GOATS get together to celebrate Chris Alford’s 8000th winner

Champion harness driver Chris Alford has recorded his 8000th winner in the sulky, chalking up the record feat at Ballarat on Wednesday night and one of the first to congratulate him was racings greatest, Damien Oliver.

Retired champion Damien Oliver with his Cox Plate trophies while master driver Chris Alford shows off his Hunter Cup trophies. Picture: Josie Hayden

Champion jockey Damien Oliver was one of the first to congratulate Chris Alford after he became the first harness driver in the southern hemisphere to reach 8000 career wins at Ballarat on Wednesday night.

Alford ticked over the massive milestone when driving Im Wesley to an all-the-way victory.

HARNESS HERO CHRIS ALFORD CREATES HISTORY WITH 8000TH WINNER

The GOAT of the saddle was lavish in his admiration for the GOAT of harness racing’s sulky.

“It’s a remarkable effort, 8000 wins. It’s something I couldn’t comprehend,” said Oliver, who finished his stellar career late last year with 3189 wins, including 129 at Group 1 level.

Alford, 55, boasts 138 Group 1 wins, headed by Inter Dominion pacing victories in 1995 with Golden Reign and 2015 with Lennytheshark. He cites them as the equal best pacers he’s driven in a career spanning more than 40 years.

HE'S DONE IT!!@ChrisAlford5000 brings up win number 8000 with a victory on Im Wesley at Ballarat, harness racing history at Ballarat's Bray Raceway.
Congrats Puppet! You trots legend! pic.twitter.com/EhfY1huXVp

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) February 7, 2024

Oliver and Alford chatted at Moonee Valley recently where Oliver won two Cox Plates (Dane Ripper in 1997 and Northerly in 2001) and Alford won three Hunter Cups (Paris Affair 1999, Mont Denver Gold 2003 and Sting Lika Bee 2007).

“I can understand how much hard work has gone into getting to such a massive milestone,” Oliver said to Alford. “Enjoy it and savour the moment. Enjoy the accolades because moments like that don’t happen every day. It’s a job well done.”

* ‘DREAMS DO COME TRUE’: DAMIEN OLIVER BOWS OUT WITH MIRACLE HAT-TRICK

Oliver, 51, is similar vintage to Alford and recalls the pair crossing paths many times at Moonee Valley back in the days when the track hosted double-headers – thoroughbreds during the day and harness racing at night.

“It was a good atmosphere. We’d often have a chat with the harness racing drivers as they arrived and we were packing up,” Oliver said.

“It’s a shame the trots aren’t here (Moonee Valley) anymore. I do have fond memories of hanging around after the races in my younger days. I recall meeting Vinnie Knight, who tipped us a few for that night. They all won and we had a great night. They’re memories you never forget.”

Alford, who toyed with the idea of being a jockey in his early days, is a good friend of another top jockey Craig Williams and keeps a keen eye on thoroughbred racing.

Harness driving champion Chris Alford with his 8000th career winner Im Wesley at Ballarat. Picture: Bronte Nieuwenberg

Like so many, Alford said he was glued to a TV screen when Oliver won his last race ride on Munhamek at Ascot on December 16.

“It wasn’t just me, it was most people at Albion Park that night,” Alford said. “A heap of us were in the barn (horse stalls) and knew Damien had won the previous two races. The noise and cheering from participants was almost as much as when Leap To Fame won the Inter Dominion final on-track that night.”

Despite the long countdown to Alford’s historic milestone, he said he didn’t feel any extra pressure.

“Not really. I just kept chipping away,” he said. “I knew I’d get there, it was just a matter of when.

“It’s a great thrill and something I’m certainly proud of, but it’s nothing like the buzz of winning a really big race.”

Chris Alford after his 8000th career winner Im Wesley at Ballarat on Wednesday. Picture: Bronte Nieuwenberg

While Oliver is enjoying retirement, Alford, who boasts 15 Australian driving titles, said he was as hungry as ever to continue.

“Whether I get to 9000 wins is another thing, but I’m still enjoying it and I’m as competitive as ever. I hate losing,” he said.

What’s Oliver’s advice to Alford in this twilight phase of his career?

“Stay true to yourself,” he said. “As you get a bit older you can start to question yourself and your decisions, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to where you are by making good choices.

“I also believe you never stop learning. Sometimes you go out there trying to please other people, but when you’re at the coalface, you’ve got a better understanding than what most people on the outside do. Keep backing your own judgement.”

· Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.

Originally published as GOATS get together to celebrate Chris Alford’s 8000th winner