Bobby Beasley
Bobby Beasley | |
---|---|
Full name | Henry Robert Beasley |
Occupation | Jockey |
Born | London UK | 26 August 1935
Died | 9 January 2008 | (aged 72)
Significant horses | |
Roddy Owen, Nicolaus Silver, Captain Christy |
Bobby Beasley (26 August 1935 – 9 January 2008) was an Irish jockey and horse trainer.
Background
Beasley was born in London in to an Irish racing family.[1] His father, Harry, also known as "HH" Beasley, was an outstanding flat jockey and rode the winner of two Irish Derbys. Beasley's grandfather, also named Harry, trained and rode Come Away to victory in the 1891 Grand National.[2] His great-uncle, Tommy, was twice Irish Champion Jockey and won the Grand National at Aintree on three occasions (Empress 1880, Woodbrook 1881 and Frigate 1889).
Jockey
He was reared in Ireland. His first winner was as an amateur came at Leopardstown when he was sixteen years of age. Three years later he enjoyed his first winner as a professional at Naas.[1] In 1960 he captured the Champion Hurdle on Another Flash.[2]
In 1961 he was victorious in the Grand National with Nicolaus Silver at odds of
In 1963 he was victorious in the
Roddy Owen
Beasley rode Roddy Owen in the 1959 Cheltenham Gold Cup. He was trained by Danny Morgan and owned by Lord Fingall. The horse was named after amateur rider Roddy Owen who won the 1892 Grand National aboard Father O'Flynn. Roddy Owen was joint second favourite at odds of 5/1. The outright favourite was Taxidermist, the winner of the 1958
Alcoholism
However Beasley struggled with his drink problem. As a result, he was let go as stable jockey to Fred Winter who was one of the most successful trainers of the day. He retired as a jockey in 1969. His recovery began when his friend Nicky Rackard convinced him to join Alcoholics Anonymous.[5]
Comeback
In February 1971, aged 35, he resumed his career riding Norwegian Flag to victory at Leopardstown.[5]
Captain Christy
Christy gave me back my self-respect. He made a huge difference to my life and was a hell of a horse. I sometimes think of the mistake he made at the last fence. Imagine if he'd fallen. How would I have been able to live with that? I'd have been haunted for the rest of my days.[1]
Bobby Beasley
He captured the
Retirement
Beasley retired for a second time and began training in England with his second wife, Linda, at Lewes and Marlborough. He also managed a pub and worked in a vineyard.[5]
Personal life
In 1960 Beasley married Shirley Thompson, a daughter of jockey
References
- ^ a b c d e "Bobby Beasley Jockey battled alcoholism to make a dramatic comeback in the Gold Cup". Irish Independent. 20 January 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
- ^ a b "LEADING JUMP JOCKEYS DOWN THE YEARS". Irish Racing Greats. Archived from the original on 2 August 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ "Nicolaus Silver". grand-national.me.uk. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
- ^ a b St John Williams, Guy (2011). Cheltenham Festival Centenary 1911–2011. Monasterevan Co.Kildare: Daletta Press.
- ^ a b c d "Bobby Beasley: Quixotic jockey and trainer". The Independent. 16 January 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2013.