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Bryan Smart was born in Royston, near Barnsley on 26 September 1956. Both his father and grandfather were coal miners and his mother worked in a shirt factory.
Bryan Smart was born in Royston, near Barnsley on 26 September 1956. Both his father and grandfather were coal miners and his mother worked in a shirt factory.
Bryan never intended to follow the family tradition and go down the mines. However, he discovered an affinity with pit ponies, and he could often find them riding around fields with a bridle made of string and no saddle. He met up with a local horse dealer who took him on the northern show jumping circuit where he learned to ride all sorts of horses and ponies.
Bryan never intended to follow the family tradition and go down the mines. However, he discovered an affinity with pit ponies, and he could often find them riding around fields with a bridle made of string and no saddle. He met up with a local horse dealer who took him on the northern show jumping circuit where he learned to ride all sorts of horses and ponies.
On leaving school at the age of 15, he left his Yorkshire home and began working for Jenny Pitman near Lambourn, who herself was just starting out in her career as a point-to-point trainer.
On leaving school at the age of 15, he left his Yorkshire home and began working for Jenny Pitman near Lambourn, who herself was just starting out in her career as a point-to-point trainer.
He initially rode as an amateur and recorded his first win on the 13-year-old Menaphon in the Sir Geoffrey Congreve Cup Hunters’ Chase at Uttoxeter on 1 April 1975, taking the lead at the last fence and quickening on the run-in top score by four lengths.
He initially rode as an amateur and recorded his first win on the 13-year-old Menaphon in the Sir Geoffrey Congreve Cup Hunters’ Chase at Uttoxeter on 1 April 1975, taking the lead at the last fence and quickening on the run-in top score by four lengths.
In the 1975/76 season he won long-distance chases at Warwick, Worcester and Leicester on the Jenny Pitman-trained Gylippus before experiencing heartbreak in the 1976 Welsh Grand National. Having taken up the running at the 14th fence and drawn clear of his rivals, Gylippus was still in front with the race seemingly won when falling at the last fence.
In the 1975/76 season he won long-distance chases at Warwick, Worcester and Leicester on the Jenny Pitman-trained Gylippus before experiencing heartbreak in the 1976 Welsh Grand National. Having taken up the running at the 14th fence and drawn clear of his rivals, Gylippus was still in front with the race seemingly won when falling at the last fence.
On the strength of that performance, Bryan and Gylippus were sent off favourites for their next outing together, the Kim Muir Memorial Challenge Cup at Cheltenham in March. However, they just failed to peg back the grey Irish challenger Prolan, ridden by Ted Walsh, going down by three-quarters of a length. But Bryan did not leave Cheltenham empty handed that year, for he won the Foxhunters’ Chase on 11/4 favourite False Note, hitting the front two fences out and staying on to beat the mighty Credit Call, the mount of Joey Newton, by four lengths.
On the strength of that performance, Bryan and Gylippus were sent off favourites for their next outing together, the Kim Muir Memorial Challenge Cup at Cheltenham in March. However, they just failed to peg back the grey Irish challenger Prolan, ridden by Ted Walsh, going down by three-quarters of a length. But Bryan did not leave Cheltenham empty handed that year, for he won the Foxhunters’ Chase on 11/4 favourite False Note, hitting the front two fences out and staying on to beat the mighty Credit Call, the mount of Joey Newton, by four lengths.
Bryan turned professional at the start of the 1976/77 season. If fortune had deserted him at the last fence at Chepstow, it was certainly on his side in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter on 23 April 1977. His mount, the 25/1 chance Watafella, also trained by Jenny Pitman, finished third behind No Scotch and Evander, but both the winner and runner-up, along with fourth-placed Kick On and two also-rans, were all subsequently disqualified when it was discovered that they had not been qualified to run.
Bryan turned professional at the start of the 1976/77 season. If fortune had deserted him at the last fence at Chepstow, it was certainly on his side in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter on 23 April 1977. His mount, the 25/1 chance Watafella, also trained by Jenny Pitman, finished third behind No Scotch and Evander, but both the winner and runner-up, along with fourth-placed Kick On and two also-rans, were all subsequently disqualified when it was discovered that they had not been qualified to run.
Bryan won six races on future Grand National winner Corbiere during that horse’s early career. He also won six times on Jenny Pitman’s smart chaser Bueche Giorod during the 1980/81 season including the Leicestershire Silver Fox Handicap Chase by ten lengths and the Massey-Ferguson Gold Cup by six, beating a pair of decent performers in Henry Kissinger and Bachelors Hall on the latter occasion.
Bryan won six races on future Grand National winner Corbiere during that horse’s early career. He also won six times on Jenny Pitman’s smart chaser Bueche Giorod during the 1980/81 season including the Leicestershire Silver Fox Handicap Chase by ten lengths and the Massey-Ferguson Gold Cup by six, beating a pair of decent performers in Henry Kissinger and Bachelors Hall on the latter occasion.
Bryan was a key member of Mrs Pitman’s team at Weathercock House and was responsible for the feeding and medical care of her team of horses as well as being her stable jockey. During the summer months he worked for Ken Cundell and also broke in yearlings for Paul Cole. He later moved to Uplands to join the great Fred Winter while remaining first jockey to Jenny Pitman.
Bryan was a key member of Mrs Pitman’s team at Weathercock House and was responsible for the feeding and medical care of her team of horses as well as being her stable jockey. During the summer months he worked for Ken Cundell and also broke in yearlings for Paul Cole. He later moved to Uplands to join the great Fred Winter while remaining first jockey to Jenny Pitman.
Having ridden more than 200 winners, his career was brought to a premature end when he suffered a serious fall at Huntingdon on 24 October 1981, breaking his skull leg, foot and ankle in a first fence fall from Bowshot in the Grafham Handicap Chase. During his career he had also broken his nose six times.
Having ridden more than 200 winners, his career was brought to a premature end when he suffered a serious fall at Huntingdon on 24 October 1981, breaking his skull leg, foot and ankle in a first fence fall from Bowshot in the Grafham Handicap Chase. During his career he had also broken his nose six times.
After recuperating, Bryan and his wife moved to Wales where they trained point-to-pointers for four years. In 1986 Bryan was encouraged by some of his owners to return to Lambourn to take out a full licence. He did so, starting with a few jumpers and building up to over 30 horses from his base at Hill House. However, within a couple of years his marriage had ended in divorce and his string had dwindled to a mere handful of horses. Things were looking bleak.
After recuperating, Bryan and his wife moved to Wales where they trained point-to-pointers for four years. In 1986 Bryan was encouraged by some of his owners to return to Lambourn to take out a full licence. He did so, starting with a few jumpers and building up to over 30 horses from his base at Hill House. However, within a couple of years his marriage had ended in divorce and his string had dwindled to a mere handful of horses. Things were looking bleak.
But in 1990 he met his present wife Vicky, an equine sport therapist and also an amateur rider and point-to-point jockey. Together they set out to make the business work. In addition, Bryan spent many Sundays on the eventing circuit using his skills as a rider and trainer to help a number of event riders with their show jumping. Among those he trained were former British Team member Rodney Powell and Australian Olympic Gold medallist Andrew Hoy.
But in 1990 he met his present wife Vicky, an equine sport therapist and also an amateur rider and point-to-point jockey. Together they set out to make the business work. In addition, Bryan spent many Sundays on the eventing circuit using his skills as a rider and trainer to help a number of event riders with their show jumping. Among those he trained were former British Team member Rodney Powell and Australian Olympic Gold medallist Andrew Hoy.
Despite his background in National Hunt racing, Bryan began to attract more Flat horses and soon trained his first flat winner, a two-year-old filly named Sharp Gazelle in a maiden auction contest at Bath.
Despite his background in National Hunt racing, Bryan began to attract more Flat horses and soon trained his first flat winner, a two-year-old filly named Sharp Gazelle in a maiden auction contest at Bath.
Through his connections with eventing and show jumping, in 1996 Bryan was introduced to Luis Alvarez Cervera, an Olympic medallist for Spain, who sent him the filly Sil Sila. She won a maiden at Warwick followed by the Listed Radley Stakes at Newbury, her only two starts as a two-year-old. The following year she won the Group 1 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at Chantilly, beating the winner of the Irish Guineas Matiya.
Through his connections with eventing and show jumping, in 1996 Bryan was introduced to Luis Alvarez Cervera, an Olympic medallist for Spain, who sent him the filly Sil Sila. She won a maiden at Warwick followed by the Listed Radley Stakes at Newbury, her only two starts as a two-year-old. The following year she won the Group 1 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at Chantilly, beating the winner of the Irish Guineas Matiya.
In 1998 he trained the winner and the third horse in the inaugural running of the Doncaster St Leger Sales race with two-year-olds Boomerang Blade and Patriot, winning over £200,000 in prize money in one day. The following year he won another valuable two-year-old sales race, the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury, with Don Puccini.
In 1998 he trained the winner and the third horse in the inaugural running of the Doncaster St Leger Sales race with two-year-olds Boomerang Blade and Patriot, winning over £200,000 in prize money in one day. The following year he won another valuable two-year-old sales race, the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury, with Don Puccini.
Bryan’s success as a Flat trainer continued and in March 2000 he and his team moved to Berkeley House Stables in Upper Lambourn, where he increased the size and quality of his string, highlights including winning Goodwood’s Stewards’ Cup with Bond Boy in August 2002.
Bryan’s success as a Flat trainer continued and in March 2000 he and his team moved to Berkeley House Stables in Upper Lambourn, where he increased the size and quality of his string, highlights including winning Goodwood’s Stewards’ Cup with Bond Boy in August 2002.
By that time it had become clear that Bryan would need to expand his facilities further and at the end of October 2002 he moved north to take over historic Hambleton House, situated at the top of Sutton Bank on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. The former base of Les Eyre, Hambleton had been associated with racing since the early part of the 17th century.
By that time it had become clear that Bryan would need to expand his facilities further and at the end of October 2002 he moved north to take over historic Hambleton House, situated at the top of Sutton Bank on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. The former base of Les Eyre, Hambleton had been associated with racing since the early part of the 17th century.
Brian and his team worked hard to restore the yard back to former glory and have been rewarded with further success at the highest level, with Group 1 success for Tangerine Trees in the 2011 Prix de l'Abbaye, and for Alpha Delphini in the 2018 Nunthorpe Stakes. In addition, they have enjoyed Group 2 victories with Monsieur Bond at York, Hellvelyn at Royal Ascot and Moviesta in the King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Brian and his team worked hard to restore the yard back to former glory and have been rewarded with further success at the highest level, with Group 1 success for Tangerine Trees in the 2011 Prix de l'Abbaye, and for Alpha Delphini in the 2018 Nunthorpe Stakes. In addition, they have enjoyed Group 2 victories with Monsieur Bond at York, Hellvelyn at Royal Ascot and Moviesta in the King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Known for his success with two-year-olds, he also has also acquired a reputation for getting the best out of his older horses. At the age of eight, Bond Boy won Musselburgh’s richest race of the year, the Scottish Sprint Cup, bringing his prize money earnings to over £186,000. Tangerine Trees ran a total of 54 times and won over £275,000 in prize money before finally retiring at 11 years old.
Known for his success with two-year-olds, he also has also acquired a reputation for getting the best out of his older horses. At the age of eight, Bond Boy won Musselburgh’s richest race of the year, the Scottish Sprint Cup, bringing his prize money earnings to over £186,000. Tangerine Trees ran a total of 54 times and won over £275,000 in prize money before finally retiring at 11 years old.
Outside of racing, Bryan is on the panel for Sport Horse Breeding, the British Show Hack and Cob Association and the British Show Pony Society. Daughter Beth has made her mark riding in the show ring and is forging a career in the show jumping world.
Outside of racing, Bryan is on the panel for Sport Horse Breeding, the British Show Hack and Cob Association and the British Show Pony Society. Daughter Beth has made her mark riding in the show ring and is forging a career in the show jumping world.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1976: Cheltenham Foxhunters’ Chase – False Note
1976: Cheltenham Foxhunters’ Chase – False Note
1977: Midlands Grand National – Watafella
1977: Midlands Grand National – Watafella
1980: Massey-Ferguson Gold Cup – Bueche Giorod
1980: Massey-Ferguson Gold Cup – Bueche Giorod
Information on Bryan’s training career courtesy of his website: bryansmart-racing.com
Information on Bryan’s training career courtesy of his website: bryansmart-racing.com
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