Arthur J Smith
1840 -1936
1840 -1936
Captain Arthur J. Smith, familiarly known to his friends as ‘Doggie’, was born in February 1840. He acquired his nickname for the very good reason that he was invariably accompanied by a dog, even it seems during his education at Rugby School. A top amateur rider, he won the National Hunt Chase four times, along with the Grand Military Gold Cup, and was twice placed in the Grand National.
Captain Arthur J. Smith, familiarly known to his friends as ‘Doggie’, was born in February 1840. He acquired his nickname for the very good reason that he was invariably accompanied by a dog, even it seems during his education at Rugby School. A top amateur rider, he won the National Hunt Chase four times, along with the Grand Military Gold Cup, and was twice placed in the Grand National.
On leaving Rugby in 1858 he joined the Carabineers, the regiment being in India at that time. He soon made his mark there as an amateur rider. Retuning home with his regiment in 1860 he rode his first winner in Britain on a mare named Cockatoo at Warwick.
On leaving Rugby in 1858 he joined the Carabineers, the regiment being in India at that time. He soon made his mark there as an amateur rider. Retuning home with his regiment in 1860 he rode his first winner in Britain on a mare named Cockatoo at Warwick.
He later served in the 6th Dragoon Guards and won the 1864 Grand Military Gold Cup, appropriately held at Rugby that year, on Major George Wombwell’s horse Bell’s Life. That same year he also scored the first of his four National Hunt Chase victories on Game Chicken, the race taking place at Melton.
He later served in the 6th Dragoon Guards and won the 1864 Grand Military Gold Cup, appropriately held at Rugby that year, on Major George Wombwell’s horse Bell’s Life. That same year he also scored the first of his four National Hunt Chase victories on Game Chicken, the race taking place at Melton.
His second National Hunt Chase came on Daybreak in 1871 when it was staged at Lincoln. The third was gained on Lucellum in 1874, when it was held for the only time at Aylesbury. His fourth and last National Hunt Chase winner was New Glasgow in 1880, the race taking place that year at Liverpool.
His second National Hunt Chase came on Daybreak in 1871 when it was staged at Lincoln. The third was gained on Lucellum in 1874, when it was held for the only time at Aylesbury. His fourth and last National Hunt Chase winner was New Glasgow in 1880, the race taking place that year at Liverpool.
He finished third in the 1868 National Hunt Chase on Daniel O’Rourke and second on Llanfrechfa in 1881. However, in between those efforts, he suffered a broken collarbone when Bellringer fell with him in 1876 renewal.
He finished third in the 1868 National Hunt Chase on Daniel O’Rourke and second on Llanfrechfa in 1881. However, in between those efforts, he suffered a broken collarbone when Bellringer fell with him in 1876 renewal.
Arthur rode in eight Grand Nationals between 1871 and 1884, completing the course on six occasions. He finished third in 1882 on Zoedone and fourth on New Glasgow in 1881. However, his best chance, he always reflected, came in 1874 on Haraut D’Arme, which he rated the best he ever rode. He won the Conyngham Cup at Punchestown on him but the horse’s trainer insisted on fitting a more severe type of bit for the Grand National, the result being that he jumped badly and eventually fell.
Arthur rode in eight Grand Nationals between 1871 and 1884, completing the course on six occasions. He finished third in 1882 on Zoedone and fourth on New Glasgow in 1881. However, his best chance, he always reflected, came in 1874 on Haraut D’Arme, which he rated the best he ever rode. He won the Conyngham Cup at Punchestown on him but the horse’s trainer insisted on fitting a more severe type of bit for the Grand National, the result being that he jumped badly and eventually fell.
Captain Arthur (‘Doggie’) Smith died at Hove, Sussex, on May 5, 1936, aged 96. He left £13,820.
Captain Arthur (‘Doggie’) Smith died at Hove, Sussex, on May 5, 1936, aged 96. He left £13,820.
Best wins:
Best wins:
1864: National Hunt Chase - Game Chicken
1864: National Hunt Chase - Game Chicken
1871: National Hunt Chase - Daybreak
1871: National Hunt Chase - Daybreak
1874: National Hunt Chase - Lucellum
1874: National Hunt Chase - Lucellum
1880: National Hunt Chase - New Glasgow (run at Aintree)
1880: National Hunt Chase - New Glasgow (run at Aintree)
The 1864 Grand Military Gold Cup run at Rugby on Monday, March 14
The 1864 Grand Military Gold Cup run at Rugby on Monday, March 14
On Saturday, April 2 1864, Captain Smith enjoyed the first of his four National Hunt 'Chase victories.
On Saturday, April 2 1864, Captain Smith enjoyed the first of his four National Hunt 'Chase victories.
The outsider Cooksboro' actually won the race by five lengths, but, at the weighing-in, Captain Smith claimed the race, alleging that Mr Loton, who rode the winner, was neither a 'gentleman' not 'farmer', as qualified to ride by the conditions -in other words, he had ridden for hire. The objection was sustained.
The outsider Cooksboro' actually won the race by five lengths, but, at the weighing-in, Captain Smith claimed the race, alleging that Mr Loton, who rode the winner, was neither a 'gentleman' not 'farmer', as qualified to ride by the conditions -in other words, he had ridden for hire. The objection was sustained.