Three years after a horrifying crash in the Australian Guineas that almost killed him, Ethan Brown basked in glory at Flemington, steering Observer to the Group 1 title.

In the 2024 edition, Brown on Maximillius hit the deck in Flemington’s straight during the Australian Guineas, sustaining liver lacerations and kidney damage.

Brown faced an extended fightback, electing additional rest post-initial comeback to restore his condition fully.

Positioned among Melbourne’s elite jockeys, Brown is central to Ciaron Maher’s yard, preparers of Observer who landed Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington.

National Assistant Trainer Jack Turnbull for Maher shared his tight bond with Brown.

“I see him sometimes more than my fiancee Tian during the week,” Turnbull said.

“He’s a big part of our team. He’s there two or three mornings a week, trials, gallops and he’s one of the blokes you can ring up at any time and have a chat about the horses.

“He’s a special horse but he’s got a special rider and it’s special we got the job done today.”

Dismissed at $1.85, Observer held off Planet Red ($7) by half a length, with Sixties ($3.20) a mere short-head adrift in third.

Observer stepped into history Saturday, replicating Mahogany by securing the Victoria Derby in spring then the autumn C S Hayes Stakes and Australian Guineas.

Maher’s Hitotsu duplicated the pattern post-2021 Derby with a 2022 Guineas win on resumption.

Turnbull highlighted the win’s value for Observer, assuring stallion status and versatile paths forward for the colt.

“You’ve got the Australian Cup, Rosehill Guineas, Doncaster Mile, if you waited a little bit longer, but winning this race really allows us to pivot and target races against the older horses if Godolphin desires,” Turnbull said.

“He’s probably the closest thing we’ve likened to Hitotsu in terms of his racing style.

“He’s probably not as dynamic, but his ability to be winning a Derby and coming back to be a Group 1 mile Guineas winner at his next preparation is hard to do.

“We’re in a lovely position and we can savour the moment and really enjoy the win.”

The ride delivered Brown’s 11th Group 1, though he noted the fence position on the favourite sparked concerns.

“I’m sure the punters were thinking ‘what’s going on here’,” Brown said.

“The main thing with him is getting him to relax and settle. That meant having to go down to the fence and riding a cool, patient race on him.

“From there on in, the track is fair, we stuck to the fence and he did the rest.

“He’s a superstar.”

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