Darren Beadman
| Darren Beadman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 17 November 1965 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Jockey |
| Religion | Christian |
Darren Beadman (born 17 November 1965) is an Australian champion jockey. In 2007 at age 41 he was the youngest jockey ever to be inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, being the first to do so while still active.
Early career
Beadman first gained notice while winning the Sydney apprentice jockeys' title in his first season of 1982-83, managing to finish second in 1983-84 and winning again in 1984-85. Beadman piloted Inspired to the winning post in 1984 in taking Australia's premier two-year-old event, the Golden Slipper Stakes, for his first group 1 win. He duplicated that feat on Guineas in 1997. While still a teenager he rode in France for John Fellows winning the 1985 Prix Morny on Regal State.
Australia
Beadman is a seven-time Sydney jockey premiership winner and has won most of Australia's biggest races. He holds the record for the most amount of wins in the metropolitan area with 164. He recorded that feat in the 2007/2008 season. Such wins include Melbourne Cup wins for trainer Bart Cummings on Kingston Rule (1990) and Saintly (1996) and Golden Slipper victories aboard Inspired (1984) and Guineas in 1997. He also won the Cox Plate on Saintly in 1996. Furthermore, he rode Super Impose to the Doncaster Handicap/Epsom Handicap double in 1991. He also rode Octagonal and Lonhro to a number of Group 1 wins including the Australian Cup and the AJC Derby on Octagonal.
In 2008, Beadman was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame. The only Jockey to be inducted whilst still competing.
He won the triple crown on Octagonal in Sydney's three-year-old autumn triple crown - the Canterbury and Rosehill Guineas and the Australian Derby
Currently Darren working as co-trainer for John O'shea at Darley racing own by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Retirement and return
In 1997, Beadman, then aged 31, retired from racing and studied to become a pastor. In 2000 he came out of retirement.
Hong Kong
Beadman moved to Hong Kong in 2007 to become the stable jockey for John Moore in Hong Kong and helped the trainer to his first premiership in almost 20 years. Beadman has ridden more than 250 winners in Hong Kong including Hong Kong International Bowl twice, the CXHK Sprint, and the MBHK Derby.[1] In February 2012 Beadman suffered a serious head injury at Sha Tin Racecourse. Beadman fell when a horse broke both of its legs underneath him in a barrier trial. Beadman suffered a diffuse axonal brain injury and a broken cheekbone from the fall. He underwent rehabilitation for his injury in both Hong Kong and Sydney.
Major Wins
- 1984 and 1997 - Won the Golden Slipper on Inspired and Guineas
- 1990 and 1996 - Won the Melbourne Cup on Kingston Rule and Saintly
- 1996 - Won the Cox Plate on Saintly
- 1996 - Won the AJC Derby on Octagonal
- 1996 and 1997 - Won the Hong Kong International Bowl on Monopolize and Catalan Opening
- 2002 - Mackinnon Stakes on Lonhro
- 2004 - Australian Cup on Lonhro
Performance
| Seasons |
Total Rides |
No. of Wins |
No. of 2nds |
No. of 3rds |
No. of 4ths |
Stakes won |
| 2010/2011 | 370 | 57 | 37 | 43 | 40 | HK$62,425,800 |