Beschizza enjoying all the fun of the fair as US stint pays dividends

Adam Beschizza has hit the ground running after becoming the latest British Flat jockey to swap a winter on the all-weather for a spell trying to break the US circuit.

Beschizza, who in 2015 completed the autumn double by riding the winners of the Cambridgeshire and Cesarewitch, has joined the jockey colony at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, where he has linked up with up-and-coming trainer Joe Sharp.

From ten rides, Beschizza has ridden three winners, all for Sharp, who is the husband of former top jockey Rosie Napravnik and trainer of Grade 1 Haskell Invitational winner Girvin. He has also ridden a second and four thirds.

"I didn't have a bad season at home but I have a good contact in Joe Sharp and have known him for years," said Beschizza, 25. "It is good for him to give me the leg up straight away. He is making my job very easy.

"I didn't expect him to give me this many opportunities. I thought it would be a slower start but I hoped to bag a few before the Churchill Downs meet ends when a lot of Joe's main jockeys will head down here."

Beschizza's 2017 tally of 38 winners was one short of his best tally and included a Listed victory on Hikmaa in the Radley Stakes at Newbury last month.

The Fair Grounds meet began this month and continues until March next year. Beschizza is riding at the track alongside Sophie Doyle, sister of James, and shares an agent with Jack Gilligan, son of former trainer Pat. Tom Queally is riding in California, where he has had two winners, Darryll Holland has gained seven successes in Florida, while Fergal Lynch is enjoyed his best campaign yet with 124 winners this year.

"I probably needed a bit of a new challenge after going from turf season to all-weather in the last three years," Beschizza said. "I have always liked the American scene and always thought I would love to give it a go.

"I have a visa now and I want to try to ride this meet and see how many winners I can ride and then come home and evaluate the situation. I am embracing the challenge but you have to ride winners to stay in the picture.

"I have not fallen out of love with English racing. I still think it's the best racing in the world, but there is one problem and that is prize-money. There are more opportunities for limited horses here and for good money."

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