Background
Beasley was born in London in to an Irish racing family. His father, Harry, also known as "HH" Beasley,was an outstanding flat jockey and rode the winner of two Irish Derbys.
Beasley was born in London in to an Irish racing family. 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. His great-uncle, Tommy, was twice Irish Champion (Empress 1880, Woodbrook 1881 and Frigate 1889).In addition, he beat the legendary English flat jockey Fred Archer in the Irish Derby. He was reared in Ireland.
In 1960 he captured the Champion Hurdle on Another Flash.
In 1961 he was victorious in the Grand National with Nicolaus Silver at odds of 28/1. In 1963 he was victorious in the Mackeson Gold Cup on Richard of Bordeaux.
Roddy Owen
Beasley rode Roddy Owen in the 1959. He was trained by Danny Morgan and owned by Lord Fingall.
Roddy Owen was joint second favourite at odds of 5/1.
Coming to the final fence Pas Seul was in the lead with Linwell and Lochroe in hot pursuit. Roddy Owen was in fourth just behind the leaders. Despite an otherwise flawless jumping performance Pas Seul fell at the last coming down in Linwell"s As a result came to a standstill which hampered Lochroe.
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.
In February 1971, aged 35, he resumed his career riding Norwegian Flag to victory at Leopardstown. He captured the Irish Sweeps Hurdle on
Beasley was aged 38—and had been sober for five years—when trainer Pat Taaffe, gave him the ride on at Cheltenham.
During his brief career, had fallen on a number of occasions, and was a novice when he ran in the Gold Cup.
The Times described his victory as "the greatest comeback since Lazarus"
He also managed a public and worked in a vineyard.