“Final Ride”: Capping Off Horse Racing Career, Damien Oliver Clinches Ascot Hat-Trick

In the final blaze of his 108-day farewell tour, Damien Oliver orchestrated a spectacular racing symphony that resonated with Perth and Australian racing aficionados. His swansong caused goosebumps for his ardent fans. Against the backdrop of Ascot’s pulsatingly scintillating atmosphere, a record crowd of 8000 bore witness to Oliver’s masterclass as he guided Devine Belief, Magnificent Andy, and Munhamek to consecutive victories, leaving an indelible mark on the sport’s history. His 3189 winners will surely go down in horse racing epoch.

Amidst the cheers and tears that punctuated this momentous evening, Oliver, 51, in a poignant reflection, hinted at the warmth he felt throughout the day. Amidst the thunderous applause and heartfelt tributes, did his sentiments allude to more than just the racing triumphs?

Damien Oliver’s pièce de résistance ends gloriously

Recently, Ladbrokes.com.au shared an emotional journey on X, about Damien Oliver, that moved everyone to tears. Amidst the buzz of final interviews, Damien Oliver, alongside his family on this momentous last hurrah, acknowledged the warmth of the day. “It’s gonna be warm, so i’ll be sweatin it out today. It’s great to have my family here on the final goodbye, and great to have them here to share the special day with us all,” he remarked warmly before heading out for his last races. As the interviews continued, a sense of pride lingered in Oliver’s words when asked about the legacy he was about to leave. “Are you aware of the legacy you’re about to leave? Are you proud?” The response was resolute. “Yeah, absolutely. I suppose you know me by what I’ve achieved,” Oliver replied, acknowledging the weight of his achievements.

In the arena, Oliver’s competitive nature shone through, emphasizing the desire to win even as success bred more competition. Despite the enormity of the moment, he remained humble and grateful for the overwhelming reception. It was captioned as “It was a moment that no racing fan will ever forget–Damien Oliver weaving a passage on Munhamek to win The Gold Rush in his final ride! We were in Perth with Ollie and his family to capture all of the emotions that were present for his last day in the saddle!”

A thrilling Ascot victory

In a riveting $1.5 million Ascot race, Damien Oliver faced a daunting challenge from barrier 17 but delivered a breathtaking performance, surging from third-last on the rail to a triumphant three-quarter-length victory. The win ended a dry spell for Oliver since Melbourne Cup Day and set the stage for subsequent victories with Magnificent Andy and Munhamek, accentuating in an unforgettable conclusion to his illustrious 35-year career.

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Surrounded by an ecstatic crowd, Oliver expressed immense gratitude for the overwhelming support, especially as he bid farewell. As chants of “Ollie, Ollie, Ollie, Oi, Oi, Oi” echoed through the newly-named Damien Oliver Stand, Oliver embraced the emotional moment, thanking the Perth crowd for their unwavering backing.

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