motivated.”
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McDonald said after last year’s Cup carnival: “It’s been awesome from a personal point of view. He’s a sportsman, one of the best we have ever seen, so he knows what it’s all about.
“Basically, this is our State of Origin as well and he can feel it and you really bounce off him. It’s obviously an honour and a privilege to talk to him after a race, that’s for sure.”
Billy Slater interviews James McDonald on Melbourne Cup day. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Billy Slater returning to popular role for Melbourne Cup
The reaction of fans and pundits to Slater’s career turn was overwhelmingly positive. And there’s plenty of excitement at seeing him back in the saddle on Tuesday at Flemington.
The NRL legend said it’s been “surreal” to get back to his roots after working as a trackwork jockey for Gai Waterhouse when he was a teenager. “It’s a real surreal moment for myself actually,” he said on Channel 9. “I get the opportunity to grab and talk to the jockeys directly after they win some of the biggest races of their career. We just had Damien Oliver, the legendary jockey himself, walk past and say g’day. Really pinching myself at the moment.”
Billy Slater is back in the saddle for the Melbourne Cup. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)
He said last year: “It’s going to be so exciting to be on the team that goes down and broadcasts the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Those four days at Flemington, it’s going be really exciting to be there and bring all our viewers into the action.
“I’ll get the ability to get in behind the barriers and talk to some of the jockeys after they win some of the biggest races of their life. I might find myself on a horse and get out there amongst it and give the viewers an insight into what they are thinking and how calm it can be behind a barrier. Then also how emotional it can be after a race and talking to the jockeys that work so hard to get there.”