Damien Oliver, 53, who retired from a hugely successful career in 2023, posted a photo of himself which revealed a gash beneath his chin
12:12, 21 Feb 2026Updated 12:12, 21 Feb 2026
Damien Oliver: in hospital following a surfing accident(Image: https://www.instagram.com/damien__oliver/)
A world renowned jockey who rode more than 3,000 winners before he retired in December 2023 has come off ‘second best’ on his surf board.
When Aussie Damien Oliver, 53, hung up his saddle he had ridden the winners of nearly every big race in Australia including the Melbourne Cup three times, Cox Plate twice and Caulfield Cup four times.
He won Australia’s greatest race on Doriemus in 1995, Media Puzzle in 2002 and Fiorente in 2013, which were among his 129 Group 1 victories. His 2002 success on the Dermot Weld-trained horse came just days following the death of his brother Jason, sparking hugely emotional scenes at Flemington.
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He received the Scobie Breasley Medal, awarded to Victoria’s best jockey, 14 times and when he returned to his birthplace in Perth for his final day of his long and illustrious 35 year career he won on all three of his rides, including the race which honoured him.
When not in the saddle Oliver would spend much of his free time in the sea off the Victoria coast on his surf board.
He has continued that passion in retirement but the former jockey, who broke his spine in 2005, among a number of racing injuries, was not expecting to still be checking into hospitals.
Damien Oliver (right) with Frankie Dettori(Image: Getty Images)
He acknowledged this when he revealed he had been in an accident while out surfing, posting a photograph of himself laid up with a gash under his chin.
He said: “Came off second best in the surf yesterday. Cheers to the medical team at Torquay Urgent Care Clinic and Torquay ambulance services. I thought those ambulance days would be long over
“Also sending thanks to the Geelong Hospital nurses and ENT surgeons for their amazing care.”