'Legend of the sport' Peter Beaumont remembered at Cartmel

Cartmel expects its biggest crowd for two years on Monday as racing finally gets the chance to pay tribute to Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Peter Beaumont.

The North Yorkshire farmer made famous by Jodami, Hussard Collonges, Young Kenny and many other fine chasers died in March of last year, at a time when pandemic restrictions made a fitting send-off impossible.

So the Peter Beaumont Memorial Handicap Chase is being run in his honour nearly 18 months on, at a track he loved and where his daughter Anthea Leigh is clerk of the course.

Peter Beaumont Memorial Handicap Chase card and betting

"Poor dad died 11 days into the first lockdown and the rules were so strict at the time of his funeral," she said.

"There were only six of us present at the crematorium. We were allowed only ten minutes outside; we weren't allowed to give a reading. It really was brutal.

Anthea Leigh: 'He gathered friends his whole life and so many people wanted to say goodbye'Credit: John Grossick (racing post.com/photos)

"He gathered friends his whole life and so many people wanted to say goodbye. The plan was we'd hold a memorial service but dad died in March 2020 and here we are in August 2021, and the moment for a church service with hymns has gone.

"We still want to celebrate what was a wonderful, happy, successful and kind life, and he loved coming to Cartmel."

The Scottish and Midlands Grand National winner Young Kenny won an amateur riders' novice hurdle at Cartmel in his younger days and Leigh recalled: "Even before he had a licence we won the Fraser Cup for the maiden hunter chase.

Young Kenny: chasing star won over hurdles at CartmelCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"Dad had a great affection for Cartmel and would come even without runners."

Dianne Sayer is keen to win Beaumont's race with six-time course winner Tonto's Spirit but said: "It's such a hot race and the handicapper has probably got too strong a hold of him.

"But he loves Cartmel and you never know. It will be nice to be there to celebrate Peter's life. He was a gentleman and he was one of the legends of the sport. He had a wonderful impact."

Beaumont will also be remembered with a memorial race at Wetherby on October 13.

Leigh said: "Because I'm working here I can't host anything, but that day it will be on his stamping ground and many of his old friends, owners, farmers, trainers and jockeys will be there. Even Michael Dickinson has said if he can fly back from America he will.

"It's Spinal Research day, which is fitting as he was always a big supporter People will be able to pop up to the box for a glass of dad's favourite red wine and catch up with his old friends."

Monday's Cartmel card is the second half of a double-header with Saturday, when the track welcomed back a full crowd for the first time since 2019.

"We had 12,000 or 13,000, which is a decent crowd for the Saturday," Leigh said. "Monday is traditionally the big day. We've got a good forecast, so we're hoping for a good turnout."

Read more about Peter Beaumont:

Jodami's trainer Peter Beaumont dies at the age of 85

The modest and respected man who masterfully guided Jodami to Gold Cup glory

Tributes paid to 'class act' Peter Beaumont, the farmer with an eye for a horse

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