Toronto, ON – The Chad Beckon Recovery Fund Golf Tournament, Dinner and Silent Auction, held on July 30, raised $40,000 in support of the injured rider.
Owners, trainers, jockeys and friends gathered at thoroughbred owner Gus Schickedanz’s Ballantrae Golf and Country Club near Aurora on Thursday, to honour Beckon, who was seriously injured in a spill at Woodbine on June 17. “It was a perfect day,” said Robert King, Secretary/Manager Jockeys’ Benefit Association of Canada. “It was wonderful to see so many people come together to support our friend Chad. This is a perfect example of the horse racing community. When someone is hurt or going through tough times, everyone bands together to lend a hand.”
It was a sentiment shared by Tony Esposito, Beckon’s agent. “When I spoke at the dinner, it struck me then that in the room were 200 horsepeople taking care of one of their own,” said Esposito. “In this type of situation, we might feel ordinary as individuals. But as a group, we feel extraordinary.”
The event, which featured 18 holes of golf, various fundraising activities and dinner, was designed to raise funds for Beckon, who is currently undergoing outpatient rehabilitation at a Toronto area hospital. “He’s getting better,” said Esposito. “He’s working hard at recovering and I know he is very appreciative of everyone’s concern for him. So, too, is his wife, Cory. Even though it was an accident that happened to be on one of his horses, Mr. Schickedanz has stepped up to take care of Chad and his family.”
Veteran rider Robert Landry was happy to be part of the fundraiser. “I am so proud of the industry,” said Landry. “It was great to see everyone come together for Chad. He’s always smiling. He seeks out advice from us and he wants to learn. Chad is just a great all-round guy, someone everybody cares about.”
Beckon, son of the late Toronto-based jockey Dan Beckon, won his first race on September 10, 2003, teaming with Lil Personalitee for the milestone score at Woodbine. He has two Fort Erie riding titles to his name, a feat he accomplished in 2005, as an apprentice, and in 2008, as a journeyman, winning 85 races at the border oval. In last year’s Deputy Minister Stakes on July 16 at Woodbine, Beckon, aboard longshot Piper in the Glen, took the 12th running of the seven-furlong race, in what represented his first added-money score. He had eight wins and 29 top-three finishes so far in 2009.
“When I was galloping out, I just wanted to pinch myself,” recalled Beckon, at the start of the 2009 Woodbine racing season. “You don’t forget something like that. I’m still speechless. I walk by the winner’s circle picture almost every day and it still makes me smile.”
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