Charlie Smirke
1906 - 1993
1906 - 1993
Charles James William Smirke was born in Lambeth, South London, on September 23, 1906, and was the son of a fruit and fish merchant. He family had no connection with racing and it was only because of his diminutive stature that he considered a career in the saddle.
Charles James William Smirke was born in Lambeth, South London, on September 23, 1906, and was the son of a fruit and fish merchant. He family had no connection with racing and it was only because of his diminutive stature that he considered a career in the saddle.
In the summer of 1920, having left school at the age of 13, he became apprenticed to legendary trainer Stanley Wootton at Treadwell House and had his first ride in public on Saturday August 27 1921 when finishing third on King George to Tetragynia in the Sutton Handicap at Gatwick.
In the summer of 1920, having left school at the age of 13, he became apprenticed to legendary trainer Stanley Wootton at Treadwell House and had his first ride in public on Saturday August 27 1921 when finishing third on King George to Tetragynia in the Sutton Handicap at Gatwick.
He recorded his first win on Saturday April 8 1922 on an unnamed two-year-old in the first race at Derby and in the summer was given a retainer by Mr Joel.
He recorded his first win on Saturday April 8 1922 on an unnamed two-year-old in the first race at Derby and in the summer was given a retainer by Mr Joel.
That year, he rode 39 winners: he rode another 56 in 1923, followed by a further 78 in 1924. Charlie was now riding as first jockey to Mr Kenyon, a Shropshire farmer for whom Capt Davies trained privately in Cheshire. In Mr Kenyon's colours he won both the Gold Vase on Audlem and the Bessborough Stakes on Haine at Royal Ascot. He also had his first Derby ride, finishing unplaced on Bucks Yeoman.
That year, he rode 39 winners: he rode another 56 in 1923, followed by a further 78 in 1924. Charlie was now riding as first jockey to Mr Kenyon, a Shropshire farmer for whom Capt Davies trained privately in Cheshire. In Mr Kenyon's colours he won both the Gold Vase on Audlem and the Bessborough Stakes on Haine at Royal Ascot. He also had his first Derby ride, finishing unplaced on Bucks Yeoman.
He was retained by the Aga Khan in 1926/27, the last two years of his apprenticeship, and maintained the partnership intermittently for the next 30 years.
He was retained by the Aga Khan in 1926/27, the last two years of his apprenticeship, and maintained the partnership intermittently for the next 30 years.
In 1928, he was replaced as first jockey by Michael Beary and was immediately snapped up by Newmarket trainer Victor Gilpin. That year, on August 31, he rode Welcome Gift, the 4/11 favourite, in a 2-y-o race at Gatwick. The horse, refusing to race, was left at the start. Incredibly, and most unjustly, Charlie was accused of making no effort to start, and his licence was withdrawn for five years. In subsequent races under other jockeys, Welcome Star also refused to start and was retired.
In 1928, he was replaced as first jockey by Michael Beary and was immediately snapped up by Newmarket trainer Victor Gilpin. That year, on August 31, he rode Welcome Gift, the 4/11 favourite, in a 2-y-o race at Gatwick. The horse, refusing to race, was left at the start. Incredibly, and most unjustly, Charlie was accused of making no effort to start, and his licence was withdrawn for five years. In subsequent races under other jockeys, Welcome Star also refused to start and was retired.
Charlie was not seen on a British racecourse until 26 October, 1933, when – his licence returned – he rode Equidistant at Newmarket. He had his first winner back two weeks later at Windsor riding Statesman.
Charlie was not seen on a British racecourse until 26 October, 1933, when – his licence returned – he rode Equidistant at Newmarket. He had his first winner back two weeks later at Windsor riding Statesman.
Before this, he had been reduced to sleeping on the beach at Brighton as he struggled to relaunch his career.
Before this, he had been reduced to sleeping on the beach at Brighton as he struggled to relaunch his career.
His star in the ascendency again, he rode his first Derby winner, Windsor Lad, before going on to win his first St Leger on the same horse.
His star in the ascendency again, he rode his first Derby winner, Windsor Lad, before going on to win his first St Leger on the same horse.
Once again he became stable jockey to the Aga Khan and promptly won the 1935 St Leger for him on Bahram, a chance mount accepted when the horse's regular rider, Freddie Fox, was injured on the first day of the Doncaster meeting.
Once again he became stable jockey to the Aga Khan and promptly won the 1935 St Leger for him on Bahram, a chance mount accepted when the horse's regular rider, Freddie Fox, was injured on the first day of the Doncaster meeting.
Charlie won a second Derby on Mahmoud in 1936 before war broke out: he served as a bombardier and took part in the invasion of Sicily. This had been his second enforced five-year absence from racing: now, his home destroyed by bombs and with just £65 gratuity from the Army, he tried to earn some sort of living riding over hurdles in Ireland. Then, for trainer Gerald Wellsley, he won a 5 furlong sprint at Phoenix Park on The Bug. Charlie was then engaged to ride The Bug in the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot; he did so and won in a common canter. The pair then went on to win the July Cup and Charlie was back in the big time.
Charlie won a second Derby on Mahmoud in 1936 before war broke out: he served as a bombardier and took part in the invasion of Sicily. This had been his second enforced five-year absence from racing: now, his home destroyed by bombs and with just £65 gratuity from the Army, he tried to earn some sort of living riding over hurdles in Ireland. Then, for trainer Gerald Wellsley, he won a 5 furlong sprint at Phoenix Park on The Bug. Charlie was then engaged to ride The Bug in the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot; he did so and won in a common canter. The pair then went on to win the July Cup and Charlie was back in the big time.
Over the next few years until his retirement in 1959, Charlie was a major force in British racing. He won 11 Classics and numerous other big races: he even went across to America in the Autumn of 1953 to win one of their greatest races, the Washington International, on Worden ll, at Laurel Park.
Over the next few years until his retirement in 1959, Charlie was a major force in British racing. He won 11 Classics and numerous other big races: he even went across to America in the Autumn of 1953 to win one of their greatest races, the Washington International, on Worden ll, at Laurel Park.
His last season yielded just 3 winners including his very last – Sovereign Path at Windsor on November 6.
His last season yielded just 3 winners including his very last – Sovereign Path at Windsor on November 6.
Once retired, Charlie had little to do with racing, except publish his autobiography, Finishing Post. He concentrated instead on improving his golf.
Once retired, Charlie had little to do with racing, except publish his autobiography, Finishing Post. He concentrated instead on improving his golf.
Charlie Smirke died at Leatherhead, Surrey, on December 20, 1993, aged 87.
Charlie Smirke died at Leatherhead, Surrey, on December 20, 1993, aged 87.
Classic winners:
Classic winners:
Two Thousand Guineas: My Babu (1949), Palestine (1950)
Two Thousand Guineas: My Babu (1949), Palestine (1950)
One Thousand Guineas: Rose Royale II (1957)
One Thousand Guineas: Rose Royale II (1957)
Derby: Windsor Lad (1934), Mahmoud (1936), Tulyar (1952), Hard Ridden (1958)
Derby: Windsor Lad (1934), Mahmoud (1936), Tulyar (1952), Hard Ridden (1958)
St Leger: Windsor Lad (1934), Mahmoud (1936), Tulyar (1952), Never Say Die (1954)
St Leger: Windsor Lad (1934), Mahmoud (1936), Tulyar (1952), Never Say Die (1954)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1924: Victoria Cup – Jarvie
1924: Victoria Cup – Jarvie
1924: Ascot Stakes – Scullion
1924: Ascot Stakes – Scullion
1924: Queen’s Vase – Audlem
1924: Queen’s Vase – Audlem
1924: Northumberland Plate – Jazz Band
1924: Northumberland Plate – Jazz Band
1924: Jockey Club Cup – Plack
1924: Jockey Club Cup – Plack
1926: Coronation Stakes – Moti Mahal
1926: Coronation Stakes – Moti Mahal
1926: Yorkshire Oaks – Doushka
1926: Yorkshire Oaks – Doushka
1927: Chester Cup – Dark Japan
1927: Chester Cup – Dark Japan
1927: Manchester Cup – Dark Japan
1927: Manchester Cup – Dark Japan
1927: Norfolk Stakes – Hakim
1927: Norfolk Stakes – Hakim
1927: Goodwood Cup – Dark Japan
1927: Goodwood Cup – Dark Japan
1928: Queen Mary Stakes – Arabella
1928: Queen Mary Stakes – Arabella
1928: King’s Stand Stakes – Chichester Cross
1928: King’s Stand Stakes – Chichester Cross
1928: Goodwood Stakes – Arctic Star
1928: Goodwood Stakes – Arctic Star
1935: Eclipse Stakes – Windsor Lad
1935: Eclipse Stakes – Windsor Lad
1935: Dewhurst Stakes – Bala Hissar
1935: Dewhurst Stakes – Bala Hissar
1936: Victoria Cup – Hairan
1936: Victoria Cup – Hairan
1936: New (Norfolk) Stakes – Le Grand Duc
1936: New (Norfolk) Stakes – Le Grand Duc
1936: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Taj Akbar
1936: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Taj Akbar
1937: Queen Mary Stakes – Queen Of Simla
1937: Queen Mary Stakes – Queen Of Simla
1937: July Stakes – Mirza II
1937: July Stakes – Mirza II
1937: Molecomb Stakes – Anne Of Austria
1937: Molecomb Stakes – Anne Of Austria
1938: Falmouth Stakes – La-Li
1938: Falmouth Stakes – La-Li
1939: Coventry Stakes- Turkhan
1939: Coventry Stakes- Turkhan
1939: Richmond Stakes – Moradabad
1939: Richmond Stakes – Moradabad
1940: Irish Derby – Turkhan
1940: Irish Derby – Turkhan
1946: Wokingham Stakes – The Bug
1946: Wokingham Stakes – The Bug
1946: July Cup – The Bug
1946: July Cup – The Bug
1946: Nunthorpe Stakes – The Bug
1946: Nunthorpe Stakes – The Bug
1946: Diadem Stakes – The Bug
1946: Diadem Stakes – The Bug
1947: Cork and Orrery Stakes – The Bug
1947: Cork and Orrery Stakes – The Bug
1947: Queen Mary Stakes – Masaka
1947: Queen Mary Stakes – Masaka
1947: New (Norfolk) Stakes – Delirium (dead-heat)
1947: New (Norfolk) Stakes – Delirium (dead-heat)
1947: Queen Alexandra Stakes – Monsieur l’Amiral
1947: Queen Alexandra Stakes – Monsieur l’Amiral
1947: Eclipse Stakes – Migoli
1947: Eclipse Stakes – Migoli
1947: Princess Margaret Stakes – Fair Dinah
1947: Princess Margaret Stakes – Fair Dinah
1947: Goodwood Cup – Monsieur l’Amiral
1947: Goodwood Cup – Monsieur l’Amiral
1948: Craven Stakes – My Babu
1948: Craven Stakes – My Babu
1948: City of Birmingham Cup – Star Of Gujrath
1948: City of Birmingham Cup – Star Of Gujrath
1948: Union Stakes – Delirium
1948: Union Stakes – Delirium
1948: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Delirium
1948: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Delirium
1948: New (Norfolk) Stakes – Makarpura
1948: New (Norfolk) Stakes – Makarpura
1948: Hardwicke Stakes – Sayajirao
1948: Hardwicke Stakes – Sayajirao
1948: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Ballisland
1948: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Ballisland
1948: Old Newton Cup – Preciptic
1948: Old Newton Cup – Preciptic
1948: Sussex Stakes – My Babu
1948: Sussex Stakes – My Babu
1948: Molecomb Stakes – Integrity
1948: Molecomb Stakes – Integrity
1948: Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – Migoli
1948: Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – Migoli
1949: Victoria Cup – My Babu
1949: Victoria Cup – My Babu
1949: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Diableretta
1949: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Diableretta
1949: National Stakes – Palestine
1949: National Stakes – Palestine
1950: St James’s Palace Stakes – Palestine
1950: St James’s Palace Stakes – Palestine
1950: Coronation Stakes – Tambara
1950: Coronation Stakes – Tambara
1950: Ribblesdale Stakes – La Baille
1950: Ribblesdale Stakes – La Baille
1950: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Marteline
1950: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Marteline
1050: Portland Handicap – Paramount
1050: Portland Handicap – Paramount
1050: Park Hill Stakes – La Baille
1050: Park Hill Stakes – La Baille
1950: Ayr Gold Cup – First Consul
1950: Ayr Gold Cup – First Consul
1950: Royal Lodge Stakes – Fraise du Bois II
1950: Royal Lodge Stakes – Fraise du Bois II
1951: Irish Derby – Fraise du Bois II
1951: Irish Derby – Fraise du Bois II
1951: Princess Royal Stakes – Verse
1951: Princess Royal Stakes – Verse
1951: Portland Handicap – Reminiscence
1951: Portland Handicap – Reminiscence
1952: Lingfield Derby Trial – Tulyar
1952: Lingfield Derby Trial – Tulyar
1952: Eclipse Stakes – Tulyar
1952: Eclipse Stakes – Tulyar
1952: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – Tulyar
1952: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – Tulyar
1952: Stewards Cup – Smokey Eyes
1952: Stewards Cup – Smokey Eyes
1952: Royal Lodge Stakes – Neemah
1952: Royal Lodge Stakes – Neemah
1953: Molecomb Stakes – Urshalim
1953: Molecomb Stakes – Urshalim
1953: Park Hill Stakes – Kerkeb
1953: Park Hill Stakes – Kerkeb
1953: Washington D.C. International – Worden
1953: Washington D.C. International – Worden
1954: Lowther Stakes – Our Betters
1954: Lowther Stakes – Our Betters
1954: Park Hill Stakes – Bara Bibi
1954: Park Hill Stakes – Bara Bibi
1954: Cumberland Lodge Stakes – Elopement
1954: Cumberland Lodge Stakes – Elopement
1955: Dockers’ Derby – Roman Festival
1955: Dockers’ Derby – Roman Festival
1956: Jockey Club Stakes – Kurun
1956: Jockey Club Stakes – Kurun
1956: Lingfield Derby Trial – Induna
1956: Lingfield Derby Trial – Induna
1956: Ribblesdale Stakes – Milady
1956: Ribblesdale Stakes – Milady