Champion jockey Damien Oliver was one of the first to congratulate Chris Alford after he became the first Southern Hemisphere harness rider to reach 8,000 career wins in Ballarat on Wednesday night.
Alford achieved this huge feat when he led Em Wesley to a landslide victory.
Harness Hero Chris Alford makes history with his 8,000th winner
The Saddle Goat was lavish in his admiration for the harness racing goat.
“It's an amazing effort, 8,000 wins. It's something I couldn't comprehend,” said Oliver, who finished his amazing career late last year with 3,189 wins, including 129 at Group One level.
Alford, 55, has 138 Group 1 wins, highlighted by Inter Dominion victories in 1995 with Golden Reign and 2015 with Lennytheshark. He cites them as the best players he has managed in a career spanning more than 40 years.
Oliver and Alford spoke at Moonee Valley recently where Oliver has won two Cox Plate titles (Dyne Reaper in 1997 and Northerly in 2001) and Alford has won three Hunter Cups (Paris Affair 1999, Mount Denver Gold 2003 and Sting Leica B 2007).
“I can understand how much hard work you've put in to reach this huge milestone,” Oliver told Alford. “Enjoy it and enjoy the moment. Enjoy the accolades because moments like this don't happen every day. It's a job well done.”
* “Dreams have come true”: Damien Oliver farewells a miraculous hat-trick
Oliver, 51, is like the Alford family and remembers the couple crossing paths several times at Moonee Valley in the days when the track hosted dual races — thoroughbreds during the day and races at night.
“It was a good atmosphere. We would often have a chat with the motor racing drivers when they arrived and we would pack our bags,” Oliver said.
“It's unfortunate that trotting isn't here (Moonee Valley) anymore. I have fond memories of hanging out after races in my younger days. I remember meeting Vinnie Knight, who tipped us a little bit for that night. They all won and we had a great night. They are memories that will never go away.” Never forget it.”
Alford, who thought about being a jockey in his early days, is good friends with another top jockey Craig Williams and a keen watcher of thoroughbred racing.
Like many, Alford said he was glued to the TV screen when Oliver won his last race aboard Monhamc at Ascot on December 16.
“It wasn't just me, it was most of the people at Albion Park that night,” Alford said. “A large number of us were in the paddock (horse stalls) and learned that Damien had won the previous two races. The noise and cheering from the participants was almost as great as when Leap To Fame won the Inter Dominion final on track that night.
Despite the long countdown to Alford's historic achievement, he said he did not feel any additional pressure.
“Not real. I kept chopping,” he said. “I knew I would get there, it was only a matter of time.
“It's very exciting and I'm definitely proud of it, but it's nothing like the buzz of winning a really big race.”
While Oliver is enjoying retirement, Alford, who has 15 Australian captaincy titles under his belt, said he was more hungry than ever to keep going.
“Getting 9,000 wins is another thing, but I still enjoy it and I'm more competitive than ever before. I hate losing,” he said.
What is Oliver's advice to Alford at this late stage in his career?
“Be honest with yourself,” he said. “When you get a little older, you can start to question yourself and your decisions, but at the end of the day, you have to get to where you are by making good choices.
“I also believe that you never stop learning. Sometimes you go out there trying to please others, but when you're on the coal surface, you have a better understanding than most people do on the outside. Continue to support your own judgement.”
· Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor who writes about harness racing for News Corp.
Originally published as GOATS gather to celebrate Chris Alford's 8,000th winner
