The Country 18/09/25: Simon Beamish talks to Jamie Mackay

This Hawke’s Bay farmer is a former winner of the 2024 East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards. He’s also the father of World Champion 3000 metre steeplechase athlete Geordie Beamish. Today, we talk to a very proud parent in Tokyo

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, I've been on the case of this float for
a couple of days. We finally got colms into Japan, Tokyo,
no less, where we find Simon Beamish, well known Hawks
Bay farmer of course these days more famous Simon for
being the father of Jordi Beamish, who won the World
Championship three thousand meters steeple chase. How great was that

(00:21):
for you as a parent along with your wife Josie
sitting in the stadium watching.

Speaker 2 (00:26):
That, Well, it was pretty amazing and the memory of
a lifetime or an experience, that's for sure. We didn't
actually realize that, but we were front row with about
eighty meters to go and on reflection, couldn't have been
in their better spot.

Speaker 3 (00:45):
Really, did you think he had it in him?

Speaker 1 (00:47):
Because the bloke, the Moroccan bloke al Bakhali, has basically
been untouchable in this event. He shot out into the
lead and we know Jordie's got a brilliant kick finish,
but did you think he could pull that?

Speaker 3 (01:01):
Well?

Speaker 2 (01:02):
Albert Kaylee, he's got He's had such good form and
consistent form over a long period of time. He's it
seemed like he was unbeatable and then there's Gurma who
is never far behind.

Speaker 3 (01:15):
In fact, I think he may even have the world record.

Speaker 2 (01:18):
So you know, a couple of Africans there and the
finish line I think six Africans and one Kiwi.

Speaker 3 (01:25):
So they're a.

Speaker 2 (01:26):
Formidable continent to try and get ahead off, that's for sure.
And and if Jordi was a parabridge, you would never
put any money on him, that's for sure because it
is pretty unpredictable. He likes languishing out the back and
it's quite a ride watching them try and get.

Speaker 3 (01:47):
To the front. That's for sure.

Speaker 1 (01:49):
My favorite sporting moment of the year thus far is
Jeordy Beamsh winning that race, and it was great to
see Hamish Kurr as well. Two Kiwis on the top
of the podium in Tokyo. Was it true that the
Moroccan Alba Kalali didn't even know Jordie's name. That seems
a bit arrogant.

Speaker 2 (02:07):
If that was the case, well, that's hard to believe,
and I don't know whether that was just one report,
one person's opinion.

Speaker 3 (02:16):
It's a pretty small community.

Speaker 2 (02:19):
You know, you could throw you could throw a rug
over the stable chasers that turn up to heatsworth. It's
hard to believe that someone of that caliber doesn't do
a little bit of planning before.

Speaker 3 (02:32):
Yeah, so I'm not, honestly, I honestly don't know, but
it kind of looked a bit like it. Maybe have you.

Speaker 1 (02:39):
Booked anually from the Hawk's Bay Farm for l A
And when is it twenty twenty eight?

Speaker 3 (02:44):
Well, we all turned up to Paris and that was that.

Speaker 2 (02:49):
That didn't go according to plan, and I guess testament
to Jordie's resilience. He was pretty banged up, injured and
leading ups of Paris, but he had been going so well,
and you know, there's always expectations, but you know it's

(03:10):
probably unfinished business for him. But these athletes, they just
live on a nice edge.

Speaker 3 (03:17):
And you have to be competitive on the day.

Speaker 2 (03:20):
You know, not only do all the stars have to align,
but you've got to be in amazing shape to be competitive.

Speaker 3 (03:27):
And yeah, we'll just take this win and enjoy it
while we can.

Speaker 1 (03:31):
What is he something like twenty eight years of age,
late twenties. When does a steeple chaser peak age wise?
I mean we know that sprinters start to slow down
obviously once they're in their thirties. Unless you're heading to
the enhanced Games. But what about steeplechasers. That's an endurance event.

Speaker 2 (03:48):
But it's a bit of research I haven't done, Jamie,
to be fair, I'm more of a farmer than a.

Speaker 3 (03:56):
Sports than a sports and.

Speaker 2 (03:59):
When it comes to to stables chasing. But I imagine, Well,
it was one of the On guys said yesterday at
their headquarters. They think he's just maybe peeking in the
next couple of years. I saw in the Jason Ross
actually his sort of chiropractice physio and Jason Geordie's body

(04:21):
has been the biggest challenge he's come across, and he
was saying, I'm getting to the bottom of it. I'm
getting more and more confident working with his body. So
maybe we've got another year or two left to be
on the sideline and support him.

Speaker 1 (04:35):
I reckon he'd damn handy when he comes back to
the Hawks Boy farm. You can send him out to
go around the sheep and he wouldn't have to open
the gates, just leap the fence.

Speaker 2 (04:43):
Maybe he's tripped up and rolled down a few of
those hills on our by more than we think, because
he certainly managed that role pretty well in recovery on
a Saturday night.

Speaker 1 (04:55):
Absolutely fantastic. Just before I let you go, how are
things on the Hawks boy farm. I know you've taken
a brief break and you'll be heading back there. I
understand you're getting a wee bit dry.

Speaker 2 (05:04):
Yeah, yeah, you go and put a holding the fort
there and the rest of the team.

Speaker 3 (05:08):
Thank you very much. We've had actually reasonable rain up
against the Rangers forty five meals this month.

Speaker 2 (05:17):
Some of that has been sideways by the look of it,
so a bit of a roller coaster. That's farming, isn't it,
weather wise and everything else. But hopefully if it's blown
and wild now, it might be calm and October and
a bit easier.

Speaker 3 (05:35):
On the farm.

Speaker 1 (05:36):
Simon Beamish out of Tokyo, thank you very much for
your time. The whole country is so proud of your son, Jordi.
What a finish, What a moment in New Zealand's sporting history.

Speaker 3 (05:46):
Yeah, I love it to be part of it. Thank
you for the call. Jamis