Grima eyes shot at history after Beadman’s mystery tipster pays off

Craig KerryJuly 30, 2026 — 5:00pmSiena Grima can’t wait to see her name on the honour roll of champion Sydney apprentices, and to start her campaign for a history-making second premiership on Saturday.Grima this week joined Kathy O’Hara (2004–05), Winona Costin (2014–15) and Rachel King (2017–18) as female riders to claim the junior premiership, after finishing on 34 winners, four ahead of defending champion Braith Nock. With the backing of premier trainer Chris Waller and mentor Darren Beadman since December, Grima racked up regular winners after the autumn carnival to storm to victory.Top apprentice jockey Siena Grima and mentor Darren Beadman.Getty ImagesThe 23-year-old now has her sights on becoming the first woman to go back-to-back.“That’s the goal,” Grima said.“I’d love to do it again, so hopefully I can just keep going and keep getting some winners.“They always say it’s hard to get to the top, but it’s harder to stay there, so it’ll definitely be a good challenge to try and do it again.Siena Grima is all smiles after riding Althoff to victory at Royal Randwick in January.Getty Images“There’s always more apprentices coming through, but it’s good. It keeps you honest, keeps you working hard, knowing that there is more competition coming and just trying to keep on top of your game. Darren’s always there watching, making sure I do that.”Beadman said Grima, who still has a two-kilogram claim and ends her apprenticeship in January 2028, was in a solid position to challenge again, given her attitude and development.“Next season is going to be a really good test for her, with some younger riders coming through, but I think she’s got a very good foundation now to build off,” he said.“And she hasn’t given us a day of trouble. Sometimes having an apprentice can be a bit of a childcare centre, but she hasn’t missed a day’s work and everything we’ve asked her to do, she’s done, so she deserves all the credit.“She’s acquitted herself really well, I’m very proud of her. It was obviously a big step for her to come to town, but iron sharpens iron. Riding against the likes of James [McDonald], Tommy [Berry], Nash [Rawiller], Tim [Clark], just to name a few, it’s really sharpened her up. Every time that I’ve told her, you’ve got to step up here, she has.“She’s getting stronger. She’s becoming more a part of the horse. Not trying to beat the horse to the line, letting the horse do the work.”Beadman himself has received plenty of credit for guiding Grima, but the legendary jockey, a seven-time senior champion and a dual apprenticeship winner in Sydney, was quick to acknowledge the help of a tipster in identifying the Tamworth talent, after he joined Waller’s team this season.“When I went on board with Chris, and we had a talk, and I said, ‘Look, you’ve got the horses to have an apprentice, even two’, so we just had a throw up the stumps, and yeah, we’ve got middle wicket,” he said.“A certain person, who I can’t mention, I asked him who he’d suggest, and he recommended her, just the way that she conducts herself in inquiries and on the track, and her level of riding, she could make a good fist of it in town.”Apprentices with a three-kilogram claim will provide strong competition for Grima next season and opposition could also come from within the Waller camp, as Beadman looks to expand his mentoring role.Siena Grima after winning on Chris Waller-trained Surf’s Up at Rosehill on June 27.Getty Images“I’ve enjoyed it,” he said.“It’s a good little project, and it’s good to be able to invest something back into the young kids. I’ve got my eye on a couple there that are just kicking off, but it’s all a matter of timing when apprentices come to town.“Siena could have easily got lost if we weren’t really on the game because it’s a tough school. They need a good support network around them and a good structure, and that’s what Chris’ stable is.”Grima’s best chance of a winning start to the season on Saturday at Rosehill shapes as Waller-trained Existential Bob ($8), in the Congratulations Siena Grima Handicap. The combination was three-lengths third last start over 1800m at Randwick from gate 10, and they have barrier three for Saturday’s 2000m race.“From the bad draw, we just had to go back last time and he did really well building into it, so I’m really excited to see him from a better draw and a light weight,” she said of Existential Bob.Stablemates Nandina ($9, race three) and Althoff ($10, nine) were other chances.Siena Grima riding Benevac to victory at Randwick on July 11.Getty Images“I did both his trials, he’ll get in first-up with a nice lightweight for him, so I’m really excited for him,” Grima said of Althoff.“Nandina is not a very big filly, so having only 52.5kg on her back will help her out.”Her other rides were Starman ($23) and Matusalem ($16) for Waller, Somerton Smart ($9.50) for Sue Grills and Mogo Magic ($34) for Scott Collings.From our partners