Corey Brown's cheeky smile and affable nature hide a world of hurt that has beset the jockey throughout his career.

Regarded as one of Australia's best riders, Brown has bounced back from adversity on more than one occasion to reach a career high with his Melbourne Cup win on Shocking.

As a 16-year-old apprentice in 1993, Brown was involved in a fall at Rosehill in which popular jockey Ken Russell suffered fatal injuries.

He was cleared of any wrongdoing but was shattered by the incident.

He moved on to forge a place in the Sydney riding ranks, winning the 2001-02 premiership and on a golden afternoon in October 2003, he won three Group One races at Randwick.

After moving to Hong Kong and riding with success, he found himself outed after testing positive to a recreational drug.

He served his time and struck up a winning partnership with Lee Freedman before being dumped without explanation.

Brown moved back to Sydney where he finished second last season to Hugh Bowman.

Just three days ago he won the Victoria Derby on Monaco Consul and Tuesday's Cup victory was surreal after his close second to Viewed a year ago.

"It's unbelievable, I've won the Melbourne Cup," Brown said.

"I started riding when I was 15 and I can't explain the feeling I have now.

"I've had hiccups in my career and four years ago after what happened in Hong Kong, many said I was finished.

"I've proved them all wrong."

Brown admitted it had been hard to have to watch continual footage of last year's Cup when he and Bauer were beaten in the closest photo finish on record.

"I got sick of having to watch it all year," he said.

"But that's all forgotten now.

"I've won the Melbourne Cup."