Slipping off Calapaez after the 1988 Triumph Hurdle (Cheltenham Thursday March 17) Colin declared: 'That's my lot. I made my mind up a couple of months ago to retire, and there can't be a better place to go out.'
Born on August 16, 1955, Colin Edward Norman Brown had spent the previous 15 years as a National Hunt jockey, clocking up 292 wins.
The first had come at Newton Abbot on September 15, 1973 - not September 14, as listed in the Directory Of The Turf. Riding Soixante Neuf (9/2), he held off Mighty Element and Flying Tudor in a good finish for the Paracombe Selling Hurdle.
He had begun as a young apprentice to Paul Cole. He would become known as a big race rider.
Colin's wins included the 1985 Imperial Cup on Floyd, County Hurdle, Massey Ferguson, 1985 Peter Marsh Chase on Combs Ditch, Kingwell Pattern Hurdle (twice), Oteley Hurdle, Killeney Novice Chase, Sun Alliance and the Lambert & Butler Final. He also won the 1987 Fighting Fifth Hurdle on Floyd, 1988 Anthony Mildmay Peter Cazelet Memorial Chase on Rhyme 'n' Reason
Colin will forever be associated with Desert Orchard, which he rode in 40 races, winning 17. However, for the 1986 King George, Colin opted to ride another horse. Simon Sherwood came in for the ride. Desert Orchid won at 16/1 and Simon kept the mount. Together they won another eight races.
Colin had seven rides in the Grand National: 1981 Lord Gulliver (fell 13th), 1982 Artistic Prince (fell 1st), 1983 Artistic Prince (refused 19th), 1984 Canford Ginger (23rd & last), 1985 Never Tamper (pulled up 17th), 1986 Little Polvier (9th), 1987 Little Polvier (unseated rider 15th). He rode twice in the Topham Trophy without finishing.
Retired, he became assistant to the clerk of the course at Doncaster, and, in September, 1989, became embroiled in the aftermath of the pile-up in that years' Portland Handicap. Various parties were upset that William Fox, the racecourse vet, had advised that Madraco, one of the horses involved, should be put down. Colin refuted this saying; 'The vet is most upset because he didn't suggest that, and in fact made arrangements for transportation to the Equine Research Station.' Happily, in time, Madraco recovered.
Colin became the Landlord of the Ibex Inn at Chaddleworth, Berkshire, before running 'Colin Brown Hospitality' where he is involved as Guest Speaker.
When he gets time to relax, he likes to spend it gardening.
His biggest wins included:
1981: Sun Alliance Chase - Leslie Ann
1983: Lambert & Butler - Combs Ditch
1984: Racing Post Chase - Tom's Little Owl
1985: Imperial Cup - Floyd
1985: Still Fork Trucks Gold Cup - Combs Ditch
1985: Tripleprint Gold Cup - Combs Ditch
1985: Peter Marsh Chase - Combs Ditch
1985: County Handicap Hurdle - Floyd
1987: Ladbroke Hurdle - Barnbrook Again
1987: Racing Post Chase - Combs Ditch
1987: Fighting Fifth Hurdle - Floyd
1987: Gainsborough Chase - Desert Orchid
1988: Anthony Mildmay & Peter Cazalet Memorial - Rhyme N' Reason
