Former Gold Crown winner Beetson, who was trained by Bathurst’s Peter Trevor-Jones throughout the majority of his 177 starts, will enjoy a well-earned retirement due to a soft tissue injury in his leg.

Throughout his years on the track the now 11-year-old remained a menace on the country circuit, finishing his career with almost $400,000 in prize money.

Along with his Group 1 Gold Crown triumph in 2010 Beetson would also claim Group 2 Carousel and Group 3 Canola Cup wins and a runner-up finish in the Group 2 Truer Memorial.

Beetson enjoyed time with Belinda McCarthy during his run towards the Carousel victory and was handled by Shannon Price and Mark Butler over his 2014-15 Queensland campaign.

Beetson was still firing on all cylinders when his latest injury struck.

The Art Major x Erin Jean gelding had won two of his last three starts and according to Trevor-Jones showed no signs of slowing down.

“He was racing and training as well as ever. He certainly hadn’t got sick of it,” he said.

“You sometimes take it a bit for granted during the journey and when it’s finished and you reflect on it you see how exceptionally good he was.

“He made it to the Breeders Crown final but didn’t have any luck there. He came back as a three-year-old but got a tiny tear on his tendon and we gave him 12 months ago. He hadn’t had an off day since he came back.

“Winning the Canola Cup was a really special day. The atmosphere there was great. We had all the family there for it.

“Not many horses have won the Gold Crown, Canola Cup and Carousel. It’s a unique set of wins.”

In the lead up to the 2015 Shirley Turnbull Memorial Trevor-Jones described Beetson as an “Enigma”, citing his often unpredictable performances when the pressure was on.

The gelding won the Gold Crown at odds of $20 and the Carousel at $27.

He may have also had his off moments but when Beetson was at his best he was a fearsome competitor.

To see that you have to look no further than his career best mile rate of 1:52.0, which came almost out of nowhere after several disappointing runs.

Trevor-Jones has had plenty of admiration for Beetson’s ability to fight on.

“I really thought he’d just go forever and ever,” he said.

“With that unfortunate niggle in his back leg that was it.

“He was an extremely enthusiastic horse in trackwork. He just wanted to get on with it. He’s a lovely natured horse too.

“We won some nice races along the way and taking him to the Breeders Crown was special.”