The champion jockey was back home yesterday as special guest at the launch of the Manning Valley Race Club at the Bushland Drive Race track, where he started his career 27 years ago.

“I’ve placed in the Golden Slipper and the Cox Plate before. So I’d like to put the others in the mantle piece – but just to get back to riding winners consistently and getting my strike rate up – that’s my main aim at this stage,’’ he said.

However, Brown has a race he’s determined to win a little closer to his home town. Manning Valley Race Club chairman Greg Coleman confirmed the Corey Brown Cup will be run every year on Wingham Cup day in June. 

“I’ll definitely come up to ride and I’d like to win it,’’ he said.

Brown admits that riding in a race named in his honour would be ‘surreal.’

Brown spoke to the Times back in January 2010 when he was at the Bushland Drive track for the naming of the Corey Brown Pavilion. This was after his win the previous year on Shocking in the Melbourne Cup. He said at the time the win was ‘life changing’ because of the opportunities it opened.

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It was a bit different this time about, he said

“The first time was more of a relief because I came a close second the year before on Bauer,’’ Brown explained.

“So to win it in 09 after going so close was a huge relief.

“This time it was a more surreal feeling – it was very different. I felt more satisfied because I my wife and kids were down there to enjoy it with me.

“After being away from Australian racing for four years and to only be back seven or eight months and to bring a Melbourne Cup home was pretty special.’’

Brown said that his wife and daughters had their outfits settled and a flight booked for cup day before he even had a ride.

“I contacted Joseph O’Brien and the first horse I chased I got a ride on … and the rest is history,’’ he smiled.’’

Brown headed to South Africa after his cup win to ride for Australia in a jockey challenge, which he described as ‘a good experience.’

“But nothing is like winning a Melbourne Cup,’’ he quickly added.

Brown said life is hectic at the moment.

“I’ve never been busier. If it’s not racing it's barrier trials. Obviously I’m not getting any younger but everything is going good.,’’ he said.

Not surprisingly, retirement isn’t even on the radar for Brown now.

“I’m loving the game more than ever so while ever I still have my health I’ll keep going,’’ he assured.