Jason Oliver, brother of champion jockey Damien passed away this evening after a race fall suffering critical head injuries.

Whether or not Damien decides to ride on Melbourne Cup Day is irrelevant at a time like this and I would hope that the press show due respect and give Damien time alone with his family.

Sympathies to Damien and family.

Yes Equine, what a tragedy... I think as punters we forget the dangers of our racing, and unfortunately it is an all too common. I suppose the only solace is they were doing what they loved and did best. But what an aweful loss for their families. I see his father died when he was only five in a similar incedent. My thoughts are very much for all those concered.

My deepest sympathy to relatives and friends of Jason Oliver, especially his mother Pat and brother Damien – such a tragedy!

Courtesy – The West Australian

JASON OLIVER'S jockey mates, stunned by his death last night, paid tribute to the highly- talented and happy-go-lucky young man from a tragic racing family.

"We can't believe they've gone through another racing tragedy. ( Jason’s father), Ray Oliver was a premierships and cups-winning jockey who died in a terrible fall in his mid-30s."

Five horses and jockeys crashed in the Boulder Cup. Ray, the only rider seriously injured, was flown to Perth for treatment but died a few hours later.

He had won the Perth Cup on Rendition (1958) and Fait Accompli (1972).

In 1991, Jason rode Boulder Cup winner Kaysart and was emotional as he returned to the weigh-in area.

Jason was a third-generation jockey. Ray's father, Gerry, rode Hannans Handicap winners at Kalgoorlie in 1938 and 1940. He won the 1965 Kalgoorlie Cup on Colour Correct.

The 1958-59 and 1959-60 Perth apprentices' premierships were won by Ray.

Jason Oliver, 33, rode almost 700 winners on WA tracks, won major Ascot carnival races and was successful in Victoria.

Jason began race riding in August, 1984 and was the leading Perth apprentice in 1987-88.

He won the 1990 Railway Stakes on Medicine Kid, 1991 Beat Diabetes Stakes on Old Role and 1994 Karrakatta Plate on Jacks Or Better.

Jason, who had several stints in Victorian racing, returned to Perth 10 months ago. He had 6074 mounts on WA tracks for 347 city and 350 country wins.

His last Perth winner was Lady Avonlea at Belmont on October 7. Bold Leader, at Albany last Sunday week, was his final winner.

[ This Message was edited by: Paddy on 2002-10-30 07:04 ]

I was at the Kalgoorlie racecourse the day that Ray Oliver died in that terrible fall in the Boulder Cup. I will never forget that day as it happened just past the grandstand as the horses left the straight.A number of horses fell while most of the rest of the field were so badly interfered with that they were virtually out of the race.
It is a tragedy when it happens, but how must Damiens mother feel to first have it happen to her husband at such a young age and then to one of her children. Also, how is she going to feel as she watches Damien ride. She will probably be sick with worry.

It was a terrible incidence and one has to wonder sometimes how and why fate can deal a hand that means a family is forced to go through such a tragedy not once but twice in their lifetime.

I am not attempting to be smart or disrespectful, but this story has gained a larger profile by virtue of the fact that Jason and Damien were brothers....so at this time I would also like to pay my respects to
the families of the other jockeys who have been severely injured or lost their lives in similar incidences....who we may have not paid as much attention to over the years.

I guess the reason I say this is that we often forget that jockeys risk their well-being and life every time they go out to ride. A 50kg man trying to navigate a 525kg animal around a turning track at speeds of over 60km per hour squeezed in amongst numerous others comeptitors doing the same in an attempt to cross the finish line first must surely rate amongst the most dangerous sports in the world.

We often marvel at the bravery of race car drivers and they are indeed brave sportsman. However relatively speaking they have the luxury of being in control of a machine with outstanding safety features that barring severe mechanical failure, responds directly to the actions of the driver.

Jockeys on the other hand have to control an animal that has an instinctive mind of its own, who's behaviour cannot always be predicted or controlled...and they have no protection other than a cap and 1kg vest.

We are all critical of jockeys at some stage and it's a shame that it take a tragedy for us to think about it.....but I think this is an appropriate time for all to reflect on the bravery of the jockeys who help make our chosen sport so great.

Further to my post above, lets spare a thought for Cyril Small and Kim Bell. Story below from AAP:


Wednesday, 30 October 2002: Jockey Cyril Small and Kim Bell face long spells on the sidelines after suffering severe injuries in a race fall at the Gold Coast last weekend.

Small faces at least six months away from race riding as he recovers from the horror fall.

Small, best known for his association with the great Queensland performer Vo Rogue, has been fitted with a back and neck brace.

He will spend the next two weeks at the Allamanda Hospital on the Gold Coast and will then begin a a course of treatment involving a magnetic machine to assist his recuperation from eight fractures in his neck and back.

One of the fractures was more than halfway through the C2 vertebrae in his neck and doctors told Small had it been completely broken he would have died.

Bell sustained a broken collar bone and broken leg in the fall.
An inquiry into the fall will not be held until Small and Bell are able to give evidence.