Dynamic jockey Darren Beadman has officially announced his retirement this weekend following an illustrious career and will be widely regarded as “one of the best ever!” Beadman was forced into an early retirement after suffering serious injuries in a Hong Kong barrier trial fall in February. The champion jockey damaged neurons and nerves when suffering a diffuse-axonal brain injury, which affects balance, speech and memory.
Tributes have flowed in over the weekend for the Hall of Fame jockey who was held in the highest esteem by jockeys, trainers and racing personalities alike. Jim Cassidy and Damien Oliver who sit alongside Darren as Hall of Fame inductees both described Beadman as "a fierce competitor" that was an "all round and complete rider".
Darren Beadman has unfortunately announced his retirement from racing
"It's very unfortunate the way he's had to go out," Cassidy said. "Dazza was always a fierce competitor. A great horseman and a wonderful judge of pace."
Oliver said, "It would be hard not to admire what he achieved during his career…. He's ridden at the top for a long time…. He certainly holds a special place in Australian racing. I've always admired him as a jockey and a person."
From 2000 until 2008, Beadman and fellow Australian racing Hall of Fame inductee John Hawkes formed a lethal combination in Sydney which reaped five consecutive Sydney jockey premierships. Overall Darren finished with a total of seven Sydney jockey premierships, 94 Gr1 victories and thousands of winners in his highly successful career.
Beadman rode many winners for Dynamic Syndications during his career however one victory in particular does hold a special place in the hearts of both Darren and Team Dynamic. Beadman piloted Dynamic Syndications galloper Grand Cause to an easy 5 length victory in the Harris Farm Welter on Saturday 7 July 2007. It was another masterful ride by Beadman wearing the Dynamic silks and further proved just why he is regarded as one of the best of all time.
It was particularly memorable as it was the ride where Beadman broke his own Australian Racing Record for wins in a season. At the time it was his 153rd win and he went on to finish the 2006/07 season with 168 victories, a record which still stands today.
Dynamic's Grand Cause helped Beadman break his own Australian Racing Record for wins in a season
In 1997, Beadman shocked the racing world announcing his retirement to become a Preacher before returning to the saddle in 2000. Some will argue that he came back an even better rider but to us here at Dynamic, he has always been a champion and we will continue to hold him in the highest regard.
Beadman ended his career with a four season stint in Hong Kong where he continued to ride brilliantly saluting aboard 275 winners including six at Group 1 level. In true Darren Beadman style, the champion rider went out a winner piloting the John Moore-trained Military Attack to a 1-3/4 length victory in February to end his illustrious career.
Although the slurred speech is gone, the balance is improving and the quick wit is back, Beadman concedes he still has a long way to go down the recovery trail.
"Those problems have been minimised but are still there at times, I'd rate myself a seven or eight out of 10 now,” Beadman explained to renowned racing journalist Ray Thomas.
The one thing that Beadman wants is to continue to work in the racing industry but at this stage he is unsure in what capacity.
"I’d like to give something back to racing one way or another, whether that is as a steward, working in bloodstock, I just don't know yet. At this present point of time, I'm just concerned about getting better,” he said.
"When you have a brain injury, it's not like a broken leg or arm, you can't predict the healing process. I'm just taking things slowly and doing what I have to do to get better.
We want to send our best wishes to a man who we will always remember as a champion jockey and an even better bloke. It is an extremely sad way for him to end what has been a fantastic career and he has the full support of Dynamic Syndications as he battles to recover from what is a horrific injury. We have no doubt in our minds that the strength, determination and positive attitude that Darren has showed throughout his career will hold him in good stead to get back to full fitness.
We wish Darren all the best with his recovery
Thanks for the memories Darren and you will always be viewed as an inspirational and champion jockey both on and off the track.
Jay Mathieson