Jockey Damien Oliver's saddle up for auction

The saddle that Damien Oliver used to ride his first winner will be auctioned at the Melbourne Cup Call of the Card.

The annual event on Melbourne Cup Eve, November 6, at Crown Casino will see the saddle that Oliver used to ride Mr Gudbud to victory at Bunbury in Western Australia in 1988 go under the hammer.

All proceeds from the auction will go to fund Equine Pathways Australia’s ongoing support of athletes with a disability who wish to engage, or re-engage, in equine pursuits.

In addition to money raised at the Call of the Card, proceeds from EPA’s partnership with the Melbourne Racing Club Foundation’s “Life After Racing” program go to people from the racing industry who, through illness or injury, are unable to work, or ride to the extent they may have previously.

Many don’t have insurance or NDIS funding, so funds are used to ensure financial circumstances do not prevent them from being involved.

EPA was established in 2017 and has given people with a disability engagement in equestrian activities and enabled their dreams to become reality.

Working with horses in any field has its risks and this applies to the racing industry where those risks are amplified on a daily basis.

Jockeys Kate Nipperess, Brenton Primmer, Kate Brooks, Andrew Findlay and Juana Andreou have all benefitted from EPA’s founder, Julia Battams’ expertise.

Des O’Keffee and Oliver will continue their work with EPA, where over 100 riders Australia wide participate in the program, to ensure the funds raised are used in the most appropriate way.