The sporting career of Simon O'Donnell reads like a country boy's dream come true. After excelling in sport at Assumption College in Kilmore, Simon moved to Melbourne to play Australian Rules Football with St. Kilda. After two successful seasons with the Saints, Simon was faced with a difficult but enviable decision – whether to concentrate on cricket or football. He chose cricket and has never looked back.
Current work
Since his retirement from cricket after the 1992/93 season, Simon followed his lifelong passion of thoroughbred horse racing. His company OTI Management Pty. Ltd., primarily a Horse Racing, Breeding and Advisory Company, was formed in 1994. Since its inception the company has had many successes on the racetrack, winning their first Group One event in 1997.
Away from the track, Simon has extensive experience with the media, in the past he has had various roles with the Nine Network and today is host of the Cricket Show and all racing broadcasts on the network. Simon enjoys national recognition through his various commentary and hosting roles with the Nine Network and is widely respected as "an easy going and genuine good bloke".
Achievements:
Whilst it may appear that Simon's sporting career followed a sure road to success, life away from sport has not been so kind. Returning to Australia in 1987, after playing in the winning World Cup Team, Simon was diagnosed as having cancer. He fought the disease for twelve months and survived.
Awards:
Not only did he survive but in 1993 Cleo readers voted him the fourth sexiest male on this planet!
