Last year through a small comedy of errors, Corey Brown secured his first Everest ride on supper filly She Will Reign. This year again there were some interesting set of circumstances which led him to his second Everest ride on In Her Time. Coming from a family of jockeys, Brown wanted nothing more than to get on the back of a racehorse. At the tender age of 14 he was in training and at 15 he had his first ride.

 

Everest Diaries speaks to one of the most respected men in his profession about his Everest plans among other things for 2018

Q: So, let me start by asking how your Everest ride with IN HER TIME came about?

A: In Her Time is Newcastle trained. They were supposed to bring her down to Sydney for a barrier trial recently. But they were late because of heavy traffic and the trial had to be rescheduled. Her regular jockey Josh Parr wasn’t available for the second trial as he was booked elsewhere.

 

So I got the opportunity to ride her in the trial. After the trial, I really felt that she and I are a perfect match.

I immediately rang the owners. And as it happened they were looking for a jockey to ride her in The Everest. So I was in the right place at the right time and it all fell together.

 

Q: Everyone has a different story about her personality. But it’s usually a jockey who gets to know his ride the best. What is she like?

A: She is a very kind horse. She can be a bit lazy in the race. 400m is her slack spot. That’s what you’ve got to watch out for. But otherwise she is a dream ride; there are no tricks to her.

 

Q: Have you made plans to ride In Her Time before The Everest?

A: Trainers usually don’t like to change patterns with their racehorses. I would just like to see her happy and in her best form. She is best suited to mid-field so I’m hoping for a good barrier draw. Either mid-field or perhaps not too far from there would really suit us.

 

Q: And since you mentioned dreams, which horse would you like to ride, if you had your pick of the current and champions gone.

A: Without a doubt, it has to be superstar Winx. I’ve seen her backside many a times during a race. But I would love to sit on top of her, to see what kind of a motor she’s got. She is a dream horse to be sure.

 

Q: What are your plans for Pre and Post Everest?

A: Unfortunately for jockeys, the Sydney and Melbourne racing seasons overlap. This means as jockeys we have to choose where to ride from. I am hoping to stay in Sydney until the Everest. I may go down to Melbourne for a one-off ride but otherwise I will remain here. But after the Everest I will be heading to Melbourne to continue the season there.

 

Q: And what are your personal milestones?

A: Well, Australia has 4 big races. I’ve won the Melbourne Cup twice and I would like to win a Cox Plate, Golden Slipper and a Caulfield Cup before I hang up my jockey silks. They are currently at the top of my bucket list.

 

Q: Please tell us about your family life and what you plan to do after you retire?

A: I am married to Kyile and we are blessed with three beautiful daughters. Although I don’t have any plans to retire anytime soon, I actually hope to go onto the media side afterwards. I was on a TV show a few years go and it proved to be an interesting challenge. It easier to answer questions than it is to frame them. So it could be an idea to head down that road.

 

Published in EverestDiaries Issue 6, Vol 2

click To view the complete The Everest library - http://secretariatsworld.com/magazines/ED6final.pdf

 

Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretariatsworld.com