Damien Oliver retires with 'epic' victory in fairytale Gold Rush farewell
The legendary Aussie jockey couldn't have gone out any better.
Aussie jockey Damien Oliver has finished his glittering horse racing career with a victory in the Gold Rush to exit as a legend. Oliver left the racing community in historic form having won the last three races at Ascot having finished the day winning on Munhamek in astonishing fashion.
The 51-year-old was handed gate 17 and was sitting third last after the final turn. However, in an astonishing turnaround, Munhamek powered home to end up winning in a show stopping race that summed up Oliver's illustrious career.
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The win made it a hat-trick with Oliver running to victory on Devine Belief and Magnificent Andy at Ascot. And having stormed home for the win, Oliver admitted he gave the final race of his career its all.
It was death or glory at the top of the straight," Oliver said after his final career race. "But I knew, I had a bit of confidence in this horse, he could take the gaps and (trainer) Nick Ryan did a great job with him.
"I just had to point him in the right direction when the gaps came … it was a great feeling." Oliver's last win was on Melbourne Cup day. Trainer Nick Ryan labelled Oliver as the all time great. "What a ride. He is just the greatest. Could you have scripted it? I don't think so."
Oliver has won the Melbourne Cup three times, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and the Golden Slipper during his career. He was inducted into the Australian Hall of Fame for racing in 2008 and has finally decided to step aside as a jockey. The racing world was quick to praise Oliver for a monumental career and an even more staggering sign-off to the fans in Perth.
Retirement done right 👏🏻
Damien Oliver rides off into the sunset having won his final three races, including his last - the G3 Damien Oliver Gold Rush - aboard MUNHAMEK @nryanracing 👇pic.twitter.com/gsLEyGnnTR— World Horse Racing (@WHR) December 16, 2023
In his last ever race, in the race named after him, legendary jockey Damien Oliver comes through the middle for a dream finalé. Champion pic.twitter.com/o4oTzUQEHw
— Jarv (@JarvFromOz) December 16, 2023
Damien Oliver!
The goat of Australian racing goes out a winner, special moment to be here trackside pic.twitter.com/GnVCfLQge0— Cameron Newbold (@newbs63) December 16, 2023
It’s a fairytale finish for Damien Oliver. A true legend. ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/bNP3ztYqRI
— Perth Racing (@PerthRacing) December 16, 2023
Damien Oliver relieved after final race of career
The legendary jockey admitted after his final race their was a sense of relief having done his best and admitted 'dreams to come true' after a fairytale finish. "It's a bit of relief," he said after the final race.
"It's been overwhelming, the crowd here at Ascot today, what a wonderful reception. I think it's the biggest crowd I've seen here, just the applause and the roar I got for those last three winners, I'll never forget it." Oliver was seen hugging his family in front of the new Damien Oliver stand at the race course with the jockey born in Perth.
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