Damien Oliver gets emotional, says racing has ‘given me everything’ on eve of Melbourne Cup

Champion jockey Damien Oliver has scoffed at talk of being the greatest of all time but revealed how he would like to be remembered, as his illustrious career nears its end.

An emotional Damien Oliver opened up about his Melbourne Cup wins, being the GOAT and his legacy as the final whip in his illustrious career draws closer.

The champion jockey also auctioned off the first saddle he ever won a race on, in 1988, for charity at the traditional Cup lead-in, Call of the Card, at Crown on Monday.

It sold for $35,000, to fund Equine Pathways Australia’s ongoing support of athletes with a disability, to R.M. Williams, which plans to display the piece of memorabilia at its new flagship Sydney store.

Emma Freedman and Damien Oliver.

Oliver was interviewed by Emma Freedman, remembering that when he won the Cup on Media Puzzle in 2002 it was the smoothest ride he’d ever had. It came just days after his brother Jason passed away in a race fall in WA.

“It was pretty shattering and I was obiously a mess,’’ he said.

“Had a chat with my mother and we said he’d want me to ride in the Cup, he was a huge influence on my career. I flew back to Melbourne on that Friday and I was still not close to feeling my best.... that Cup just worked out perfectly.

Alan Eskander and Jason Richardson at the lunch at Crown.

“I’ve never had a smoother race in my life. I just couldn’t believe what a day it was, an amazing tribute to my brother. I followed him into the sport and someone I looked up to, just a great tribute to him.”

Oliver scoffed at talk of being the greatest of all time, but said what he wanted to be remembered as: “I think just a fierce competitor and I’ve ridden horses since I was a kid, so a horseman as well, and hopefully just a good bloke.”

James and Kate McDonald at Crown.

He added with a tear in his eye: “It’s given me everything I’ve got so very grateful.”

Prominent owner Lloyd Williams, who has Serpentine in the Cup, has been struck down by Covid. Those in the room included Alan Eskander, Alex Waislitz, Johnny Ingham, Gerard Whateley, James and Kate McDonald, Mark Zahra and Jordan Lewis.

Four of Melbourne’s leading rails bookmakers — Rob Waterhouse, James Filgate, Lyndon Cleary, and Warren Woodcock — were accepting bets at quoted prices.