Episode 278: Danny Beasley

Danny’s family and friends were surprised in 2017 when the popular jockey quit the saddle with 2000 wins under his belt. They were even more surprised recently when he announced a comeback. He talks of his reasons for returning to the saddle, and reviews his first day back at Kranji on Saturday. He explains that he’s been riding trackwork and in barrier trials during his four year hiatus, enabling him to keep his weight in check. Dan talks about some of the great riding talent he’ll be facing every week at Kranji. The 18 time Gr 1 winner recalls his very first win at Corowa in 1993 and looks back on apprenticeships with Peter Maher at Wodonga and Lee Freedman at Flemington. He acknowledges the support of Freedman’s neighbour David Hayes. Dan has never forgotten the day he was contacted by Graeme Begg who offered him two rides at Rosehill. Both horses won, and Danny finished up completing his apprenticeship with the Randwick trainer. The jockey talks about his experiment with the European riding style, and the thrill of winning his first Gr 1. Dan pays tribute to his all time favourite horse, the remarkable Grand Armee. He won 6 Gr 1’s on the versatile galloper. He reviews a sequence of major wins in Australia and Singapore. Danny’s wife Ash is of Malaysian origin, and the couple are the proud parents of a son and two daughters. He has a 17 year old son from his first marriage to Karen, and Baxter will be watching his comeback performances closely. The 45 year old talks of his passion for harness racing. It’s the thing he’s missed most of all since going to Singapore.