We all know jockeys are a rare breed.
What they do takes guts and determination beyond that of an average human.
It is no wonder they all love a decent celebration when the hard work finally pays off.
We list the top five jockey celebrations as chosen by the BetDeluxe team!
Number 5
Brenton Avdulla/Fireburn
Brenton Avdulla is colloquially known within the NSW jockey ranks and with punters across Australia as ‘The Gun.’
He is a well-loved hoop and his return to senior riding this year was inspirational.
Avdulla suffered a fractured neck after a horror fall in August 2021.
He would be partnered up with two-year-old filly Fireburn who produced an amazing win in the Golden Slipper and then backed it up in the Sires Produce.
But it was not the horse who garnered attention following the Sires Produce win, it was Avdulla himself.
‘The Gun’ piloted his filly up the inside of runners and went straight past She’s Extreme who was ridden by Tommy Berry.
In the process, Avdulla turned to his left, looked at Berry, and waved his arm in a taunt that read something along the lines of ‘Common, Common, try to beat us.”
Fireburn and Avdulla would go on to record a famous victory.
Number 4
Glen Boss/Makybe Diva
Glen Boss is one more polarising figure in Australian racing, but there is no denying his star status.
‘Bossy’ loved a good celebration and his antics will never be forgotten.
Whether it was looking over his left and right shoulder for any dangers on his leading mount, or arrogantly rising out of the saddle to salute the crowd, Bossy was the man.
But his best celebration was saved for Makybe Diva’s.
After guiding one of the greatest ever horse’s to grace the Australia turf to her third and final Melbourne Cup triumph, Boss was greeted with thunderous applause and cheer as he made his way back to scale with his mare.
As he trotted to the stalls, Bossy raised three fingers on both hands and held them high in the air.
It is a moment of history any racing fan will appreciate.
Three Melbourne Cups in a row probably won’t ever happen again and Bossy saluted the feat in the best way possible.
Number 3
Frankie Dettori/Palace Pier
Frankie Dettori.
As soon as you mention his name, the mind immediately goes to his infectious smile and flying dismounts.
The champion jockey is well known for jumping off his winning rides post-race and it was no exception when he rode the winner of 2021 Queen Anne Stakes in Palace Pier.
There were plenty of media outlets and racing writers calling for Dettori to bin his most famous celebration, and we might have agreed given he is now in the twilight of his career.
One quote deemed Dettori a ‘slave’ to the flying dismount.
But you cannot hold down a man with the energy of Dettori.
Even at the ripe old age of 51, the Italian-born English-based jockey will not be stopped.
Number 2
Damien Oliver/Media Puzzle
Get the tissues out.
This has to be one of the most emotional celebrations we have ever seen on a racecourse, which makes it one of the best.
Damien Oliver is one of Australia’s greatest ever jockeys, if not the greatest.
But this Melbourne Cup win aboard Media Puzzle was made special given the tragic build up to the race.
Oliver had just lost his brother Jason to a freak riding accident and it was unknown whether he would ride in the Cup.
He would eventually saddle up the Dermot Weld-trained import and guide him to victory.
Past the post, Oliver would look up to the heavens, kiss his hand and point to the heavens.
He knew Jason was on his shoulder.
As Greg Miles put it; “Damien Oliver, riding with the spirit of Jason!”
Number 1
Brenton Avdulla/Lasquiti Spirit
The best celebration has been reserved for that man again, Brenton Avdulla.
His ride aboard Lasquiti Spirit could be the best Group 1-staying ride we have seen.
The three-year-old filly started a despite $121 outsider in the 2016 Oaks but ended up winning like a 6/4 shot.
Avdulla would take her straight to the front, string the field out like wet washing and hold on for memorable win.
As he crossed the finish line, he bowed to the stunned Flemington crowd.
It was definitely a Kodak moment!
