“It Was Death or Glory”: Damien Oliver Goes Candid as He Bids Fairytale Farewell to His Remarkable Horse Racing Career

Encompassing a jockey, Damien Oliver is a living legend in the realm of Australian thoroughbred racing. Oliver’s path in horse racing was predestined as his father, Ray Oliver, had a prosperous career up until his untimely death in a race fall at the 1975 Kalgoorlie Cup in Western Australia. The rich soil of racing heritage planted the seeds for 16-year-old Oliver, who stepped into the racing world.

Today, 36 years later, at the Perth Carnival, he decided to end victory-ridden remarkable sojourn, with a fitting swansong juxtaposing his endearing legacy, where it all started. This decision completes a perfect circle in the history of his racing epochal saga.

Horse racing phenom hangs his boots

Damien Oliver deserves the moniker “G.O.A.T.” with an unprecedented 129 G1 wins. In his final ride, Oliver, riding Nick Ryan’s Munhamek, unexpectedly turned things around, making risky decisions. Sky Racing Australia posted his post-victory interview posted on X where Oliver said, “Well, I couldn’t think of a better way to finish it–it was death or glory at the top of the straight.”

At Ascot, Ripcord and Clint Johnston-Porter appeared to be leading the race, but Oliver’s tactical cunning opened up gaps, and Munhamek came through with amazing closing strides, setting off a thunderous cheer from the crowd. Oliver was on a winning streak the last three rides, culminating in a fateful leap from the saddle. “Dreams do come true, aye. That was unbelievable,” he said today.

Oliver was one of only eight jockeys in the world who has won three Melbourne Cups, four Caulfield Cups, two Cox Plates, and a Golden Slipper in Australian racing. He also has a staggering 84 wins during the Melbourne Cup Carnival and 14 Scobie Breasley Medals for riding excellence. In light of his incredible career coming to an end, it seems appropriate to look back at the moments Oliver dominated.

Looking back at Damien Oliver’s legacy

Oliver’s decades-long skill is demonstrated by notable victories, such as the 2004 Blue Diamond with Alinghi, the 1999 Caulfield Cup with Sky Heights, and the 2021 Caulfield Guineas with Anamoe. His connection to Fiorente, owned by Gai Waterhouse, resulted in a historic Melbourne Cup victory in 2013 were some of the well-known victorious rides.

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His incredible career came to an end with his 3189th victory in today’s race. Oliver’s racing career comes to an end, but not before leaving a glowing path forward that will encourage future jockeys to stoke their passions with unwavering dedication and a “death or glory” mentality.

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