There will be no comebacks or farewell tours like Dame Nellie Melba or John Farnham, that’s not in Damien Oliver’s DNA. He will leave racing in the same unassuming way he came in.

Destined to be a jockey, like his grandfather, father and brother – all successful in their own right – no one could have predicted after his first win on Mr Gudbud in March 1988 at Bunbury more than 3000 winners would follow including 129 at Group 1 level.

His name, a constant in formguides since 1988 will no longer appear after the Ascot meeting on December 16, 2023, and to acknowledge his retirement, Oliver sat with Racing.com’s Sam Doran to share the stories of his Hall of Fame career in, Damien Oliver – In His Own Words.

One of only eight jockeys to win the ‘grand slam’ of Australian racing with three Melbourne Cups, four Caulfield Cups, two Cox Plates and Golden Slipper.

Oliver straddles rare air, not only as a supremely skilled jockey but to be considered in discussions for the best sportsmen over the past 50 years, with his longevity, tactical nous and determination leading his peers to nominate him as the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time).