Leading broadcaster Matt Hill has named who he considers to be the five greatest jockeys of all time.
Hill, who is Australia’s number one race caller, was tasked with the tough job of choosing the top quartet of riders.
As Victoria said goodbye to Damien Oliver at Caulfield on Saturday, Hill was able to reflect on Ollie’s career and what made him so likeable to us racing fans.
He naturally has ‘Ollie’ atop of his list, but opted against listing the other four in order.
“You’d have to say the top five is Damien Oliver, Roy Higgins, Scobie Breasley, David Munro and Bill Williamson,” Hill told SEN SA.
“They’d be the five I’d suggest and then that’s of course not mentioning some great names like Ron Hutchison who went overseas and represented Australia.
“Even some of our great riders nowadays, where will James McDonald sit? I know he’s predominantly a Kiwi man but we’re going to claim him when he finishes.
“Damien Oliver certainly sits in that top five.
“The thing about Damien Oliver and why the punters love him, it wouldn’t matter if he was riding in a Cox Plate or in a maiden race at Bairnsdale because he’s there in the trenches for you.
“The longevity of Damien Oliver is something to behold and to do what he’s done over the last 35 years, no doubt he’s the best.
“You’ll throw names around, there’s the Glen Boss's, Jimmy Cassidy but pure stats suggest that Damien Oliver has been the best.”
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