Top jockey Ethan Brown reveals how trainer Ciaron Maher talked him out of retiring

Ethan Brown was considering hanging up the saddle after a scary race fall until trainer Ciaron Maher gave him some wise advice.

“You’re delusional. Being a jockey is the best job in the world.”

The advice from champion trainer, friend and mentor Ciaron Maher helped star jockey Ethan Brown to get back in the saddle after a turbulent 12 months.

Brown, a seven-time Group 1 winner including six for Maher, pondered other career paths in 2023 as he recovered physically and mentally from a serious race fall at Flemington.

The 25-year-old, now one of Melbourne’s leading jockeys, returned too soon initially, about six months after the 2023 Australian Guineas incident, and stepped away from the sport.

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A trip to Sydney to visit Maher during that mental break from racing, coupled with a love and passion for the horse, ultimately compelled Brown to return.

“I did sit down with Ciaron … I said what’s it like training?” Brown said.

“It crossed my mind a bit … he said do what you want but you’re delusional if you think it’s going to be a walk in the park. He said you’re much better off being a jockey.

“He said being a jockey is the best job in the world.

“I’d been told that a few times and that was the icing on the cake, when he said that I thought I better come back and have a crack.”

Brown has ridden 54 winners this season to date, including four at the highest level.

He credited “a village” of family, friends and mentors, for the support, including jockey and fiancee Celine Gaudray, his and her parents, manager Philip Roost and Maher.

“It’s been very stop start but I’ve picked up good momentum now with some good support,” Brown said.

“It’s a lot of people behind the scenes, great family, friends, partner Celine, a lot of people I should give a mention to but the list is probably too long.”

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Brown and Gaudray became engaged last December.

“It feels like we’ve married 20 years,” Brown laughed.

“We know each other very well, been through thick and thin and she’s stuck solid by me.

“I had to deal with a lot myself but she copped a lot of the backlash, my whinging and all the rest of it … she always had something positive to say, which kept me going.”

Gaudray and Brown recently rehomed ex-racehorse Buffalo River.

Buffalo River, trained by the late Michael Moroney, gave Gaudray her first stakes wins.

Buffalo River, a nine-time winner from 60 starts was officially retired last month.

“For a horse that came off the track a couple weeks ago, he’s quieter than all my other horses,” Gaudray said.

“I messaged Mike one afternoon (last year) and said if you don’t have a home for Buffalo I’d me more than happy to give him a five star home.

“They (owners) were all more than happy to give him to me … he gave me my first Group and Listed wins, I’ll never forget that and the least I can do is give him a good home.”

Ethan Brown with fiancee Celine Gaudray at their Skye property with Buffalo River, who ran in last year’s All-Star Mile. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Brown, meanwhile, has warned Light Infantry Man should not be underestimated in the All-Star Mile on Saturday at Flemington.

Light Infantry Man, the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) winner in Perth last December, finished sixth behind Mr Brightside in the Futurity Stakes (1400m), only beaten 2½ lengths.

The All-Star Mile has largely been billed a three-horse race between Mr Brightside, Another Wil and Tom Kitten.

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Light Infantry Man is $17 to cause a boil over.

“He’ll run a lot better than his odds suggest,” Brown said.

“I feel that horse has really turned a corner since Perth, when he first came here (from UK) he was very hot and immature, it’s taken him a bit to adapt to Australia.

“If that race sets up well for him, he’ll run a blinder, he’s humming at the moment.”

The main aim early in the All-Star Mile is to get Light Infantry Man settles into a rhythm.

“He’s got a big tank on him and a nice big action,” Brown said.

“Wherever he lands I need to have him relaxed, in a rhythm.

“If things set up and he gets an economical run he’ll make his presence felt. Whether he can beat Brightside I’m not sure, but I think he’s a top three hope under the right circumstances.”

Originally published as Top jockey Ethan Brown reveals how trainer Ciaron Maher talked him out of retiring