Ollie's contribution to the Australian thoroughbred racing industry have solidified his status as a living legend

During our long analysis of the 2023 Melbourne Cup field, we came across the 1993 field from 30 years ago. It was a memorable race won by Vintage Crop, the original Irish raider, with Te Akau Nick displaying great gallantry in defeat. The race also featured a list of renowned jockeys from the era, including Shane Dye, Darren Beadman, Noel Harris, Jimmy Cassidy, Frankie Dettori, and Darren Gauci, among others. However, the name that stood out was Damien Oliver, the esteemed Australian jockey, who 30 years on had only recently announced his upcoming retirement in 2023 and was currently on a farewell tour of the country. As we approached the conclusion, it was imperative that we acknowledged the achievements of Damien Oliver. His contributions to the Australian thoroughbred racing industry have solidified his status as a living legend.

Damien Oliver's 35 year distinguished racing career is characterised by numerous significant triumphs in renowned races within Australia and internationally. However, his humble beginnings can be traced back to rural Bunbury, Western Australia. At the tender age of 15, Damien secured his first victory in 1988 aboard a horse named Mr. Gudbud. His brother Jason facilitated the ride in the 1000m handicap race, where the horse went out at odds of 70-1. He then rode 66 wins across the 1988/89 season in Western Australia and was named Champion Apprentice, at aged 17. As an 18 year old he won his first G1 with Submariner for Bart Cummings in the Show Day Cup of 1990 and became the main hoop for the Freedman stable when it was winning multiple Melbourne Premierships

Regrettably, throughout his illustrious career that began at a modest regional racetrack in Western Australia, Damien Oliver has endured a significant amount of personal tragedy alongside the triumphs. His father, Ray Oliver, tragically lost his life in a racing accident during the 1975 Kalgoorlie Cup while he was still a toddler, and he also suffered the loss of his brother, Jason, in a similar racing incident in Western Australia. This devastating event occurred just days prior to the 2002 Melbourne Cup, which Oliver remarkably won astride the Irish stayer Media Puzzle, an achievement that remains etched in history as one of the most poignant and emotionally charged moments in Australian sports. In 2005, Oliver himself narrowly escaped death when he suffered a horrific fall at Moonee Valley, sustaining severe spinal injuries and two fractured vertebrae. Despite these life-threatening experiences, Oliver famously remarked, "You acknowledge the inherent risks when you choose this profession. It's rare for other sports to have an ambulance constantly following them around the field."

Throughout his career, Damien Oliver demonstrated exceptional skill and strategic prowess in the saddle, earning him a reputation as one of the most reliable and successful jockeys in the industry. From those humble beginnings in 1988, Oliver has ridden 130 Group one winners and sits as probably the greatest Australian jockey ever to mount up. Fifty-one year old Oliver boasts more than 3000 winners, including 651 in stakes' company, and earned more than $247m prizemoney for connections from 20,000 starts. Oliver is one of a select few to have won the 'grand slam' of Australian racing being the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Golden Slipper.

Some of his notable wins include the coveted Melbourne Cup, Australia’s most prestigious horse race. His victories came aboard Doriemus in 1995, Media Puzzle in 2002, and Fiorente in 2013. The Caulfield Cup, another prestigious race on the Australian racing calendar, with wins aboard Mannerism in 1992, Paris Lane 1994 and Sky Heights in 1999. Ollie's success extends to the Cox Plate, where he has clinched victory twice, riding $41 shot Dane Ripper in 1997, and the great Northerly in 2001. Oliver has secured multiple wins in the Australian Derby, including victories aboard Star of the Realm in 1991 and Mahogany in 1994. He also has multiple victories in the VRC Oaks, with Northwood Bound 1994, Jameka 2015, Miami Bound 2019 and Willowy in 2021.

Ollie also won the Golden Slipper on Forensics 2007, the Blue Diamond aboard Alinghi in 2004, Testa Rossa in the 2000 Lightning Stakes, Apache Cat, William Reid Stakes 2009, Schillaci in the Galaxy, Newmarket, Oakleigh and Lightning, all in 1992, Flying Spur in the 1996. Australian Guineas, Preferment in the 2014 Victorian Derby, Anamoe in the 2021 Caulfield Guineas and finally Munhamek in the G1, 2023 Gold Rush. Oliver's tally of Internationally recognised Group 1 wins outside Australia is 4 - all in New Zealand: 1995 Wellington Cup aboard, Ed, 1998 NZ Derby, on So Casual, 2001 Zabeel Classic, Zonda & 2010 Auckland Cup aboard Zavite.

Ollie demonstrated his exceptional prowess has never left him during his final ever rides in Western Australia. His three straight victories on Devine Belief, Magnificent Andy, and Munhamek to wind up his career showcased his remarkable horsemanship. Notably, his triumph in the Damien Oliver Gold Rush race, named in his honour, elicited a standing ovation from the huge crowd at Ascot Racecourse. Oliver strategically positioned Munhamek well back, patiently awaiting an opportune moment, then split the gap to surge ahead and secure victory in his signature style. Moreover, Ollie's retirement race, fittingly culminated in a Group one victory, underscoring his enduring talent and leaving a lasting legacy in the sport. This prestigious final achievement further emphasises his exceptional career and solidifies his status as a legendary figure in the racing world. Thanks Ollie.