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THE NSW racing industry mourned yesterday when news filtered through that popular picnic rider Stuart Brown had died after a lengthy battle with illness.
Brown, 43, was based in Forbes and rode with distinction over many years on the amateur circuit.
At 187cm he was regarded as the tallest jockey in Australia, with his height not proving to be an obstacle as he forged a successful career at picnic meetings across the state
"Stuart was highly respected in the racing industry and his passing is a big loss," Racing NSW chief executive officer Peter V'Landys said.
"He travelled all around New South Wales to ply his trade and was quite successful on the picnic circuit. To lose Stuart at such a young age is heart-breaking and we extend our condolences to Stuart's family and his many friends."
Brown won several NSW Approved Rider Premierships and would compete anywhere from Mungindi in the north, Bourke in the west and Lockhart to the south.
He last rode at Grenfell in April this year where he scored on Had Your Chance in the Class B Handicap.
Central West chief steward Todd Smith said Brown had been a mainstay of the picnic circuit for a number of years and was well-respected.
"To be as tall as he was and still be able to ride was a big achievement," Smith said.
"Stuart was around for years. You see some riders at the picnics come and go but he was almost like a piece of the furniture when you'd be working at picnic meetings.
"He rode winners of camel races at the meetings they have at Forbes each years as well. It wasn't just the gallops that he could ride."
Brown was especially fond of Bedgerebong picnics, having been raised on a local farm and served on the race club's committee.
One of his biggest thrills was winning the Bedgerebong Picnic Cup, which he managed to do on three occasions.
Brown's brother David is a past president of Bedgerebong Picnic Race Club while another brother Michael also served on the committee.
Racecaller Colin Hodges said Brown was an inspiration to many of his peers.
"Stuart came up with a great idea - the winning picnic cup rider signs his or her jodhpurs then they get auctioned after the last race," Hodges said.
"Stuart first did it after winning the Bedgerebong Cup to raise money for one of the other jockey's wife who had MS.
"It's now become a tradition and they raise plenty of money for various worthwhile causes. Stuart was looked upon by the other riders as a father figure and his loss will be felt right around New South Wales."
Stuart Brown is survived by his wife Airene, daughter Danielle, son John, and parents John and Helen.