Queensland Police Service (QPS) horse, Chief de Beers, who began his career as a racehorse, has died weeks short of his 29th birthday.
Affectionately known as ‘Chief’, he was a celebrated champion, particularly when racing at Doomben where he was victorious in 20 of 51 races, with 17 placings.
On his retirement from racing in 1999, Chief was donated by his owners and recruited into the QPS Mounted Police Unit.
With the strong instinct to lead the team from his racing days still intact, Chief’s duties ranged from ceremonial escorts at the opening of the Royal Queensland Show to operational patrols, and later as the Governor’s police horse.
Former handler, Acting Sergeant Belinda Worthington said she had a great relationship with Chief.
“We just clicked, I loved riding him,” Acting Sergeant Worthington said.
“He was my main patrol horse for around nine years, and the horse I used for ceremonies.”
Acting Sergeant Worthington had a particular bond with Chief, telling tales of the two of them breaking up street brawls, bravely entering a bushfire, and putting a regal hoof forward to herald public events.
“His gutsy temperament was also his strength. You couldn’t use force to retrain his instinctive and programmed racing behaviour,” she said.
Chief de Beers retired from the QPS in 2012, where he was given a Vice-Regal send-off, before moving to Living Legends in Victoria to see out his retirement.
He was recently awarded the Blue Cross Medal for his service to the community by the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation.
