Ethan Brown chases first G1 in 2025 CF Orr Stakes

Ethan Brown has enjoyed a rich run of success throughout the Spring Carnival, yet a Group 1 win still remains the one missing piece — a situation he hopes to fix at Caulfield on Saturday.

The nine-time Group 1 jockey will ride star sprinter Jimmysstar in the $1 million CF Orr Stakes, a horse who has defined much of Brown’s travel-heavy spring.

The Everest placegetter and winner of the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes returns to Victoria for the first time in months, a move that brings Brown back home after spending nearly all of his Saturdays in Sydney since September.

“It’s been a good spring, the bigger wins were definitely in Sydney but you just go where the good horses are and the opportunity is,” Brown said.

“I’ve had a lot of good backing this spring through Ciaron Maher and Ozzie and Johnny and plenty of other owners and I’ve made the most of that.”

His biggest win this season came aboard Jimmysstar, while his Group 2 victory on Tempted and second placing in the Golden Rose added further depth to his carnival.

Brown has been the master of major placings this year, becoming the only jockey to figure in the top three in all three of Australia’s richest races.

He finished third in the $20m The Everest, third in the $10m Melbourne Cup, and second in the $10m Golden Eagle.

With $10,345,510 in earnings for the season, Brown trails only James McDonald and Mark Zahra nationwide.

He also shot to the top of the Victorian Premiership after a four-win day at Seymour.

Jimmysstar, responsible for almost $4m of those earnings, has evolved into a genuine heavyweight of the WFA sprinting ranks.

Following Group 1 autumn triumphs in the Oakleigh Plate and All Aged Stakes, Brown believes the gelding is better than ever.

“He’s cemented himself as a proper weight-for-age horse I think and that’s been evident in his form,” he said.

“He had to take that step, but he’s certainly done that.”

Brown partnered Jimmysstar in a key piece of work earlier this week and said he feels spot-on ahead of the Orr Stakes.

“I jumped on him Monday, he worked really well, he’s drawn a nice gate (three) and there’s no reason why he’s not going to show up again,” Brown said.

“He’s had a big prep but there’s still a horse there and still the best of him I believe. He’s flying.”

Brown also rides Kaleo in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas and Rohesia in the $1 million Thoroughbred Club Stakes.

Compare betting odds for the CF Orr Stakes at the JHR bookmakers hub.