Beschizza Looking to Build on American Success

Newmarket native Adam Beschizza has made a name for himself among the upper-level ranks of jockeys in America, collecting four graded stakes victories in his short time there. After an injury this October put him on the sideline for much of the autumn, he is now preparing to return to the saddle in the next few weeks.

Beschizza grew up in British racing's largest training centre, which inspired his passion for racing.

“I was pretty much born and raised in Newmarket, the horseracing capital of England. If you want to be a jockey in England, I think it's almost vital that you need to be there,” he said.

Coming from a family with strong ties to racing allowed him to gain experience and make connections early in his career. Beschizza's aunt, Julia Feilden, obtained her trainer's licence in 2001 and has since sent out over 200 winners, led by three-time stakes winner Spirit of Sharjah (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). His cousin Shelley Birkett is also a jockey while her brother Ross is assistant trainer to Feilden and also rides as an amateur.

Beschizza said, “It's a family-run business. Both of my cousins ride, and [Julia's] husband and my mother help out as well. So it was a natural progression for me to be heavily involved right from a young school boy.”

And he believes that racing helped him in more ways than one in his childhood.

“Sometimes I think about how most kids never knew what they were going to do after school, but I never had that mindset,” he added. “I always knew I wanted to ride, and it was good for me because it kept me out of trouble a little bit at school. Even from a young age, I've always wanted to be a jockey.”

Beschizza recalls Mick Kinane as one of his heroes growing up.

“I used to love watching Mick,” he said. “He was a stable jockey for Aidan O'Brien and used to ride Giant's Causeway. He rode him for most of his starts, and they ran second in the Breeders' Cup Classic.”

Having graduated from the British Racing School, Beschizza obtained his apprentice licence at the age of 17. The next year he made his first trip to the United States for work experience. “I wanted to get away for the winter and be able to learn more about times and fractions,” he says.

The next few seasons were spent travelling back and forth during the quiet times of racing in England and he had his first race ride in 2009 in England. Beschizza captured the headlines in 2015 when completing the famous 'Autumn Double' with Third Time Lucky (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}) in the Cambridgeshire H. and Grumeti (GB) (Sakhee) in the Cesarewitch H. That same year he rode for the first time in the U.S. for trainer Joe Sharp, whom he had met while working for Mike Stidham.

“I couldn't drive when I was over there, so Joe was basically my little chauffeur,” he recalls. “We got pretty friendly and he's been like a role model to me. From a young age he taught me the ropes and showed me the American way, as they say.”

Returning to the States in 2017 to become a regular rider at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, he was immediately successful, finishing second in the jockey standings with 65 wins. However, he had to learn to adjust to American dirt racing.

“There's definitely a lot of tactical and positioning procedures, the fractions at the beginning of the race are fastest and they finish off slower. The aggression of the races is pretty high and gate position is key. It's all about rhythm and finding a position to get a nice smooth trip around,” he says.

After his success at the Fair Grounds meet, Beschizza moved on to the spring meet at Keeneland, where he claimed his first U.S. stakes win in the 5 1/2-furlong Giant's Causeway S., beating multiple Group 1 winner Lady Aurelia aboard Triple Chelsea (Hat Trick {Jpn}). Just a few days later, he rode Mom's On Strike (First Dude) to victory in the $150,000 GIII Bewitch S. over a mile and a half. Both mares were trained by Sharp.

“Keeneland is such a premiere meet. The best horses, trainers, and jockeys are all there and it's easy to feel overwhelmed and get engulfed by the competition,” he said. “I was very fortunate to have Mom's On Strike and Triple Chelsea, they are two very special fillies. ”

Subsequent seasons have taken him to Churchill Downs, Belmont Park, Arlington Park, Saratoga, and Kentucky Downs, before a return to Fair Grounds saw him top the jockeys' table with 78 wins.

“I've been very fortunate to travel around all the states in America,” he said. “Fair Grounds is probably my favorite within reason, but Kentucky is very good racing. The purses are huge and everyone wants to be racing there.

He continued, “I really enjoy Kentucky Downs. The vibe gives me a homely sort of feeling. The oval-shaped track allows you to be a bit more patient and ride a proper race to give the horse a true chance.”

This summer, Beschizza enhanced his CV with three more stakes victories, including another astride Mom's On Strike in the GIII Old Forester Mint Julep S. at Churchill. A few weeks later at Arlington Park, he scored two stakes wins in one day, claiming the GIII American Derby with Faraway Kitten (Kitten's Joy) for Mike Maker and the GIII Arlington H. aboard Bandua (The Factor) for Jack Sisterson. Beschizza particularly enjoyed his win with Bandua, having ridden him consistently throughout his career.

“The win was great because I've ridden Bandua about 10 times now, so I know him like the back of my hand,” he said. “He's such a cool horse, and I think it was one of Sisterson's first graded stakes runners, so he's a barn favourite.”

During this year's Keeneland Fall meet, a spill led to the fatal injury of his mount, Triggerman and landed Beschizza on the sidelines with a broken collarbone. He plans to return in the coming weeks and is dreaming of even greater success.

“I'd love to win a Grade I. Obviously that's the aim of every jockey, but if I'm fortunate enough to find the right horse to get me to that stage, it'd be pretty nice,” he said. “The whole idea of me coming to the States was to look for bigger and better opportunities. I've been very lucky to fall across the right people and be at the right place at the right time. I've always wanted to be a jockey and get to do something I love and get paid for it. I mean, who wouldn't want to do that, right?”