Victorian jockeys react to Damien Oliver’s retirement announcement

Three Melbourne Cup winners led the tributes for retiring legend Damien Oliver, who all agree has been the benchmark over his career.

Damien Oliver gets a kiss from his wife after announcing he will retire later this year. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Racing was united in its adulation of Damien Oliver on Wednesday after the GOAT announced his retirement plans.

Melbourne Cup winners Craig Williams, Michelle Payne and Jye McNeil led the tributes for the fierce competitor and Australian Group 1 record holder (128), set to hang up the riding boots in December.

“He’s the benchmark for all riders,” Williams said.

“He’s great for competition … every day of the week.

“He’s hard to get past, he’s going to make our job a lot easier (when he retires) but he’s made us be the best jockeys we can be through the time we have been lucky enough to ride against Damien.”

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Payne, who has also ridden against Oliver for more than two decades, echoed the sentiment.

“He’s a great competitor, I think his sportsmanship over the years and professionalism towards the sport is second to none,” Payne said.

“Every year, year in year out he’s there at the top level. He’s been great for the industry and it will be sad to see him finish up.”

Damien Oliver with his wife Trish and children Zara, Niali and Luke at Sandown. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos

McNeil lauded Oliver’s longevity.

“That would be one of the most difficult things to manage, over such a long period of time, and as we know he’s done it so well, competed at the top the whole way through his career, which is so hard to do, but that’s what separates him from the rest,” McNeil said.

Oliver was unable to get on the winner’s list on Wednesday, but bookended the eight-race card with a pair of minor placings.

Two hours before the midweek opener Oliver fronted a press conference at Sandown watched on by his wife Trish and their three children, Zara, Niali and Luke.

Oliver, “the GOAT” to his peers, laughed and cried during the 15-minute reflection.

“It’s a bit weird for me, when I think of the term ‘GOAT’ it’s a slow horse to me than a great sportsman,” Oliver said.

“It’s a title, an honour for people to call me, if that’s what they want to then I’ll certainly take it.”

Damien Oliver speaking to the media at Sandown on Wednesday. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Oliver choked up talking about the competition and camaraderie in the jockeys’ room.

“That’s probably one of the things I will miss, the banter in the jockeys’ room,” Oliver said.

“There’s a lot of fun in between races, it’s a unique sport, you’re followed around by an ambulance and you go sit in the room and take the piss out of each other all day.

“I’ll miss that a lot but I’m sure I’ll be a regular visitor back to the races and keep in touch with a lot of them.”

Victorian Jockeys Association chief executive Matt Hyland hailed Oliver’s record as an athlete and ambassador for racing.

“The main thing is Ollie has been able to stay at the top of his game from the start right to the end,” Hyland said.

“He’s seen generations of jockeys go through and here he is, on his own terms, announcing his retirement and what a credit to the game.

“He’s the most recognisable face in the racing industry, there’s probably two, Gai Waterhouse and Ollie … his record speaks for itself, and I think the respect he has from all the members of the VJA, everyone aspires to be somewhere near Ollie.”

Originally published as Victorian jockeys react to Damien Oliver’s retirement announcement