Three-time Melbourne Cup winner launches civil action against former manager and Perth racing identity Neil Pinner over alleged misappropriation of funds.
The allegations contained in a writ filed last week cover from 2017 to December 2023.
It is understood further allegations, which could reach back decades, will be made when further documentation is obtained.
This masthead can reveal the extent of unauthorised transactions Pinner allegedly made with access to Oliver’s bank accounts.
Pinner, a former chairman of Perth Racing, managed Oliver’s financial and business affairs from May 1996 until December 2023.
According to the writ, Pinner allegedly made unauthorised payments on his own behalf from Oliver’s money and then falsely recorded those payments in MYOB journals as drawings by, or expenses of, the Hall of Fame jockey, or loans to the NJ Pinner Family Trust.
Champion jockey Damien Oliver three Melbourne Cups he won on Doriemus (1995), Media Puzzle (2002) and Fiorente (2013). Picture: Michael Klein
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Particulars of the claim include 75 unauthorised transactions between April 8 2017 and December 3, totalling $835,324.50.
A further 50 unauthorised transactions between April 4 2017 and April 14 2023, totalling $426,847.71.
Prizemoney and riding fees earned abroad, stints in Hong Kong and Japan, about $825,000 and $200,000 to $300,000 remain unaccounted for.
Pinner allegedly made unauthorised payments “to his own benefit” from a $1m redraw facility which had been created in 2015 and secured by mortgages on Oliver’s properties.
The jockey has claimed to have no knowledge of this facility until December 2023.
The balance of the redraw facility, at the time of Oliver’s discovery, was $1.07m.
The writ discloses Oliver has retained Melbourne barrister Damian Sheales.
Pinner managed a number of properties and investments for Oliver in Melbourne and Western Australian.
Oliver, completely blindsided, first discovered the allegedly misappropriated funds last year when the Australian Tax Office advised he owed about $700,000.
Oliver is seeking equitable compensation, damages, interest and costs.
Damien Oliver (centre) with fellow Melbourne Cup-winning hoops Michelle Payne and Glen Boss. Picture: Michael Klein
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The Supreme Court escalation punctuates a bitter and hurtful falling out between three-time Melbourne Cup winner Oliver and long-time friend and business associate, Pinner.
The friendship fractured last November in the lead up to Oliver’s brilliant farewell to racing in Perth.
Pinner was a notable absentee from Oliver’s raucous retirement party, surrounded by family and friends, which culminated in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame jockey riding the last three winners on the card at Ascot Racecourse, including the Damien Oliver Gold Rush aboard Munhamek.
Oliver and Pinner shared a personal and business relationship dating back to the triple Melbourne Cup-winner’s early years in the saddle.
Pinner supported and represented Oliver in the immediate aftermath to the tragic death of his brother Jason in 2002 and subsequent Cup triumph on Media Puzzle.