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Charlie Smithers
Charlie Smithers
c1922-1994
c1922-1994
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Charles Patrick Smithers, known as Charlie, spent most of his career as work rider and head lad to leading National Hunt trainer George Beeby, and many of his 18 winners were trained by him. Although he had a licence to ride on the Flat for some years after World War II, all of his victories were under NH rules.
Charles Patrick Smithers, known as Charlie, spent most of his career as work rider and head lad to leading National Hunt trainer George Beeby, and many of his 18 winners were trained by him. Although he had a licence to ride on the Flat for some years after World War II, all of his victories were under NH rules.
Born in 1922 or 1923, he had his first ride when Flag Of Orange finished unplaced in the Yuletide Maiden Hurdle at Birmingham on December 13, 1946. Three months later he celebrated his first success when Randalstown, trained by George Beeby, drew clear of Slieve Ruadh on the run-in to land the Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) by two lengths.
Born in 1922 or 1923, he had his first ride when Flag Of Orange finished unplaced in the Yuletide Maiden Hurdle at Birmingham on December 13, 1946. Three months later he celebrated his first success when Randalstown, trained by George Beeby, drew clear of Slieve Ruadh on the run-in to land the Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) by two lengths.
Wins after that did not come quickly, but he rode at least one in each of the next six seasons, achieving a career best tally of six for the 1948/49 campaign. His successes included the Wye Centenary Cup in 1949, celebrating 100 years since that East Kent course had staged its first meeting. His mount, Bengoram, led from the start and held off Killtern to win by a length and a half.
Wins after that did not come quickly, but he rode at least one in each of the next six seasons, achieving a career best tally of six for the 1948/49 campaign. His successes included the Wye Centenary Cup in 1949, celebrating 100 years since that East Kent course had staged its first meeting. His mount, Bengoram, led from the start and held off Killtern to win by a length and a half.
Charlie had two rides in the Welsh Grand National. His first, Transour, was a faller in 1950, but a year later he came close to winning when 10-1 chance Fighting Line, who had won the race in 1949, was overhauled on the run-in and beaten a head by Arthur Thompson on the 7-2 favourite Skyreholme. However, many racegoers thought that Fighting Line should have been judged the winner, so close was the finish.
Charlie had two rides in the Welsh Grand National. His first, Transour, was a faller in 1950, but a year later he came close to winning when 10-1 chance Fighting Line, who had won the race in 1949, was overhauled on the run-in and beaten a head by Arthur Thompson on the 7-2 favourite Skyreholme. However, many racegoers thought that Fighting Line should have been judged the winner, so close was the finish.
His last win was perhaps his most important, when Fighting Line landed the Lord Stalbridge Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Wincanton on January 10, 1952. The 13-year-old veteran, trained by Ken Cundell, took the lead at the last fence and ran on well to beat Kelek by three lengths.
His last win was perhaps his most important, when Fighting Line landed the Lord Stalbridge Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Wincanton on January 10, 1952. The 13-year-old veteran, trained by Ken Cundell, took the lead at the last fence and ran on well to beat Kelek by three lengths.
He had his final ride when second on Sebastian in the Moderate Hurdle (Division 2) at Worcester on March 21, 1955, beaten a neck by Rex Hamey on Alpine Eagle.
He had his final ride when second on Sebastian in the Moderate Hurdle (Division 2) at Worcester on March 21, 1955, beaten a neck by Rex Hamey on Alpine Eagle.
Charlie Smithers died in 1994. His winners were, in chronological order.
Charlie Smithers died in 1994. His winners were, in chronological order.
1. Randalstown, Wincanton, March 20, 1947
1. Randalstown, Wincanton, March 20, 1947
2. King Bird, Plumpton, April 7, 1947
2. King Bird, Plumpton, April 7, 1947
3. Epigraph, Cheltenham, November 21, 1947
3. Epigraph, Cheltenham, November 21, 1947
4. Brady’s Hill, Birmingham, January 20, 1948
4. Brady’s Hill, Birmingham, January 20, 1948
5. Blue Tor, Kempton Park, February 28, 1948
5. Blue Tor, Kempton Park, February 28, 1948
6. Fergus, Wincanton, March 29, 1948
6. Fergus, Wincanton, March 29, 1948
7. Charlie Gardiner, Wye, April 26, 1948
7. Charlie Gardiner, Wye, April 26, 1948
8. Rosetl, Birmingham, November 23, 1948
8. Rosetl, Birmingham, November 23, 1948
9. Rostel, Kempton Park, December 28, 1948
9. Rostel, Kempton Park, December 28, 1948
10, Fighting Line, Fontwell Park, February 10, 1949
10, Fighting Line, Fontwell Park, February 10, 1949
11. Zeus II, Ludlow, March 2, 1949
11. Zeus II, Ludlow, March 2, 1949
12. Bengoram, Wye, May 9, 1949
12. Bengoram, Wye, May 9, 1949
13. Bengoram, Hereford, May 12, 1949
13. Bengoram, Hereford, May 12, 1949
14. Luska, Manchester, April 10, 1950
14. Luska, Manchester, April 10, 1950
15. Damocles, Taunton, September 30, 1950
15. Damocles, Taunton, September 30, 1950
16. Fighting Line, Wincanton, May 3, 1951
16. Fighting Line, Wincanton, May 3, 1951
17. Cabalistic II, Kempton Park, November 22, 1951
17. Cabalistic II, Kempton Park, November 22, 1951
18. Fighting Line, Wincanton, January 10, 1952
18. Fighting Line, Wincanton, January 10, 1952
Charlie's Centenary Cup win in 1949
Charlie's final winner, Fighting Line
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