A friend indeed
At Bendigo races on Wednesday November 27 when Darren Gauci was dislodged a few metres from the winning post, I feared it was one of racing’s terrible moments.
There is no doubt the Gauch would have won easily on Royal Mephisto, but that was irrelevant. With these horses racing at full pelt, my instantaneous thought was that another great jockey had been gravely injured.
Happily, Darren escaped miraculously with only minor bruising.
And this near-tragic accident was turned into a triumphant moment for racing by one Damien Oliver, who came out of the jockeys room to be at his mate’s side until the ambulance took him off to hospital.
A few years back in Bendigo, Damien was a prominent mourner at the funeral for local jockey Colin Browell.
While most jockeys have to be out there riding to keep the wheels of the racing industry turning, one D. Oliver always finds the time to be close to those in the most need.
We all remember the tragic loss of his father and brother along with his many falls, but his compassion for fellow riders when tragedy strikes is just as important.
What an example Damien Oliver is to this great industry.
Bendigo (Vic)