Guarantee the latest crop of boom apprentices opposing the prolific Group-winning veteran in Saturday’s TAB Highway at Royal Randwick, and even some seniors, won’t recognise him.
The claimers weren’t born near three decades ago when Danny Beasley now 47, and returned after 15 years in Singapore, won dual Queen Elizabeth Stakes, a Golden Slipper, Doncaster and Newmarket.
Jockey Danny Beasley – returns to Royal Randwick for the first time since 2015
A racing legacy of 24 Group winners here and in Singapore, Danny hasn’t ridden at the scene of his greatest achievements since 2015.
“I rode against some of their dads and trackside for those Group races and in the jockeys’ room after so long is going to be special,” Danny enthused.
Beasley will ride Shalook ($26 on TAB) in the $120,000 TAB Highway (1200m) and Mitch Beer’s Albury stablemate Mnementh in the last race ($18).
“I always kept a close watch on Australian racing from Singapore. I last rode at Randwick in 2015 for six months on a working holiday.
“Looking forward to seeing how the jockeys faces and training scene has changed.
“The industry moves so fast. Some older jockeys might remember me, no way the apprentices.”
Danny married and the father of three young children has returned to Wagga Wagga where it all began.
In another time Danny would have been a leading contender in enthralling Group One races on Saturday, but he’s happy to be a spectator after he rides Shalook in the Highway.
“I married a Singapore girl, for our kids getting them settled in school back home is the priority.
“We used to come home to Wagga a couple of times a year and Christmas. But Covid put a stop to that, took so much away from me.
“For a while I fell out of love with racing. I stopped race riding, became an assistant trainer and work rider, just to stay involved.
“We were always coming back to Australia and finally just so happy to be home after some really stressful times.”
Danny was a brilliant Riverina apprentice quickly recognised and indentured at Royal Randwick to the great Neville Begg.
He rapidly rose to the pinnacle winning six Group One races on the Gai Waterhouse-trained Grand Armee, including dual Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Danny, who left Australia at the top of his profession, incredibly has ridden near 1800 winners including 24 at Group level here and Singapore.
A racing planet away on Saturday is Class 3 Highway sprinter Shalook and eight-race winner Mnementh.
“Yep but I’m just happy for the opportunity to be back riding on a big Group Day at Randwick. That crowd and atmosphere.”
Shalook is among numerous winners Danny has ridden since his return in January: “I rode Shalook when she won at Wagga and placed Albury; back in grade from the Canberra Guineas to a class three.
“Nice progressive filly with a turn or foot. Up against older horses is always a task for fillies but inside gate and light weight, has to be a chance.”
– Racing NSW
