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Ad Racehorse owner W. J. Broderick leading his horse, Light Fingers, ridden by jockey Roy Higgins after their win in the 1969 Melbourne Cup. (Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Roy Higgins Quality: A golden ticket into Lexus Melbourne Cup

23 March 2023 • Written by VRC

Roy Higgins was one of the finest jockeys to ever ride in Australia. His passing on Saturday 8 March 2014 left a hole in the fabric of Australian racing, as a true gentleman of the sport was lost. But his champion feats on the track, his dedication to his beloved sport of racing and his kind and generous spirit will forever live on.

The race named in his honour on Australian Cup Day is not only a legacy to this legendary jockey, but also provides a coveted golden ticket straight in to the 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup for the victorious horse and its connections.

ROY'S BRILLIANT CAREER: a snapshot

Born in Koondrook, Victoria on 5 June 1938, Roy Higgins was raised in Deniliquin, NSW, where he took an apprenticeship in 1953 to local horse trainer Jim Watters.

After establishing himself in the country he headed to Melbourne where he began a legendary career. Some of the highlights include:

  • Riding 2,312 winners, including 108 Group 1 winners.
  • Winning the Melbourne Jockey's Premiership 11 times, his first in the 1964/65 season.
  • Winning the Melbourne Cup twice on Light Fingers (1965) and Red Handed (1967), two Cox Plates on Sir Dane (1974) and Gunsynd (1972), a Caulfield Cup on Big Philou (1969) and two Golden Slippers on Storm Queen (1966) and Tontonan (1973), as well as the Victoria Derby four times and the VRC Oaks five times.
  • Becoming an inaugural inductee into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2001 and being made patron in 2006.
  • Commentating on TV and radio following his retirement in 1984.
  • Helping to establish Northern Lodge, Northern Melbourne institute of TAFE's educational thoroughbred breeding property, where he was a respected mentor and advisor. He also formed the Roy Higgins and Wylie Dalziel Racing syndication company.
  • Valued contributor and ambassador for the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour.

As well as the Roy Higgins Quality, Roy is remembered at Flemington with a bronze statue near the Hill Gate entrance.

Fast fact: 2020 Melbourne Cup winning jockey Jye McNeil also hails from Higgins’ hometown of Koondrook.

Group Racing, a Golden Ticket, and Fareground fun makes the TAB Australian Cup Race Day a pivotal day on the racing calendar and a fitting finale to the Flemington Racing Spectacular. Don't miss out on your tickets.

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