Roy Higgins facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Roy Henry Higgins |
| Nickname(s) | The Professor |
| Born | 5 June 1938 Koondrook, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 8 March 2014 (aged 75) Melbourne, Australia |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Professional jockey, media commentator |
| Retired | 1983 |
Roy Henry Higgins was a famous Australian jockey. He rode horses in races from the late 1950s to the early 1980s. People called him "The Professor" because he was so skilled at riding.
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Roy Higgins: The Professor of Racing
Roy Higgins was born on 5 June 1938 and passed away on 8 March 2014. He was one of Australia's most successful jockeys. His amazing talent helped him win many of the biggest races.
Early Life and Training
Roy Higgins was born in a town called Koondrook in Victoria. He grew up in Deniliquin, a town in New South Wales. In 1953, when he was young, he started learning to be a jockey. He trained with a horse trainer named Jim Watters.
A Champion Jockey's Career
Roy Higgins faced challenges during his career, but he always worked hard. He won almost every major horse race in Australia. In total, he rode 2312 winners! He also won the Melbourne Jockeys' Premiership 11 times. This was a record that no one had beaten before. His first big win was in the 1964/65 racing season.
Roy Higgins won the famous Melbourne Cup twice:
- In 1965, he won with a horse named Light Fingers.
- In 1967, he won with Red Handed.
Both of these wins were for a famous trainer named Bart Cummings.
He also won many other important races:
- One Caulfield Cup
- Two WS Cox Plates
- Five VRC Oaks
- Four Victoria Derbys
- The Blue Diamond Stakes
- The AJC Oaks six times
- Two Sydney Cups
- Two Golden Slipper Stakes
Roy Higgins rode many famous horses, including Gunsynd, Leilani, Storm Queen, Sir Dane, and Big Philou.
Life After Racing
Roy Higgins rode his last race in October 1983. After he stopped racing, he continued to work in the horse racing world. He became a commentator on TV and radio, sharing his knowledge with fans. He also taught new jockeys at the Northern Lodge Training Centre.
Awards and Recognition
In 1974, Roy Higgins was given a special award called the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This award was for his great contributions to horse racing as a jockey. In 1987, he was also added to the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. This means he is recognized as one of Australia's greatest sports heroes.
Personal Life
Roy Higgins was married to Genine, and they had two daughters. Even though they separated, they remained good friends.
Death
Roy Higgins passed away in Melbourne on 8 March 2014. He was 75 years old.
