One of Queensland’s greatest horses, Chief De Beers, has passed away today at the age of 28.
The two-time Doomben 10,000 winner and ex-Queensland Police horse died peacefully at his Living Legends home, just days after receiving his prestigious Blue Cross Medal for his service to the force and community.
It follows a long illness that was first treated five years ago and had only recently required further ongoing treatment.
Chief De Beers will no doubt be remembered as the ‘King of Doomben’, where he claimed all 20 of his career wins.
He won the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 in 1995 and 1998, as well as 10 other black-type races at the course.
He was twice placed in Group 1 races at Eagle Farm, and also placed at Flemington, Caulfield, Moonee Valley and the Gold Coast, but Doomben remained the only track where he tasted success.
The Doomben Hall of Fame inductee was retired in 1999, drawing the curtains on a career that spanned 51 starts for 20 wins, 17 placings and more than $1.5 million in prize money.
“We are incredibly saddened to learn of the great Chief De Beers’ passing, he will no doubt be remembered as one of the finest and most iconic horses to grace the race track in Queensland,” Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said.
“A two-time Group 1 winner, his incredible record at Doomben saw him claim all 20 of his career wins at the venue in what is a truly unique feat.
“However, his legacy spans far greater than those achievements, serving our police force with honour for more than a decade as a Queensland Mounted Police.
“The Chief was recently honoured with a Blue Cross Medal for his service to the force and the community as a whole, and is a fitting honour for what he achieved over his 28-year life.”
In retirement ‘The Chief’ continued to flourish as a mounted police horse for the Queensland Mounted Police, where his decade-long service mirrored his racing tenure – distinguished and decorated.
He served as a ceremonial escort at a number of high-profile events, including the Royal Queensland Show opening and the appointment of the Queensland Governor – later serving as the Governor’s designated police horse.
He was also seen at Suncorp Stadium on game days, where he dictated terms like days gone by as a crowd control horse for the Service.
After a decade in the force, he was retired in 2012 where he lived out his days at the famous Living Legends paddock in Melbourne, enjoying pats and selfies from the farm’s countless visitors.
Earlier this year, it was announced that he would be honoured with the prestigious Blue Cross Medal for his service as a member of the Queensland Police, and his community engagement with Living Legends – he was presented his medal only days ago.
Living Legends CEO and Veterinary Director Dr Andrew Clarke said the much-loved Chief will be remembered fondly for not only his incredible racing story but his enormous impact on people and the community.
“Chief was only small in stature but he was big on attitude and spark and kept us laughing right until the end,” Dr Clarke said.
“He will be sorely missed at Living Legends and his unique achievements as a champion both on and off the track will be his lasting legacy.
“It’s wonderful that Chief De Beers has received such deserved recognition as the recipient of the 2020 Blue Cross Australia/New Zealand Award.
“In addition to his extraordinary contribution as a police horse, ‘life after life after racing’ saw Chief become a very popular racing ambassador with fans of all ages from primary school students to residents at seniors’ homes.
“He encapsulated what Living Legends is all about and it is a very fitting honour.”
Racing Queensland offers its sincere condolences to his owners, the Greenup and Chapman families, his long-time companion Queensland Police Officer Belinda Worthington, and the team at Living Legends who so beautifully took care of our champion in his later years.