- Comes after numerous injuries in racing career including broken spine
Racing great Damien Oliver is recovering after being hospitalised following a surfing accident in Victoria.
The three-time Melbourne Cup winner revealed on social media that he had ‘came off second best in the surf yesterday’ after an incident near Torquay on Thursday.
It is understood Oliver attempted to duck under a wave when his surfboard struck a reef and was forced back towards him, leaving him with a deep cut to the neck that required medical attention.
‘I thought those ambulance days would be long over,’ Oliver wrote.
‘Cheers to the medical team at Torquay Urgent Care Clinic and Torquay ambulance services.
‘Also sending thanks to the Geelong Hospital nurses and ENT surgeons for their amazing care.’
Racing legend Damien Oliver shared this image from hospital after suffering a surfing accident
Oliver is expected to make a full recovery, as he has from a number of serious injuries during his racing career
The 53-year-old shared a photo from his hospital bed showing a bandage under his chin before later reassuring followers:
‘Thanks for the well wishes everybody. I’m all ok,’ he wrote.
Oliver, who retired in December 2023, rode more than 3000 winners during a decorated 35-year career, including an Australian record 129 Group 1 victories.
His Melbourne Cup triumphs came aboard Doriemus (1995), Media Puzzle (2002) and Fiorente (2013).
The Perth-born rider famously won the 2002 Cup just days after the death of his brother Jason, one of the most emotional moments in Australian racing history.
An avid surfer, Oliver frequently visits breaks along Victoria’s Surf Coast and has long balanced life in racing with time in the water.
Despite suffering numerous serious race-day injuries during his career, including a broken spine in 2005, he is expected to make a full recovery from this latest setback.
