Queensland racing icon Chief De Beers passes away
Chief De Beers, the horse who won 20 races at Doomben and went on to be a Police horse and later a popular attraction at Melbourne’s Living Legends, has died aged 28.
Racing
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Doomben idol Chief De Beers will be laid to rest alongside some of Australia’s greatest horses of the past 30 years after being euthanized at the age of 28 on Friday.
‘The Chief’ saw out his days at Melbourne’s Living Legends after a race career that was highlighted by 20 wins, famously all of them at Doomben.
They included a victory under 64.5kg when ridden by Ken Waller and another under 63.5kg when Chris Maund’s claim offset his original handicap of 66.5kg.
Alan Russell was the first jockey to win on ‘the Chief, strolling home by eight lengths in March 1994. Russell went on to win eight races on Chief De Beers.
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“At that time I had never ridden a horse with a turn of foot like that,” Russell recalled.
“He was a brilliant barrier horse, then you could switch him off and he had a devastating turn of foot at the end.
“When he was at his best he was nearly unbeatable at Doomben.
“He was like a kids pony as a young horse, always had this beautiful nature. After he retired, I remember riding him as a police horse, doing a promotional thing at the Casino and he was still a lovely relaxed old fellow.”
His feats after racing in the Police Force and at Living Legends saw him recently selected for a Blue Cross Medal by the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation, in conjunction with the Blue Cross Fund.
“It’s wonderful that Chief De Beers has received such deserved recognition as the recipient of the 2020 Blue Cross Australia/New Zealand Award,” Living Legends CEO Dr Andrew Clarke said.
“In addition to his extraordinary contribution as a police horse, life after racing saw ‘Chief’ become a very popular racing ambassador with fans of all ages from primary school students to residents at seniors’ homes. He encapsulated what Living Legends is all about and it is a very fitting honour.”
Clarke said Chief De Beers had long been one of Living Legends’ most popular horses, particularly for those visitors from Queensland.
“They get off the plane across the road, come to freezing cold Melbourne, they’ve got the shorts and thongs on. We can always pick the Queenslanders. They just love the little horse,” Clarke said late last year.
Chief De Beers was trained by Bill Calder, who died in August 2015, aged 95.
Clarke extended condolences to the Chief’s owners, the Greenup and Chapman families, as well as his long-time companion, Queensland Police Officer Belinda Worthington.
The Chief’s passing followed a long illness that was first treated five years ago and had recently required ongoing treatment before he was euthanised on Friday.
He will be cremated and laid to rest in the Living Legends Memorial Garden alongside past champions including Might And Power, Better Loosen up and Doriemus.
Originally published as Queensland racing icon Chief De Beers passes away