Beadman Blitzes Record

Thursday, 06 July 1111 00:00

The anticipation over the past fortnight has been steadily rising but finally at Randwick's Kensington track today champion jockey Darren Beadman bettered his own NSW jockeys premiership record for winning rides set only last year by riding his 144th winner for the season aboard the Clarry Conners trained mare Sky Blitz in the Randwick Betting Auditorium Handicap (1400m).

Beadman has been a completely dominating force this racing season, with his nearest rival Zac Purton languishing on 68 winners, and in a matter of weeks will officially claim his fourth consecutive jockeys' premiership and his sixth overall since his inaugural appearance on the honour roll in 1994-95.

"Naturally I tried to be leading jockey again this season but I never set out to break the record, just to get as many winners as I could," Australia's pre-eminent jockey said modestly.

"Kimmy [his wife Kim who is also his manager] and the girls were over near the 800m mark cheering so that made it even better," he beamed proudly.

Winning trainer Clarry Conners was predictably full of praise for Beadman's milestone and also pleased with Sky Blitz's effort.

"What can you say, he's [Beadman] simply the best," exclaimed Conners.

And as for the victorious daughter of Hurricane Sky, "she's not very big but she has been very consistent throughout her career and from barrier one with D Beadman on board she had a lot in her favour."

Sky Blitz was the recipient of a typically adroit ride by Beadman who had the four-year-old chestnut positioned three horses back enjoying a cosy trail before scooting along the fence and proving too strong for Strategic's Jewel by 1 ¼ lengths with Hennessy Beau a further short head away third.

Bred by Holbrook Thoroughbreds Sky Blitz is out of Breathless, by Vain's Brian Crowley Stakes winning son Whinavi and a half-sister to stakes winners Burglar Of Bamff and Yodelay from Yodelling Lady.

Yodelay, by Marscay, is a full-sister to the brilliant producer Yodells who is, of course, the dam of Iglesia (G2 Silver Slipper Stakes, G3 Standish Handicap), Tyrolean (SAJC Brock Partners Trophy) and the marvellous stayer Yippyio, winner of the G1 Queensland Derby and Brisbane Cup among others.

Pics - Sportpix