Image: Bruno Cannatelli
Observer has added the Australian Guineas to his victory in the Victoria Derby at Flemington.
A fall in Guinea, Australia, almost claimed Ethan Brown’s life, but three years on the jockey was the toast of Flemington after he guided Observer to success in the feature Group 1.
Brown was aboard Maximillius when the pair crashed on the Flemington straight in the 2024 edition of the Australian Guineas, leaving the jockey with a ruptured liver and kidney problems.
It was a long journey back for Brown, who after an initial comeback decided to take another break to get his body back in order.
Brown is now one of Melbourne’s most sought-after riders and is a key part of the Ciaron Maher stable, the Observer trainer who took out the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Maher’s national assistant coach Jack Turnbull said Brown was one of his best friends.
“I sometimes see him more during the week than my fiancée Tian,” Turnbull said.
“He’s a big part of our team. He’s there two or three mornings a week, trying to test, galloping and being one of the people you can always call to have a chat about the horses.
“He is a special horse, but he has a special rider and it is special that we got the job done today.”
Observer dismissed the $1.85 favorite to score a half-length win from Planet Red ($7) with Sixties ($3.20) a close third.
Observer entered a rare atmosphere on Saturday when he joined Mahogany as winner of the Victoria Derby in the spring and returned the following autumn to win the CS Hayes Stakes and Australian Guineas.
The Maher-trained Hitotsu bounced back from his Derby success in 2021 to become the first to win the Guineas in 2022.
Turnbull said Saturday’s success was important for Observer and secures his future as a stallion, while also opening up options for the colt.
“You’ve got the Australian Cup, Rosehill Guineas, Doncaster Mile, if you wait a little longer, but winning this race allows us to turn around and focus on racing against the older horses if Godolphin wishes,” Turnbull said.
“He’s probably the closest to Hitotsu in terms of his racing style.
“He’s probably not that dynamic, but his ability to win a Derby and come back in his next preparation as a Group 1 mile Guineas winner is difficult to achieve.
“We are in a great position and we can enjoy the moment and really enjoy the victory.”
Brown, who recorded his 11th Group 1 win aboard Observer, said it was not ideal to be on the fence aboard the odds-on favourite.
“I’m sure the punters were thinking ‘what’s going on here?’” Brown said.
“The most important thing with him is to relax and calm down. That meant going to the gate and running a cool, patient race on him.
“From then on the track was fair, we stayed at the fence and he did the rest.
“He’s a superstar.”
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