Keynote speakers have been confirmed for the Cardinia Casey Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch at Gumbuya World on Friday 29 August.
Organisers have locked in the two Damiens – Oliver and Fleming – to head the bill for the 10th lunch.
Oliver retired from the saddle at the end of 2023 widely acknowledged as Australian racing’s GOAT – greatest of all time.
In a riding career spanning more than 30 years, Oliver rode 3189 winners, including an Australian record 129 Group 1 races, and won the Scobie Breasley Medal 14 times and the Roy Higgins Medal as Victoria’s premier rider 10 times, a feat only bettered by Higgins himself and Bill Duncan.
He won the Melbourne Cup three times, most famously on Irish import Media Puzzle only days after losing his brother Jason in a race fall, a feat that inspired the movie The Cup.
Organisers are in negotiations with a high profile racing personality to join Oliver on stage, but that is yet to be locked away.
Fleming is a former Test cricketer turned commentator who famously took a hat-trick on his Test debut in Pakistan.
He was also well known for his final over heroics in the 1996 and 1999 World Cup semi-finals.
A Victorian and passionate Hawthorn supporter, he was named in South Melbourne Cricket Club’s Team of the 20th Century alongside Bill Woodfull, Keith Miller and Clarrie Grimmett.
Fleming spoke at the inaugural Cardinia Casey Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch back in 2014 and was well received by the crowd.
Lunch chairman Dan O’Loughlin was thrilled with the speaking line-up, which he said would ensure another great day for patrons.
“Some of us have heard Damien Fleming before and he was brilliant at that first lunch and he’s built another decade of material since then,” he said.
“Getting Damien Oliver is a real coup. There was no better jockey in the land when he retired and he will have a fascinating story to tell.
Tables are already filling fast for the iconic event. Book your place now through Trybooking at www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1363268
