Former champion jockey and newly appointed head trainer for Godolphin’s Australian operation Darren Beadman will get a great chance to saddle up an early Group 1 winner with It’s Somewhat in the Group 1 $650,000 Hardy Brothers Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben on May 20.
Doncaster Mile winner It’s Somewhat, above, is the early favourite for the Doomben Cup at Doomben. Photo by Steve Hart.
Beadman has officially taken over as interim head trainer for the giant thoroughbred operation following the resignation of John O’Shea who has been at the helm for the last three years.
It’s Somewhat carried the Godolphin royal blue colours to victory with Tye Angland in the saddle in the Group 2 $358,000 Attwood Marshall A.D. Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast last Saturday with O’Shea listed as the trainer for the final time and the Doncaster Mile winner has cemented his spot at the top of the market order for the Doomben Cup at $4 with Ladbrokes.com.au.
O’Shea’s tender at Godolphin ended on Saturday and he will have a break from racing before deciding where his future takes him.
“I want to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed for the wonderful opportunity that has been afforded me over these past three years. I have enjoyed immensely training the Godolphin horses,” O’Shea told racing.com.
“Godolphin is an amazing organisation with tremendous staff and I wish them well in the future.
“I will take a break before deciding the specific future direction I take with training.”
Godolphin’s Australian boss Henry Plumptre praised O‘Shea for his hard work and highlighted his performance of preparing ten Group 1 winners in his three year training stint for Godolphin.
“John has overseen significant change and on track success at our racing organisation over the past three years and we thank him for the hard work and dedication he brought to the role,” Plumptre said.
“John has trained 10 G1 winners for Godolphin during his three years, headlined by back-to-back G1 Golden Rose victories in 2015 with Exosphere and 2016 with Astern.
“We wish John all the best in the future.”
Beadman has been in the assistant trainer’s roll under O’Shea and is now excited to step up to be in charge of such a huge organisation.
“I haven’t had time to absorb what’s happened this week but I’m a bit excited about the next stint,” Beadman said.
“John has been a great friend of mine and he’s taught me a lot over the past couple of years.”
Beadman said that It’s Somewhat had won a 1200m Warwick Farm barrier on April 21 following his all the way win in the Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 1 and that the English import will improve further heading into the Doomben Cup.
“The horse had a trial after he won the Doncaster and he’ll have improved a lot after this run,” Beadman said.
Early market order for the Doomben Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4 It’s Somewhat, $6 Articus, $7 Sense Of Occasion, Single Gaze, $9 Star Exhibit, $11 Amelie’s Dream, McCreery, $13 Maurus, Ventura Storm, $15 Mime, Preferment, Vanbrugh, Cylinder Beach, Happy Hannah, Sons Of John, Top Of My List, $21 Life Is Ordinary, $26 or better the rest.
