THE SUNSHINE COAST NEWSPAPER COLUMN - DAMIAN BROWNE, HAPPIEST AT HOME ON THE COAST

By Graham Potter | Sunday, March 8, 2015

Graham Potter writes a weekly column for the Sunshine Coast daily. Due to demand from those having trouble accessing the paper these columns are now also published on HRO courtesy of the Sunshine Coast daily.

The local racing community need have no fear ... the Sunshine Coast’s champion jockey will be staying right where he is!

Damian Browne is accepted and respected as one of the best riders in the land. His four Group 1 wins last season was testament to his big-race-winning character and when his combination of skill and calm demeanour helped extract Pride Of Dubai from a precarious interference situation in the Blue Diamond last week, before the pair raced on to victory, his already solid reputation was further enhanced.

Pride Of Dubai’s win was Browne’s second success in a million dollar race in as many months. It also gave him back to back wins in the Blue Diamond, as outstanding achievement in itself.

So, you could be forgiven for thinking that, with his most significant successes coming down south in the big money environment, where his strike-rate has caught everybody’s attention, that Browne might just be tempted to relocate to seemingly, beckoning greener pastures.

You would be wrong!

“I’m not really interested, to be honest,” said Browne. “Peter (Snowden) approached me about moving down there when he first started training but I’ve got a young family and I’m happy to bring them up here.

“I think it is fair to say I’m in the twilight of my career. I probably haven’t got that many years left in me so I’m more than happy to stay here.”

I pushed Browne further. “But is that not perhaps all the more reason to take the plunge and try to secure a rich return in your closing seasons?”

“No. I’m very happy at the Sunshine Coast,” answered Browne. “Here and there they’ve given me the opportunity to go down south on occasions, but I certainly wouldn’t want to do it every week.

“I’m very happy where I am at this stage of my life.”

Turning down a possible offer from the ever-powerful Snowden stable confirms just how well settled Browne is at the Sunshine Coast.

If you want further evidence of how laid back and comfortable Browne is, take this exchange as an example.

In January Browne journeyed to New Zealand and gave the Liam Birchley trained Hardline a peach of a ride to snare the honours in the Karaka Million. In February Browne took out the $1 Blue Diamond on Pride Of Dubai.

Two million dollar races in two months! I asked Browne, “What’s the plan for March.”

“A holiday,” was his reply. I liked that.

In Browne’s case it certainly doesn’t signify any lack of commitment. Neither can his ambition be faulted and Browne can never be accused of being greedy or self-absorbed.

In a world where the black dog prowls looking for prey, Browne has secured a healthy balance between his professional and personal lifestyle which many find elusive.

That’s another of his successes.

“Actually I just want to keep going around as long as Jimmy (Byrne) does,” said Browne as Byrne approached us.

“I heard my name,” said Byrne.

“I said I’m in the twilight of my career. I just trying to outstay you,” said Browne.

“And I’m just trying to stay on long enough to make as much money as you do,” answered Byrne.

Light-hearted banter in a serious business. A good ending to a revealing conversation.

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