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The highest-rating performances of Damien Oliver’s career.
Damien Oliver's announcement that he will bring down the curtain on his riding career at the end of the year will spark lots of nominations for the best rides and biggest wins of his decorated career.
There are plenty to choose from, with the 51-year-old having ridden well over 3000 winners, including an Australian record 128 Group 1 wins.
Northerly contributed three of those elite-level wins, including one of Oliver's two Cox Plate victories, and the Western Australian warrior stands alone as Oliver's highest-rated performer.
His peak Timeform rating was 129, which he ran in his second Cox Plate win, with Patrick Payne aboard, but also when he ran down Sunline in an epic Feehan Stakes in 2001, which was Oliver's first ride on the gelding.
All up, Oliver rode a staggering 117 horses that ran to a Timeform figure of at least 120 including 20 who went to at least 125.
DAMIEN OLIVER'S TO-RATING HORSES
129 – NORTHERLY: 2001 Feehan Stakes win
128 – SCHILLACI: 1992 The Galaxy win
128 – GRAND ARMEE: 2004 Mackinnon Stakes win
127 – TESTA ROSSA: 2000 Futurity Stakes win
127 – DESERT WAR: 2007 Queen Elizabeth Stakes win
127 – WHOBEGOTYOU: 2009 Feehan Stakes win
126 – APACHE CAT: 2009 Australia Stakes win
126 – MANIGHAR: 2012 Queen Elizabeth Stakes second
Oliver also rode a dozen horses who ran to 125, including his highest-rated filly or mare, Alinghi, who posted her career peak figure when winning the 2005 Newmarket Handicap.
That was also the rating returning in two of his three Melbourne Cup wins, Doriemus (1995) and Fiorente (2013).
His other 125-raters were Danasinga (Doomben Cup second), Bel Esprit (Caulfield Guineas second), Danleigh (All Aged Stakes win), Road To Rock (Queen Elizabeth Stakes win), Terravista (Black Caviar Lightning second), Sky Heights (Caulfield Cup second), Casino Prince (Doncaster Mile second), Paris Lane (Mackinnon Stakes win), Nicconi (Black Caviar Lightning win).
