Champion jockey Damien Oliver has been banned from racing for eight months following a hearing with Racing Victoria this afternoon.
Oliver pleaded guilty in Melbourne this morning on two charges related to the scandal that saw him bet $10,000 on a rival horse.
The 40-year-old was emotional as he read a statement at the Victoria stewards hearing, saying the stress of marriage problems led him to bet on Miss Octopussy to win the race at Moonee Valley on October 1, 2010.
He described it as the worst period of his life.
“The loss and loneliness had even taken away my own self belief,” he said.
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