Despite his tender years, Cliff Brown is highly regarded and has already left his mark on the Australian racing industry, especially in staying events.

Cliff has had a number of Melbourne Cup runners, including a gallant third with Markham in 1997. He has won 3 of the last six Group 1 SA Derbies, won the 2002 Group 1 Adelaide Cup and has collected one of Sydney’s classic events, the Rosehill Guineas; in 1998 he also won the Sandown Cup with Cheviot.

While in racing every horse needs a portion of luck in running, Cliff Brown’s results have basically come from hard work and his ability to have his horses relaxed and fresh on race day.

Cliff learned part of his craft in Europe where he worked in Newmarket, as travelling foreman for Chris Wall. “Over there they put the miles into the horses going around the countryside and I have followed suit. It is different to many here, but something I believe in and it has worked for me.“

“One of the areas I work on is to utilise the surroundings to provide horses with an edge. At the farm that involves lots of hill work and walks on slow days but in town I use the pool or water treadmill a lot to introduce variety,” says Cliff.

With a total of 30 horses in work at his family’s country property and at Flemington in Melbourne, Cliff has become a popular choice for owners who covet the nation’s classic races.

Article adapted from feature ‘Valley of Dreams’ by Peter Helme, Australian Country Experience Spring 2000