Multiple Group One-winning jockey Damian Browne has announced his retirement.
Caloundra-based Browne, 46, has not ridden since January after first having problems with a perforated bowel as a result of taking anti-inflammatory drugs for problems with his knees.
The diagnosis meant Browne could no longer take the medication and has been left with major knee problems.
Browne told Brisbane’s RadioTAB he had been told the knee problems meant he would not be able to ride in races again.
“I was thinking about delaying the announcement a few weeks but I thought it was time to make a public announcement,” Browne said.
“The industry here has been very good to me in the past 15 years since I came from New Zealand.”
Browne has ridden winners in all five mainland states but he is regarded as the king of the Sunshine Coast where he lives and has won eight premierships.
He has been appointed the TAB ambassador for the winter carnival and hopes to find a position in the media.
Browne has ridden about 1500 winners, 15 at Group One level, seven of those on the Robert Heathcote-trained Queensland champion Buffering including the 2016 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai.
Damian Browne Record
Group One: 15
Group Two: 5
Group Three: 21
Listed: 43
Total: 84
Best wins:
Al Quoz Stakes – Buffering
Moir Stakes – Buffering (twice)
Winterbottom Stakes – Buffering (twice)
VRC Classic – Buffering
Manikato Stakes – Buffering
Blue Diamond – Earthquake
Blue Diamond – Pride of Dubai
Queensland Oaks – Quintessential
Kingsford Smith Cup – Impending
South Australian Derby – Cheviot
Trentham Action Auto Stakes – No Mean City
Karaka Millions – Hard Line
NZ St Leger – Guns At Five
