Ethan Brown reconsidered riding after his brush with death. Now he’s a Melbourne Cup champion

A heart-to-heart over a couple of beers with trainer Ciaron Maher about two years ago sowed the seeds for 27-year-old jockey Ethan Brown’s Melbourne Cup win on Point Of Law. After nearly losing his life in a massive fall off Maximillius in the 2023 Australian Guineas, and a stop-start return to riding, Brown wondered whether he should continue in the toughest of capers. The injuries were significant, and that was before the emotional toll was considered.