Roy Higgins

Roy Henry Higgins MBE (5 June 19388 March 2014) was an Australian jockey who rode from the late 1950s to the early 1980s. His talent in the saddle was to later earn him the nickname "The Professor".

Early life Higgins was born in Koondrook, Victoria and grew up in the southern New South Wales town of Deniliquin where, in 1953, he was apprenticed to local horse trainer Jim Watters. He rode a total of 2312 winners during his career and won the Melbourne Jockeys' Premiership a record-equalling 11 times. His first premiership win was in the 1964/65 racing season. He continued to be employed in the racing industry as a commentator on TV and radio, particularly on Melbourne radio. He also lectured in the jockey training program at the Northern Lodge Training Centre of the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE.

Higgins was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1987. He was an inaugural inductee into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2001.

Honours In the June 1974 Queen's Birthday Honours, Higgins was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to "Horse racing as a jockey".

Personal life Higgins was married to Genine. Although they were separated they remained friends. They had two daughters.

Death Higgins died in Melbourne on 8 March 2014, aged 75, following a short illness.