Doug Smith
1955 2,000 Guineas winner My Babu
1955 2,000 Guineas winner My Babu
French Design 1954
French Design 1954
1917 - 1989
1917 - 1989
Douglas Smith was born in at Pondwood Farm, Shotisbrook, near Maidenhead, on Wednesday, November 21st, 1917. He was the son of Ernest Smith who farmed near the old Hawthorn Hill Pony Track in Berkshire. Smith used to ride the two miles to the village school at White Waltham, and was soon out hunting.
Douglas Smith was born in at Pondwood Farm, Shotisbrook, near Maidenhead, on Wednesday, November 21st, 1917. He was the son of Ernest Smith who farmed near the old Hawthorn Hill Pony Track in Berkshire. Smith used to ride the two miles to the village school at White Waltham, and was soon out hunting.
Aged 13 in 1930, he followed his brother Eph and became apprenticed to the formidable Major Sneyd who had stables at Sparsholt, Wantage. The tyrannical Sneyd kept Smith, and the other apprentices, short of food, and provided just coal-holes as their accommodation. He paid each lad just two shillings a week. There could be no harsher taskmaster nor more spartan a regime, yet each lad knew that he worked for one of the greatest teachers of horse-riding ever. Joe Mercer was another product of Sparsholt.
Aged 13 in 1930, he followed his brother Eph and became apprenticed to the formidable Major Sneyd who had stables at Sparsholt, Wantage. The tyrannical Sneyd kept Smith, and the other apprentices, short of food, and provided just coal-holes as their accommodation. He paid each lad just two shillings a week. There could be no harsher taskmaster nor more spartan a regime, yet each lad knew that he worked for one of the greatest teachers of horse-riding ever. Joe Mercer was another product of Sparsholt.
Sneyd also had mighty influence, and it was this which, in 1936, secured Smith a position as lightweight jockey to the powerful stable of Frank Butters. This eventually led to him becoming first jockey to the stable whose patrons included the Aga Khan. Astonishingly, whilst still a teenager, he achieved the distinction of riding a winner on every racecourse in Britain.
Sneyd also had mighty influence, and it was this which, in 1936, secured Smith a position as lightweight jockey to the powerful stable of Frank Butters. This eventually led to him becoming first jockey to the stable whose patrons included the Aga Khan. Astonishingly, whilst still a teenager, he achieved the distinction of riding a winner on every racecourse in Britain.
Smith’s call up during the war into the Royal Army Veterinary Corps complicated his riding arrangements with Butters, eventually bringing to an end their association. Smith was forced to negotiate retainers with others, including King George V1. This, in turn, led to a first Classic winner, Hypericum in the One Thousand Guineas of 1946. He won a second One Thousand on the outstanding filly Petite Etoile and a Two Thousand Guineas on Our Babu.
Smith’s call up during the war into the Royal Army Veterinary Corps complicated his riding arrangements with Butters, eventually bringing to an end their association. Smith was forced to negotiate retainers with others, including King George V1. This, in turn, led to a first Classic winner, Hypericum in the One Thousand Guineas of 1946. He won a second One Thousand on the outstanding filly Petite Etoile and a Two Thousand Guineas on Our Babu.
In 1945 Doug Smith succeeded Harry Wragg as first jockey to Lord Derby’s establishment at Stanley House. (It was Wragg himself who had recommended Smith for the vacancy.) Wearing the famous black, white cap of Lord Rosebery, Smith struck up a marvellous partnership with one of the greatest stayers of modern times, Alycidon, who became the first horse since Isonomy, some 70years earlier, to win the stayers’ triple crown of the Ascot, Goodwood and Doncaster Gold Cups.
In 1945 Doug Smith succeeded Harry Wragg as first jockey to Lord Derby’s establishment at Stanley House. (It was Wragg himself who had recommended Smith for the vacancy.) Wearing the famous black, white cap of Lord Rosebery, Smith struck up a marvellous partnership with one of the greatest stayers of modern times, Alycidon, who became the first horse since Isonomy, some 70years earlier, to win the stayers’ triple crown of the Ascot, Goodwood and Doncaster Gold Cups.
Unquestionably, Smith excelled on stayers, winning the Cesarewitch no fewer than six times. His brother Eph, who predeceased him, also gained four victories in this race. Two other stayers on which Doug Smith excelled were Medway and Supertello.
Unquestionably, Smith excelled on stayers, winning the Cesarewitch no fewer than six times. His brother Eph, who predeceased him, also gained four victories in this race. Two other stayers on which Doug Smith excelled were Medway and Supertello.
Smith first became champion jockey in 1954 when Gordon Richards retired following a bad paddock fall and was champion again on another four occasions. He rode a total of 3,112 winners.
Smith first became champion jockey in 1954 when Gordon Richards retired following a bad paddock fall and was champion again on another four occasions. He rode a total of 3,112 winners.
After quitting the saddle, he began training, his greatest winner being Lord Derby’s Sleeping Partner in the 1969 Oaks.
After quitting the saddle, he began training, his greatest winner being Lord Derby’s Sleeping Partner in the 1969 Oaks.
He married on June 1, 1948. His wife, Patricia Josephine Winter, was the sister of champion National Hunt trainer Fred Winter. They had a son, Michael Douglas, and a daughter, Wendy Ann.
He married on June 1, 1948. His wife, Patricia Josephine Winter, was the sister of champion National Hunt trainer Fred Winter. They had a son, Michael Douglas, and a daughter, Wendy Ann.
Doug enjoyed shooting, tennis and curling, once reaching the final of the St Moritz Curling Club's Jackson Cup.
Doug enjoyed shooting, tennis and curling, once reaching the final of the St Moritz Curling Club's Jackson Cup.
He attended a private lunch with The Queen in November, 1958
He attended a private lunch with The Queen in November, 1958
He had ridden a winner on every flat racecourse in England, Scotland and Wales before he was twenty. By 1959, he had been champion jockey five times. In October 1967 at Yarmouth, Monte Carlo provided him with his 20,000th mount and his 3,107th winner.
He had ridden a winner on every flat racecourse in England, Scotland and Wales before he was twenty. By 1959, he had been champion jockey five times. In October 1967 at Yarmouth, Monte Carlo provided him with his 20,000th mount and his 3,107th winner.
He retired at the end of the 1967 season.
He retired at the end of the 1967 season.
He lived at Fairway, Bury Road, Newmarket.
He lived at Fairway, Bury Road, Newmarket.
Doug's first winner came at Salisbury on May 26, 1932, when he rode Denia into the winner's enclosure. It was the 14-year-old fledgling's fourth ride in public.
Doug's first winner came at Salisbury on May 26, 1932, when he rode Denia into the winner's enclosure. It was the 14-year-old fledgling's fourth ride in public.
On 11 April, 1989, Doug Smith committed suicide, throwing himself into his garden swimming pool.
On 11 April, 1989, Doug Smith committed suicide, throwing himself into his garden swimming pool.
He left £214,644
He left £214,644
Classic winners:
Classic winners:
Two Thousand Guineas: Our Babu (1955), Pall Mall (1958)
Two Thousand Guineas: Our Babu (1955), Pall Mall (1958)
One Thousand Guineas: Hypericum (1946), Petite Etoile (1959)
One Thousand Guineas: Hypericum (1946), Petite Etoile (1959)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1935: Northumberland Plate – Doreen Jane
1935: Northumberland Plate – Doreen Jane
1936: Queen Anne Stakes – Hindu Holiday
1936: Queen Anne Stakes – Hindu Holiday
1937: Lincolnshire Handicap – Marmaduke Jinks
1937: Lincolnshire Handicap – Marmaduke Jinks
1937: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Pherozshah
1937: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Pherozshah
1938: Queen Mary Stakes – Belle Travers
1938: Queen Mary Stakes – Belle Travers
1938: Portland Handicap – The Drummer
1938: Portland Handicap – The Drummer
1939: Hardwicke Stakes – Pointis
1939: Hardwicke Stakes – Pointis
1939: Cesarewitch Handicap – Cantatrice II
1939: Cesarewitch Handicap – Cantatrice II
1941: Coronation Cup – Winterhalter
1941: Coronation Cup – Winterhalter
1941: St James’s Palace Stakes – Orthodox
1941: St James’s Palace Stakes – Orthodox
1942: Dewhurst Stakes – Umiddad
1942: Dewhurst Stakes – Umiddad
1942: Manchester November Handicap – Golden Boy
1942: Manchester November Handicap – Golden Boy
1945: Wokingham Stakes – Portamara
1945: Wokingham Stakes – Portamara
1945: Yorkshire Cup – Kingstone
1945: Yorkshire Cup – Kingstone
1945: Manchester Cup – Diredawa
1945: Manchester Cup – Diredawa
1945: Dewhurst Stakes – Hypericum
1945: Dewhurst Stakes – Hypericum
1946: Jockey Club Stakes – Rising Light
1946: Jockey Club Stakes – Rising Light
1946: Manchester Cup – Diredawa
1946: Manchester Cup – Diredawa
1946: Queen’s Vase – Look Ahead
1946: Queen’s Vase – Look Ahead
1946: Lanark Silver Bell – Kingstone
1946: Lanark Silver Bell – Kingstone
1946: Challenge Stakes – Daily Double
1946: Challenge Stakes – Daily Double
1947: Craven Stakes – Migoli
1947: Craven Stakes – Migoli
1947: Jockey Club Stakes – Esprit de France
1947: Jockey Club Stakes – Esprit de France
1947: Warwickshire Breeders’ Foal Plate – Henley-in-Arden
1947: Warwickshire Breeders’ Foal Plate – Henley-in-Arden
1947: Queen’s Vase – Auralia
1947: Queen’s Vase – Auralia
1947: Old Newton Cup – Auralia
1947: Old Newton Cup – Auralia
1947: Northumberland Plate – Culrain
1947: Northumberland Plate – Culrain
1947: Doncaster Cup – Trimbush
1947: Doncaster Cup – Trimbush
1947: Midland Cesarewitch – Avon Prince
1947: Midland Cesarewitch – Avon Prince
1947: Midland Cambridgeshire – Solfax
1947: Midland Cambridgeshire – Solfax
1948: Jockey Club Stakes – Alycidon
1948: Jockey Club Stakes – Alycidon
1948: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Alycidon
1948: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Alycidon
1948: Goodwood Stakes – Auralia
1948: Goodwood Stakes – Auralia
1948: Doncaster Cup – Auralia
1948: Doncaster Cup – Auralia
1948: Royal Lodge Stakes – Swallow Tail
1948: Royal Lodge Stakes – Swallow Tail
1949: Craven Stakes – Moondust
1949: Craven Stakes – Moondust
1949: Greenham Stakes – Star King
1949: Greenham Stakes – Star King
1949: Jockey Club Stakes – Dust Devil
1949: Jockey Club Stakes – Dust Devil
1949: Chester Vase – Swallow Tail
1949: Chester Vase – Swallow Tail
1949: Ormonde Stakes – Alycidon
1949: Ormonde Stakes – Alycidon
1949: Ascot Gold Cup – Alycidon
1949: Ascot Gold Cup – Alycidon
1949: King Edward VII Stakes – Swallow Tail
1949: King Edward VII Stakes – Swallow Tail
1949: Jersey Stakes – Star King
1949: Jersey Stakes – Star King
1949: Queen’s Vase – Lone Eagle
1949: Queen’s Vase – Lone Eagle
1949: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Dogger Bank
1949: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Dogger Bank
1949: Princes Margaret Stakes – Rose of Torridge
1949: Princes Margaret Stakes – Rose of Torridge
1949: Goodwood Cup – Alycidon
1949: Goodwood Cup – Alycidon
1949: Doncaster Cup – Alycidon
1949: Doncaster Cup – Alycidon
1949: Imperial Stakes – Fluorescent
1949: Imperial Stakes – Fluorescent
1949: Middle Park Stakes – Masked Light
1949: Middle Park Stakes – Masked Light
1950: Chester Vase – Castle Rock
1950: Chester Vase – Castle Rock
1950: Dee Stakes – Khorassan
1950: Dee Stakes – Khorassan
1950: Ascot Gold Cup – Supertello
1950: Ascot Gold Cup – Supertello
1950: Queen Mary Stakes – Rose Linnet
1950: Queen Mary Stakes – Rose Linnet
1950: Doncaster Cup – Aldborough
1950: Doncaster Cup – Aldborough
1950: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Kelling
1950: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Kelling
1950: Challenge Stakes – Bob Cherry
1950: Challenge Stakes – Bob Cherry
1950: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Mossborough
1950: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Mossborough
1951: Old Newton Cup – Saturn
1951: Old Newton Cup – Saturn
1952: Ormonde Stakes – Tulyar
1952: Ormonde Stakes – Tulyar
1952: Winston Churchill Stakes – Flighty Frances
1952: Winston Churchill Stakes – Flighty Frances
1952: King Edward VII Stakes – Castleton
1952: King Edward VII Stakes – Castleton
1952: New (Norfolk) Stakes – Blue Lamp
1952: New (Norfolk) Stakes – Blue Lamp
1952: Ascot Stakes – Flighty Frances
1952: Ascot Stakes – Flighty Frances
1952: Goodwood Cup – Medway
1952: Goodwood Cup – Medway
1952: Nassau Stakes – Hortensia
1952: Nassau Stakes – Hortensia
1952: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Dader
1952: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Dader
1953: Union Stakes (Birmingham) – Rose Coral
1953: Union Stakes (Birmingham) – Rose Coral
1953: Royal Hunt Cup – Choir Boy
1953: Royal Hunt Cup – Choir Boy
1963: Princess Margaret Stakes – Holwood
1963: Princess Margaret Stakes – Holwood
1953: Gordon Stakes – Prince Canaria
1953: Gordon Stakes – Prince Canaria
1953: Diadem Stakes – Rose Coral
1953: Diadem Stakes – Rose Coral
1954: Ormonde Stakes – Stem King
1954: Ormonde Stakes – Stem King
1954: Lingfield Derby Trial – Rowston Manor
1954: Lingfield Derby Trial – Rowston Manor
1954: Midland Breeders’ Stakes – Coronation Scot
1954: Midland Breeders’ Stakes – Coronation Scot
1954: Falmouth Stakes – Sundry
1954: Falmouth Stakes – Sundry
1954: Princess Margaret Stakes – Torbidora
1954: Princess Margaret Stakes – Torbidora
1954: Champagne Stakes – Our Babu
1954: Champagne Stakes – Our Babu
1954: Middle Park Stakes – Our Babu
1954: Middle Park Stakes – Our Babu
1954: Dewhurst Stakes – My Smokey
1954: Dewhurst Stakes – My Smokey
1954: Cesarewitch Handicap – French Design
1954: Cesarewitch Handicap – French Design
1954: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Durante
1954: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Durante
1955: John Porter Stakes – Entente Cordiale
1955: John Porter Stakes – Entente Cordiale
1955: Thirsk Classic Trial – Acropolis
1955: Thirsk Classic Trial – Acropolis
1955: Victoria Cup – Alf’s Caprice
1955: Victoria Cup – Alf’s Caprice
1955: National Stakes – Rustam
1955: National Stakes – Rustam
1955: Guernsey Stud Produce Stakes – La Fresnes
1955: Guernsey Stud Produce Stakes – La Fresnes
1955: Queen Anne Stakes – Golden Planet
1955: Queen Anne Stakes – Golden Planet
1955: New (Norfolk) Stakes – Gratitude
1955: New (Norfolk) Stakes – Gratitude
1955: Ribblesdale Stakes – Ark Royal
1955: Ribblesdale Stakes – Ark Royal
1955: Sussex Stakes – My Kingdom
1955: Sussex Stakes – My Kingdom
1955: Great Voltigeur Stakes – Acropolis
1955: Great Voltigeur Stakes – Acropolis
1955: Gimcrack Stakes – Idle Rocks
1955: Gimcrack Stakes – Idle Rocks
1955: Lowther Stakes – La Fresnes
1955: Lowther Stakes – La Fresnes
1955: Doncaster Cup – Entente Cordiale
1955: Doncaster Cup – Entente Cordiale
1955: Champagne Stakes – Rustam
1955: Champagne Stakes – Rustam
1955: Middle Park Stakes – Buisson Ardent
1955: Middle Park Stakes – Buisson Ardent
1955: Cornwallis Stakes – Roman Conquest
1955: Cornwallis Stakes – Roman Conquest
1955: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Durante
1955: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Durante
1956: John Porter Stakes – Acropolis
1956: John Porter Stakes – Acropolis
1956: City and Suburban Handicap – Great Pacha
1956: City and Suburban Handicap – Great Pacha
1956: Thirsk Hunt Cup – Sonorous
1956: Thirsk Hunt Cup – Sonorous
1956: Midland Breeders’ Stakes – Rustam
1956: Midland Breeders’ Stakes – Rustam
1956: Guernsey Stud Produce Stakes – Seven Up
1956: Guernsey Stud Produce Stakes – Seven Up
1956: Queen Anne Stakes – Kandy Sauce
1956: Queen Anne Stakes – Kandy Sauce
1956: St James’s Palace Stakes – Pirate King
1956: St James’s Palace Stakes – Pirate King
1956: Northumberland Plate – Jardiniere
1956: Northumberland Plate – Jardiniere
1956: Nassau Stakes – Dilettante
1956: Nassau Stakes – Dilettante
1956: Ebor Handicap – Donald
1956: Ebor Handicap – Donald
1956: Challenge Stakes – Coronation Year
1956: Challenge Stakes – Coronation Year
1957: City and Suburban Handicap – Coronation Year
1957: City and Suburban Handicap – Coronation Year
1957: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Wake Up!
1957: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Wake Up!
1957: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Munch
1957: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Munch
1957: King George V Stakes – Refined
1957: King George V Stakes – Refined
1957: Gimcrack Stakes – Pheidippides
1957: Gimcrack Stakes – Pheidippides
1957: Portland Handicap – Refined
1957: Portland Handicap – Refined
1957: Imperial Stakes – Fluorescent
1957: Imperial Stakes – Fluorescent
1957: Cesarewitch Handicap – Sandiacre
1957: Cesarewitch Handicap – Sandiacre
1958: Jockey Club Stakes – All Serene
1958: Jockey Club Stakes – All Serene
1958: Shakespeare Stakes (Birmingham) – Midlander
1958: Shakespeare Stakes (Birmingham) – Midlander
1958: New (Norfolk) Stakes – Masham
1958: New (Norfolk) Stakes – Masham
1958: Falmouth Stakes – Court One
1958: Falmouth Stakes – Court One
1958: Hungerford Stakes – Lovestone
1958: Hungerford Stakes – Lovestone
1958: Middle Park Stakes – Masham
1958: Middle Park Stakes – Masham
1959: National Stakes – Sing Sing
1959: National Stakes – Sing Sing
1959: Lancashire Oaks – Noble Lassie
1959: Lancashire Oaks – Noble Lassie
1959: Gordon Stakes – Above Suspicion
1959: Gordon Stakes – Above Suspicion
1959: Goodwood Cup – Dickens
1959: Goodwood Cup – Dickens
1959: Doncaster Cup – Agreement
1959: Doncaster Cup – Agreement
1959: Cornwallis Stakes – Sing Sing
1959: Cornwallis Stakes – Sing Sing
1959: Cesarewitch Handicap – Come to Daddy
1959: Cesarewitch Handicap – Come to Daddy
1959: Midland Cambridgeshire – Gold Miner
1959: Midland Cambridgeshire – Gold Miner
1960: Great Jubilee Handicap – Rocky Royale
1960: Great Jubilee Handicap – Rocky Royale
1960: Lingfield Derby Trial – Jet Stream
1960: Lingfield Derby Trial – Jet Stream
1959: Lancashire Oaks – Noble Lassie
1959: Lancashire Oaks – Noble Lassie
1960: Lancashire Oaks – Chota Hazzi
1960: Lancashire Oaks – Chota Hazzi
1960: Cesarewitch Handicap – Alcove
1960: Cesarewitch Handicap – Alcove
1961: Nell Gwyn Stakes – Verbena
1961: Nell Gwyn Stakes – Verbena
1961: Greenham Stakes – Primus
1961: Greenham Stakes – Primus
1961: Queen Anne Stakes – Amber Light
1961: Queen Anne Stakes – Amber Light
1961: St James’s Palace Stakes – Tudor Treasure
1961: St James’s Palace Stakes – Tudor Treasure
1961: Coventry Stakes – Xerxes
1961: Coventry Stakes – Xerxes
1961: Queen Mary Stakes – My Dream
1961: Queen Mary Stakes – My Dream
1961: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Bun Penny
1961: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Bun Penny
1961: Lancashire Oaks – Iristable
1961: Lancashire Oaks – Iristable
1961: Goodwood Stakes – Alcove
1961: Goodwood Stakes – Alcove
1961: Horris Hill Stakes – Valentine
1961: Horris Hill Stakes – Valentine
1962: Midland Breeders’ Stakes - Valentine
1962: Midland Breeders’ Stakes - Valentine
1962: Coventry Stakes – Crocket
1962: Coventry Stakes – Crocket
1962: Jersey Stakes – Catchpole
1962: Jersey Stakes – Catchpole
1962: Queen Mary Stakes – Shot Silk
1962: Queen Mary Stakes – Shot Silk
1962: Lancashire Oaks – French Cream
1962: Lancashire Oaks – French Cream
1962: Gimcrack Stakes – Crocket
1962: Gimcrack Stakes – Crocket
1963: Craven Stakes – Crocket
1963: Craven Stakes – Crocket
1963: Palace House Stakes – Sammy Davis
1963: Palace House Stakes – Sammy Davis
1963: Yorkshire Cup – Honour Bound
1963: Yorkshire Cup – Honour Bound
1963: Midland Breeders’ Stakes – Crevette
1963: Midland Breeders’ Stakes – Crevette
1963: St James’s Palace Stakes – Crocket
1963: St James’s Palace Stakes – Crocket
1963: Coventry Stakes – Showdown
1963: Coventry Stakes – Showdown
1963: Falmouth Stakes – Crevette
1963: Falmouth Stakes – Crevette
1963: Hungerford Stakes – Dunce Cap
1963: Hungerford Stakes – Dunce Cap
1963: Doncaster Cup – Raise You Ten
1963: Doncaster Cup – Raise You Ten
1963: Diadem Stakes – Sammy Davis
1963: Diadem Stakes – Sammy Davis
1963: Middle Park Stakes – Showdown
1963: Middle Park Stakes – Showdown
1964: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Beaufront
1964: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Beaufront
1964: Royal Hunt Cup – Zaleucus
1964: Royal Hunt Cup – Zaleucus
1964: News of the World Handicap – French Possession
1964: News of the World Handicap – French Possession
1964: Ebor Handicap – Proper Pride
1964: Ebor Handicap – Proper Pride
1964: Princess Royal Stakes – French Possession
1964: Princess Royal Stakes – French Possession
1964: November Handicap – Osier
1964: November Handicap – Osier
1965: Dee Stakes – Look Sharp
1965: Dee Stakes – Look Sharp
1965: Queen Anne Stakes – Showdown
1965: Queen Anne Stakes – Showdown
1965: Portland Handicap – Go Shell
1965: Portland Handicap – Go Shell
1966: Sandown Classic Trial – Mehari
1966: Sandown Classic Trial – Mehari
1966: Jockey Club Stakes – Alcalde
1966: Jockey Club Stakes – Alcalde
1966: Lancashire Oaks – Royal Flirt
1966: Lancashire Oaks – Royal Flirt
1966: Dewhurst Stakes – Dart Board
1966: Dewhurst Stakes – Dart Board
1966: Cesarewitch Handicap – Persian Lancer
1966: Cesarewitch Handicap – Persian Lancer
1967: Wokingham Stakes – Spaniard’s Mount
1967: Wokingham Stakes – Spaniard’s Mount
In France
In France
1967: Prix Kergorlay – Mehari
1967: Prix Kergorlay – Mehari