ROY "The Professor" Higgins now stands immortalised in bronze, with a statue of the legendary jockey unveiled on Sunday at Flemington, the scene of his two Melbourne Cup wins.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
The statue, by artist Judith Leman, depicts Higgins in racing attire not long before he retired from the sport in 1983.
Higgins joins only Phar Lap, Makybe Diva and Bart Cummings to be honoured with a statue at heritage listed Flemington.
Higgins-who won the Melbourne Cup in 1965 on Light Fingers and 1967 on Red Handed, both for Bart Cummings-passed away in March last year aged 75.
The 2.1 metre bronze figure will stand permanently at the Hill Gate entrance to Flemington, ready to welcome thousands of racegoers over the upcoming Melbourne Cup Carnival.
VRC Chairman Michael Burn said Higgins is remembered for much more than his feats on the racetrack.
"Undoubtedly Roy was one of the greatest jockeys we've seen, but he was just as remarkable for his contribution to racing after retirement and the way he connected with people of all walks of life," Mr Burn said.
"Roy was an Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour ambassador for years, travelling all around the continent sharing the magic of the race that changed his life. He never stopped giving back to the sport he loved. He was a great human being."
Roy Higgins’ achievements
- 2,312 winners including 108 Group 1s
- Two Melbourne Cups: Light Fingers (1965) and Red Handed (1967)
- Five VRC Oaks, five Emirates Stakes, four Victoria Derbies, three Lightning Stakes, two Mackinnon Stakes, two Newmarket Handicaps
- Racing’s “grand slam”: Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Golden Slipper
- Member of the British Empire (1976), Australian Sport Hall of Fame (1987), inaugural Australian Racing Hall of Fame (2001)
- Record equaling 11 Melbourne jockey premierships
