Damien Oliver one of the greats of Aussie racing, retiring

[mysaladdays]

....at end of year, at age 51.

Winner of 3 Melbourne Cups on Doriemus (1995), Media Puzzle (2002) and Fiorente (2013), 4 Caulfield Cups on Mannerism (1992), Paris Lane (1994), Doriemus (1995) and Sky Heights (1998), 2 Cox Plates on Dane Ripper (1997) and Northerly (2001), and a Golden Slipper on Forensics (2007), 7  VRC Oaks, 6 Victoria Derby wins, 5 Lightning Stakes, 5 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, 5 Mackinnon Stakes and 5 Thousand Guineas..


I watch a lot of Aussie racing, mostly in the winter, because it cheers me up when it's summer there and on cold dreary days here I know I can tune in to lovely green grounds and sunshine.   So he will be missed. 

[5wide]

I believe his brother had died the week before the 2002 Melbourne Cup. The year he won on Media Puzzle while wearing his brother’s breaches. It was very emotional. Best of luck in retirement Damian. Thanks for the thrills .

[mysaladdays]

Aug 30, 2023 14:59:28 GMT -5 5wide said:

I believe his brother had died the week before the 2002 Melbourne Cup. The year he won on Media Puzzle while wearing his brother’s breaches. It was very emotional. Best of luck in retirement Damian. Thanks for the thrills .

The mark of a true focussed professional. 

I remember feeling pretty bad for Keith Desormeaux, when his father's funeral was on April 28th, just a week or so before he was running Confidence Game in the KY Derby 2023. (though his death was 4/22)