Jim Cassidy has ended his marvellous ride on the racing rollercoaster.

There were no wins or even placings for the champion jockey in his last three competitive rides, nor the chance to add to his 104 Group One wins.

He was daring to the end, steering Distant Rock to the outside to find better ground in the final race and forcing James McDonald on Zebrinz to go with him.

Cassidy's tactics didn't pay off for him but proved to be the catalyst for his fellow Kiwi's win.

"Ring-a-ding-ding, Pumper's the King," declared McDonald.

"He's unbelievable. I followed him everywhere in the race.

"All credit goes to the Pumper."

The racing community ensured Cassidy would end his career on a high and overwhelmed the New Zealand-born hoop with support on his final day in the saddle.

"It's been a marvellous ride," Cassidy said.

"The support that I've had from trainers, owners and also fellow riders today has been very overwhelming.

"It will take probably a week or two to sink in when I see them going around on Saturdays and Wednesdays.

"I'm very proud of what I've been able to achieve."

Cassidy won racing's grand slam of the Melbourne Cup (twice), Caulfield Cup (twice), Cox Plate and Golden Slipper.

He missed the chance to win a sixth VRC Oaks at Flemington on Thursday when his mount Dawnie Perfect was scratched.

The 52-year-old was not about to let that overshadow his last day.

"That's racing, it's the way the cookie crumbles I say," Cassidy told AAP.

"I've said it for a long time and that's what happens in racing, you're there one minute and you're not the next. It's just the way things are."

Nicknamed the Pumper, Cassidy is one of only four riders to have notched 100 Group One winners.

The secret to his longevity in the tough and competitive profession comes down to self-belief and backing your own ability.

"I'm tough. I've ridden the rollercoaster ride and I'm still here," he said.

"I never say never. If I had said never, well I wouldn't be here today."

His fellow jockeys formed a guard of honour for Cassidy.

"He's an icon of the sport. An icon of the jockeys' room, a real character who'll be sorely missed," Sydney's leading jockey Hugh Bowman said.

Kiwi hoop Michael Walker grew up idolising Cassidy before having what he describes as the huge privilege of riding against him.

"Amazing rider through his ups and downs and he's been a real idol for me, and a great friend to me throughout my career," Walker said.

"He's an inspiration for anyone."

Cassidy rode Kiwi to his famous last-to-first Melbourne Cup win in 1983, and led all the way on Might And Power to win his second Cup in 1997.

He rode Grand Marshal in his final Cup on Tuesday and rates seeing Michelle Payne win on Prince Of Penzance as one of the greatest things to happen in his 36 years in racing.

"It was probably one of the most touching moments of my life to see a lady rider come out and win one of our greatest races throughout the world."