THE SUNSHINE COAST NEWSPAPER COLUMN: DAMIAN BROWNE CLOSES THE DOOR ON A PROUD CAREER

By Graham Potter | Sunday, May 5, 2019

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.

It did not come as any real surprise when the Sunshine Coast based champion jockey Damian Browne announced that he had ridden his last race.

Browne’s message earlier this week, confirming his retirement, was short and bitter-sweet. It read. ‘I have had my last race. My heart and soul wants to get back on the horse, but my body knows the ride is over.’

While Browne was not leaving on his own terms as he would ultimately have liked to do … it was an enforced retirement due to inter-related injury and health issues … he at least has the satisfaction of knowing that he made the most of his opportunities and that he and his family can celebrate a career of which anyone would be proud.

There are so many qualities to admire.

In terms of character, it was Browne’s persistence and determination to overcomes the odds when things were stacked against him that set the foundation for the career highlights that were to follow.

Long before his high profile, highly successful partnership with Buffering, which garnered national and international acclaim after the duo’s victory in the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai, it was easier for Browne to give up than go on after he suffered a run of serious injuries and multiple surgeries on his legs that would have stopped a lesser man in his tracks.

He fought through that … and then came the hard work on the track itself as he steadily rose to prominence on the back of the combination of the focussed mindset he applied and the outright effort he put in create a positive career future.

In terms of ability, it was his horsemanship that set him apart and put him in a club in which few riders gain entry.

A horseman and a jockey are not necessarily the same thing but Browne’s absolute understanding of the fact that, for maximum efficiency, horse and rider have to work together underscored everything he did in the saddle … which is why his mounts would invariably find an extra length or two when he called upon them, often much to the frustration of his rivals.

In terms of race riding style, they don’t come much better than D Browne. Because of relationship he had with his horse, Browne seldom had to call on the whip, instead he would be tucked in low over his mounts head, pushing it home with vigour and kindness all wrapped into one package.

Like I said, a true horseman.

And I could go on with other qualities to admire such as Browne’s professionalism etc … but, by now, you get the picture.

We can only hope that Damian Browne’s retirement does not mean he is lost to racing … a mentor to apprentices is an obvious port of call for racing officials to activate, if Browne wants it.

For now though, I can only pass on the following message knowing that I speak for many people when I say, ‘You will be missed out there Damian. We all wish you good health and everything of the best wherever your next step takes you.’

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