Nearly three years post a perilous spill in the Australian Guineas that endangered his life, jockey Ethan Brown was feted at Flemington for landing Observer the Group 1 honours.
Brown rode Maximillius to a shocking downfall in the Flemington home straight of the 2024 Australian Guineas, incurring a severed liver and kidney concerns.
His return involved a tough slog, with Brown taking extra downtime after first efforts to achieve complete fitness.
A top-tier Melbourne rider nowadays, Brown anchors the Ciaron Maher barn, which conditioned Observer to win the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington Saturday.
Jack Turnbull, Maher’s National Assistant Trainer, praised Brown as a dear friend.
“I see him sometimes more than my fiancee Tian during the week,” Turnbull said.
“He’s a big part of our team. He’s there two or three mornings a week, trials, gallops and he’s one of the blokes you can ring up at any time and have a chat about the horses.
“He’s a special horse but he’s got a special rider and it’s special we got the job done today.”
As $1.85 pick, Observer triumphed half a length clear of Planet Red ($7), Sixties ($3.20) nipping at heels a short-head away third.
Observer joined illustrious ranks Saturday akin to Mahogany, a Victoria Derby spring graduate who revisited autumn for C S Hayes Stakes and Australian Guineas glory.
Hitotsu from Maher’s string did likewise after 2021 Derby, snaring 2022 Guineas fresh.
Saturday’s feat elevates Observer’s stud appeal and offers strategic flexibility for the colt, per Turnbull.
“You’ve got the Australian Cup, Rosehill Guineas, Doncaster Mile, if you waited a little bit longer, but winning this race really allows us to pivot and target races against the older horses if Godolphin desires,” Turnbull said.
“He’s probably the closest thing we’ve likened to Hitotsu in terms of his racing style.
“He’s probably not as dynamic, but his ability to be winning a Derby and coming back to be a Group 1 mile Guineas winner at his next preparation is hard to do.
“We’re in a lovely position and we can savour the moment and really enjoy the win.”
Brown’s 11th elite win came astride Observer, despite the tactical rail-hug on the hotpot.
“I’m sure the punters were thinking ‘what’s going on here’,” Brown said.
“The main thing with him is getting him to relax and settle. That meant having to go down to the fence and riding a cool, patient race on him.
“From there on in, the track is fair, we stuck to the fence and he did the rest.
“He’s a superstar.”
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