Vale The Professor as racing fraternity mourns the loss of one of the greats in Roy Higgins
ROY Higgins, the winner of 11 Melbourne jockeys’ premierships and two Melbourne Cups, has died after a short illness.
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ROY Higgins, one of AustraliaÂ’s greatest jockeys, has died after a short illness.
The winner of 11 Melbourne jockeys’ premierships and two Melbourne Cups for long-time ally Bart Cummings, Higgins was 75.
News of immensely popular Higgins’ passing plunged the racing community into mourning only hours after the glittering Super Saturday meeting at Flemington.
Leave your tribute to Roy below
Higgins was surrounded by family and close friends at Cabrini Hospital, Brighton, where he passed away in the early evening.
His family released a short statement through Higgins’ business partner Wylie Dalziel.
“Roy Henry Higgins passed away at the age of 75 surrounded by family and close friends,” the statement read.
A CHAMPION JOCKEY ... AND BLOKE
“He was a much-loved father and father-in-law to Nicole and Greg, Martine and Andrew and adored grandfather to Hayley.
“He was a loved husband of 30 years to Genine and a cherished long-time partner to Suzanne Sarkies.
“The family wishes to thank the staff of Cabrini Hospital, Brighton, and appreciates immensely the support and services provided to Roy and to us.
“We are deeply saddened at the passing one of the greatest jockeys and horsemen.”
Higgins’ family has asked for privacy as it makes arrangements for the funeral of the man known as “The Professor”.
“He was a very kind person, a very good ambassador for racing,” Cummings said.
“You don’t like to rate any champion above another because the others might get a bit upset, but Roy, he was right up there.
“For a long time Roy was a significant part of my success.”
Jim Johnson, Higgins’ great riding rival in the 1960s, treasured their rivalry and friendship.
“He was one of the greatest jockeys ever,” Johnson said.
“He had a combination of all the good things that make a great jockey.
“We were great mates, great rivals, fighting out the premiership for five years.”
“His record has him right up there with George Moore,” modern marvel Damien Oliver said.
“He was a legend, a very well-spoken bloke, but he never craved the limelight.”
Two legends together Roy Higgins and the Goondiwindi grey Gunsynd after winning the 1972 Cox Plate pic.twitter.com/4F22EIDJlU
— Greg Carpenter (@RVCarps) March 8, 2014
Very sad to hear about Roy Higgins! A true champion of the turf! I was honoured to win an award in his name last year! #Champion #gentleman
— Stephen Baster (@StephenBaster) March 8, 2014
Very sad to hear of Roy Higgins passing,outstanding Jockey & champion bloke #legend
— Samuel Hyland (@HylandSamuel) March 8, 2014
One of horse racing's greatest riders Roy Higgins has passed away.. Rest in peace, Professor.. What a champion man @7NewsSydney @7Sport
— Ryan Phelan (@ryanphelan_tv) March 8, 2014
There was immediate speculation one of the nation’s most iconic jockeys could be granted a State funeral.
Higgins is estimated to have ridden 2312 winners in a career that started on August 23rd, 1953, and ended — largely because of weight problems — in 1983.
From virtually the time his apprenticeship ended, Higgins spent the next three decades unable to ride beneath 53.5kg — yet his strike rate rarely waned.
Higgins won virtually every feature race in Australia, crowned by 108 Group 1 triumphs, and is a member of both the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.
A legendary jockey and a true gentleman. RIP Roy Higgins #professor
— Gerard Whateley (@GerardWhateley) March 8, 2014
RIP Roy Higgins - a true legend of racing. There was no finer jockey
— Ray Thomas (@RayThomas_1) March 8, 2014
Sad to hear that one of racing's greatest riders Roy Higgins has passed away... Rest in peace, Professor #champion
— Clare Lindop (@Clare1Lindop) March 8, 2014
Terrible news of the passing of the great Roy Higgins. Was a champion of Australian sport with the best nickname... #theprofessor #RIP
— Daniel Harford (@HarfSerious) March 8, 2014
April 1973- a lifelong memory with the great Roy Higgins. RIP Higgs- family friend, media workmate + racing legend. pic.twitter.com/ipWdPxgqFh
— Deane Lester (@defier1) March 8, 2014
He produced the first two of Cummings’s 12 Melbourne Cup victories — Light Fingers (1965) and Red Handed (1967) — was synonymous with the nation’s best known horses, including Gunsynd, Leilani, Storm Queen and Big Philou.
Despite the constant spectre of rising weight, Higgins’s sharp reflexes and peerless judgment saw the Koondrook-born horseman dominate nationwide.
A true professor passed away today in Roy Higgins! #gun #truehorseman #champion
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) March 8, 2014
One of my all time favourite racing photos The great Roy Higgins and the beautiful mare LIGHT FINGERS Magic Memories pic.twitter.com/WpdFpdheOV
— Greg Carpenter (@RVCarps) March 8, 2014
So saddened to here the passing of one of the greats . You were a champion Roy Higgins rip. #rodewithmypop #HallOfFame
— katelyn mallyon (@katelynmallyon) March 8, 2014
His major feature race wins include two Cox Plates, four VRC Derbies, five VRC Oaks, four Blue Diamond Stakes, two Sydney Cubs and six AJC Oaks.
On retiring from riding, Higgins filled a variety of roles.
He was recently an influential figure with Dalziel and businessman Perry Sambor in the Roy Higgins and Wylie Dalziel’s syndication operation.
Higgins was a successful media figure and also served as a consultant at the North Melbourne TAFE, instructing in horse breeding.
Higgins last week celebrated his final winner as an owner when Bring Me The Maid won at Flemington — on the same program featuring the Roy Higgins Quality race.
Dalziel described Higgins as an “inspirational figure and a great friend”.
ROY HIGGINS
Born: 5th June 1938 Koondrook, Victoria.
First ride: August 23rd, Deniliquin 1953.
First winner: 5th October 5, Statutory, Denilquin 1953.
Retired: Flemington, October 1983
FEATURE WINS
Melbourne Cup: Light Fingers 1965, Red Handed 1967.
Others: Futurity Stakes (8), VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (7), AJC Oaks (6), Craiglee Stakes (5), VRC Oaks (5), Victoria Derby (4), Blue Diamond Stakes (4), Lightning Stakes (4), Cox Plate (2), Golden Slipper (2).
Group 1 wins: 108
Total winners: 2312
Notable feats
FIVE winners in a day at Flemington in March 1972.
A RECORD eight consecutive city winners in 1973.
ON four occasions he rode four winners at a single meeting - at Moonee Valley in 1965 and 1972, Caulfield in 1968 and Flemington in 1977.
Melbourne jockeys’ premierships: 11 (record).
Champions associated with: Gunsynd, Leilani, Storm Queen.
He also won races in South Africa, France, Hong Kong and Belgium.
Awarded the Medal of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1974 for his services to racing.
1987: Inducted into the Sport Australia Hall Of Fame.
2002: Inaugural inductee into Australian Racing Hall Of Fame.
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