Andrew Smith

Andrew Smith 

Article by Alan Trout

Andrew Graham Smith had more than 50 rides and two wins during the 1988/89 National Hunt season. His first success was at Cartmel on August 27, when Rivers Secret, trained by Denys Smith, came through to lead on the flat and land the Royal Bank of Scotland Handicap Hurdle by two lengths.  

Andrew had ridden the four-year-old on his only previous start that season, finishing unplaced, but after their Cartmel victory they confirmed their progress when taking the valuable Timeform Handicap Hurdle, worth over £6,000, at Chepstow on the first day of October. It was only by a head that the challenge of David Burchell on Gouldswood was resisted. 

Following their big race triumph, Andrew and Rivers Secret came fifth in Ascot’s Valley Gardens Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, then finished last of nine in the White Label Handicap Hurdle, worth £11,647 to the winner, at Cheltenham on Mackeson Gold Cup day.    

Despite finishing second at least five times that season, Andrew did not win another race.