Peter Beaumont (left) receives a memento from Sir Peter O'Sullevan

  PICTURE: John Grossick 

No dream ending as Peter Beaumont retires

THE long and honourable training career of Peter Beaumont ended at Sedgefield on Tuesday, although unfortunately his last runner, Fencote Mystery, failed to rise to the occasion, finishing sixth in the Sean Magee's Full Set Handicap Chase.

However, there was a surprise in store for Beaumont as he was presented with a memento from the course executive by Sir Peter O'Sullevan, who was a guest of the race sponsor and was paying his first visit to the course for more than 40 years.

Beaumont said: "That was a surprise, as I didn't realise Sir Peter was here.

"Fencote Mystery needs better ground, and I had to persuade his owner Mrs Richardson to let me run him."

Although he took out his first trainer's licence in 1986, it was back in 1968 that Beaumont first began to train in point-to-points.

He said: "I had one the previous year, but sadly that was killed at a point-to-point at Easingwold. In 1968, which was the first foot-and-mouth year, I moved to Brandsby, and I had pointers until 1986, when the owner of JJ Henry persuaded me totake out a licence."

The rest is history, as the quiet man of Yorkshire racing went on to land a string a big race successes, most notably with Gold Cup hero Jodami in 1993.

As he walked out of the track for the last time as a licensed trainer, he said: "I've some great memories, and all those big-race wins were wonderful occasions. I'll still come racing, Haydock gave me life membership on Saturday, so I'll certainly be going there."