Josh Brown carrying on a proud Goldfields family legacy in racing

Posted by RS NewsWire at 7:48am on November 19th

Growing up in a family where early mornings and long days around horses was more a way of life than just a job, Josh Brown always seemed destined to follow his father and uncles’ footsteps into racing.

The Kalgoorlie-born local, who is now based at the Bay of Isles, has had a life-long passion for racing, which drives him each day as he prepares for this Saturday’s opening meeting at the Esperance Bay Turf Club (EBTC).

“Training is a job, but it’s also a passion,” Josh Brown explained.

“You’ve got to enjoy it, otherwise it’s not much fun getting out of bed at 4:30am every morning. We do it because we love it.”

Brown comes from a proud family of Goldfields horsemen, including his father Rod – widely known as “Freddo” – and uncles Rickie and the late Robert.

After more than a decade working in his father’s stable, Brown took the plunge into full-time training.

“I learnt my craft with Dad in Kalgoorlie,” Brown said.

“Then I moved to Esperance 10 years ago, where I started pre-training a few horses for him, and eventually, I transitioned into full-time training here.”

Leading into the upcoming EBTC season, which will be highlighted by the $100,000 Esperance Cup on March 2, Brown has a team of about 20 gallopers and is touting four-year-old mare Rebel Squaw as the one to watch.

“Rebel Squaw won her maiden as a three-year-old here last year and has matured up since then – she will be a nice one to follow,” he said.

“We’ve restricted our numbers down in terms of horses and we’re trying to aim more for quality and get a few more winners.

“We’re still looking for our Esperance Cup horse – to have a live chance in the race is our main goal for the season.”

Racing in the Goldfields-Esperance region accounts for $54.3 million out of the $1.3 billion the industry contributes to the State’s economy each year.

For Brown, training at the renowned holiday destination, “where the surf meets the turf”, provides the ideal work-life balance.

His stable is located at the racecourse, which he said allows him to better manage his full-time work commitments at the local TAFE while training his team of horses.

“In Esperance, the facilities and proximity are the biggest ace,” Brown said.

“You have the inside grass gallop track, you can ride or swim them at the beach – it’s a beautiful place to train from.

“We’ve always encouraged other trainers to come down to Esperance. Essentially, they’re opposition to us, but we always welcome visiting trainers on course.

“In this day and age in racing and in life as a whole, people can be too serious and competitive. You have to remember, it is an industry, but it is fun as well.”

More Racing News

Vein Girl impresses in rich Magic Millions The Debut win

Vein Girl has put herself in contention for next month’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a strong win on debut under lights at the Gold Coast’s first night meeting. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Vein Girl was sent out the $3.50 favourite with betting sites in Friday night’s $250,000...

Dec 21st

Pallaton races into 2025 Golden Slipper contention

Pallaton has stamped himself as a two-year-old colt to watch heading into 2025 with an impressive debut win at Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Pallaton raced to a 2-3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m) and firmed to be among the early favourites in Golden Slipper...

Dec 21st

Arriving Home set to target the Magic Millions Guineas 2025

Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to get lightly raced filly Arriving Home into the Magic Millions Guineas next month after the three-year-old remained unbeaten with a tough win at Randwick. Stepping up from a midweek city maiden win at Warwick Farm on debut earlier this month into Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1300m) – a...

Dec 21st

Goldman digs deep in the Pakenham Cup 2024

One time Melbourne Cup favourite, Goldman has notched up his fourth win in Australia, leading throughout to take the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) under Beau Mertens. Jumping an $8.50 chance, Goldman’s staying prowess was on show as he kicked back to deny Grand Pierro ($19) by a long head, with $3.30 betting site...

Dec 21st

The Kings horse Gilded Water wins at Randwick

Imported stayer Gilded Water has made it back-to-back victories in Australia and has given his owner, His Majesty King Charles III, a winner at Royal Randwick. The King’s racing manager John Warren was on track at Randwick on Saturday as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gilded Water raced to a convincing victory in the...

Dec 21st

Here To Shock gives Lindsay Park quinella in The Supernova

Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had the numbers two and three seed to knock off race-favourite Nadal in Saturday’s $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and did just that, with Here To Shock, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, edging stablemate Arkansaw Kid in a thrilling stable quinella. Here To Shock ($4.60) trailed a strong...

Dec 21st

Kevin Daffy happy to wait with Oh Too Good ahead of VOBIS Gold Bullion

Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good. A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday. Daffy was sounded...

Dec 20th

Bedggood chases rich The Supernova prize

Two rising nine-year-olds, both resuming, will give Gavin Bedggood a potential shot at his biggest payday as a trainer. A former jockey, Bedggood has been plying his trade as a trainer since 2017 and during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival prepared Mornington Glory to land his first Group 1 success. Just Folk and Windstorm, both...

Dec 20th

Collett hoping for Dream Brisbane raid in BJ McLachlan Stakes and Magic Millions Falvelon

A pair of promising two-year-olds from the Ciaron Maher stable have lured top Sydney hoop Jason Collett to Queensland for back-to-back meetings this weekend. Collett is heading north to partner filly Life After Love in the $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and her Maher-trained stablemate...

Dec 20th

Theodore aims to keep strike-rate going in Christmas Cup at Murray Bridge

Trainer Stephen Theodore is looking to Divine Fire keeping his impressive strike-rate going when she shoots for a winning hat-trick on Saturday. After victories at Morphettville and Gawler, Divine Fire runs in the Christmas Cup (1600m) at Murray Bridge with Jacob Opperman in the saddle. Since returning to training ranks at the start of...

Dec 20th