Damien (front right) with his brother's coffin

Oliver flew out of Melbourne on Wednesday morning to join his family in Perth for the funeral of his older brother Jason, who was killed after falling from a horse last week.

A day earlier, Oliver had won the Melbourne Cup on Irish gelding Media Puzzle in what was one of the most emotional days in Australian sport.

Oliver had ridden in his dead brother's riding pants and had tears streaming down his face when he crossed the finish line.

He said: "The Melbourne Cup doesn't mean anything to me any more.

"I'd give it away right now to have my brother back."

Oliver had decided to ride in the race as a tribute to his brother and his victory touched the hearts of a nation still coming to terms with last month's Bali bombings.

Once the race was over, Oliver announced he was taking an indefinite break from racing to spend time with his grieving family.

More than 1,000 mourners, including family, friends, members of the racing industry and other sports joined Oliver at the funeral service in Perth.

The Melbourne Cup adorned the coffin during the service at which Damien Oliver paid tribute to his brother.

"This is the day we celebrate your life mate, a life that was so fulfilled but had so much more to give," he said during his eulogy to the packed church.

Jason died last week in a Perth hospital last after failing to regain consciousness from a heavy tumble during a barrier trial the previous day.

The horse he was riding broke its leg during the run, throwing Jason head-first into the turf then landing on top of him.

Jockeys formed a guard of honour for the coffin after the funeral before Jason was laid to rest beside his father Ray, who was himself killed in a race fall in 1975.