Beckham scores tough win at eagle farm

17 July 2016

The elegantly-bred Beckham overcame testing conditions at Eagle Farm yesterday to further his record. The WS-bred and raced son of Pins posted a gallant performance under leading jockey Jeff Lloyd for the sixth win of his 21-start career.

Trained on the course by Liam Birchley, the five-year-old entire ploughed through the mud for a clear-cut victory in the open handicap over 1400 metres. “It wasn’t just testing the horses’ fitness but the jockeys’,” Lloyd said. “He was fit and up to the challenge.”

Birchley said Beckham would now be chasing more wins in open company in the coming weeks. “It would be good to get some more black type to add to his value as a sire.”

Beckham is out of WS’s outstanding race mare Glamour Puss, a dual Group One winner, who is now playing a starring role at stud. All six of her foals to race have been winners and also includes the stakes performer Ngarimu (Savabeel).

The Corner with Garry Chittick

Well, it was finally our turn. Mary and I shared in the joy of winning a race; we were there, of course. We could have settled in, in front of the TV – not driven the 50 minutes each way, but the emotions are entirely different.

14 September 2025

Smart Love too smart this start

Smart Love (Savabeel ex Relentless Desire) made a winning return at Te Rapa on 14 September, storming home by 3.3 lengths. Racing in Garry Chittick’s colours, the four-year-old mare impressed for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott after two solid trials.