Darren Beadman's riding career has been one of almost unbroken success since his days as an apprentice. In his first year, 1982-83, he won the apprentice jockeys' title, in 1983-84 he ran second, and in 1984-85 he again won the title.

Beadman's first Group 1 win came on Inspired in the 1984 Golden Slipper, and he was to win a second Golden Slipper on Guineas in 1997. In 1990 he won the Melbourne Cup on Kingston Rule at just his third ride in the race. In 1996 he partnered Saintly to win the Cox Plate-Melbourne Cup double. Other outstanding achievements included his winning the Doncaster-Epsom Handicap double on Super Impose in 1991. In the 1994-95 season Beadman won the Sydney jockeys' premiership and rode an Australian record 186 winners on all tracks. He again won the premiership in 1995-96, but in 1997 announced that he was retiring from race-riding to enter the ministry with the Christian Life Centre at Waterloo. At that stage of his career he had 46 Group 1 wins to his credit.

Since his return to racing in 2000, Beadman has added a further 33 Group 1s to his total, with his partnership with champion Lonhro being the highlight of his renewed career. He gained further Sydney jockeys' premierships in 2002-3, 2003-04, 143 wins in 2004-05, 152 wins in 2005-06 and a record breaking 162 wins in 2006-07.

Beadman moved to Hong Kong in 2007 to become stable jockey for John Moore. Beadman rode more than 250 winners in Hing Kong, but in 2012 suffered severer head injuries from a racetrack fall which forced his retirement.

Beadman was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.

Image Source: Australian Racing Museum Collection