Champion jockey Darren Beadman has been officially announced as John O’Shea’s assistant trainer at the powerful Darley operation.
Beadman, who retired from race riding following a fall in Hong Kong in February 2012, has spent several months working with O’Shea, learning the ropes of the training caper.
“Darren is widely recognised as one of the great jockeys in recent times, has considerable experience of the Crown Lodge system through his time with John Hawkes and should prove invaluable in assisting both John and our jockeys in the coming months” said Darley Australia boss Henry Plumptre.
The dual Melbourne Cup winning jockey said while he had been enjoying his time out of the saddle, it was only a matter of time that he was back working in the game he loves.
“I’m loving it, it is great, really good, getting out and getting amongst it seeing another side of racing again,” Beadman said.
“I didn’t take long to jog my memory to say, this is what it used to be like getting out of bed so early but mind you, I’ve had two years of sleeping in, I reckon I was ready to do something now.
“I wanted to try and do something in the game one way or another, when I was offered this position they didn’t have to ask twice, it is a great opportunity for myself.”
Beadman spent many years as the stable jockey at Crown Lodge under the guidance of John Hawkes and he is delighted to be back working with the team at Warwick Farm.
“You go through the catalogue of all the horses in the stable, all those horses that I rode, just seeing their progeny and younger family members coming through it is like I’ve done the full circle,” he said.
John O’Shea used Beadman as much as he could as a rider and was very keen to have him on board when he joined Darley.
“He has got a great racing brain, you don’t realise how smart he is until you spend some time with him, he has got a lot to offer for the organisation,” O’Shea said.
“One of the things when I was training and Darren was doing a little bit of riding for me, he helped you train them in terms of how horses were prepared.
“He is very enthusiastic, he brings with him a great brand and we are very lucky to have him.”
Beadman’s appointment as assistant trainer won’t take anything away from Brad Widdup, assistant trainer to Peter Snowden during his time at Crown Lodge.
“Darren has got a different type of role, Brad runs the yard, he does that better than I have ever seen,” O’Shea said.
“This role will allow Brad to concentrate on the horses and the operation of the yard.
“Darren’s role is across a lot of things, he flew to Brisbane and watched them gallop (Tuesday) morning, he goes to the trials for me, he attends trackwork, he is having meetings with jockeys and discussing tactics.
“When we are sitting down analysing the performance of horses and how they were ridden, when Darren makes an assessment there isn’t anyone arguing, that is the end of the story. He knows better than anyone.
“When I make a comment on a ride or some of the others make a comment, sometimes there is debate but when Darren makes a comment there is no debate.
“It is great to have his perspective, I’m very lucky to have him and lucky that Darley are in a position to be able to offer him such a position.
– Racing Network
