Confirmation was received this evening of the passing of champion jockey Roy Higgins MBE

Full story courtesy

http://www.racenet.com.au/news/9824...Roy-Higgins-MBE

Oh no, one of the greatest ever.

Vale The Professor, you were one of the Greats!

I fully concur......Roy "The Professor" Higgins was indeed one of the best of a golden era(George Moore etc).
He had an ongoing battle with his weight and would have a cigar and a black coffee for breakfast and for a special treat would "indulge" in an orange.
His death leaves us with sadness but he left an enduring legacy R.I.P.

Roy was from the old school, a real character. He used to throw money to the punters on his way home at the track when he was riding high.
He always had to ride above his weight and still won it all.
There has been mention of a State funeral which would be a fitting tribute.
Rest In Peace Roy.

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Vale Roy,
My mate and I will never forget that day in Adelaide where you went to sleep in the saddle.
Binoculars on you we prayed "Wake up Roy ,Wake up, weve got money on ya horse"
Mercifully he did and Won.

Very sad to hear of Roy's passing - gentleman of the game & I always enjoyed his appearances & stories on Sky shows etc over the years.

In the 1960s in Sydney we had George "cotton-fingers" Moore and in the 1970s Melbourne had "The Professor" and these champions invariably "got the job done" for thankful punters.
Roy's unique ability to "nurse" 2YO & 3YO fillies to perform at their best and his association with Angus Armanasco was the most lethal combination of the day particularly with the youngsters.
Roy's great rival was lightweight H. "handbrake harry" White in that era-they were the golden days of Australian racing imo.
I personally place M. "The Roddster" Rodd as his heir apparent particularly after witnessing some of his brilliant rides yesterday.
What endeared Roy to the racing public was that when he retired after years of deprivation he embarked on enjoying every morsel of delicious food which he had done without for decades.
His girth certainly widened but we smiled to see him enjoy himself after a life of achievements.

Cheers.

Cheers.