Eph Smith

1915 - 1972

Eric Eph Smith, born on May 4, 1915, was the son Ernest Smith, a renowned point-to-point rider who farmed at Shottesbrook, near Maidenhead. It was here that he, and his two brothers, Charles and Douglas, were born, and were taught by their father to ride. Charles would go on to be one of the most successful point-to-point riders in the South of England while Douglas would become the British Champion jockey on no less than five occasions Eph Smith needed no persuasion in 1929 to become an apprentice at the Sparsholt stables of the formidable Major Sneyd where many famous jockeys, including future champion Joe Mercer, had received their early tuition. 

Eph rode his first winner on August 15th 1930 aboard Red Queen at Windsor, beating Gordon Richards on Seregevo by a short head.

He stayed at Sparsholt until 1936 when leaving to become first jockey to Sir Jack Jarvis, a partnership that was to last 15 years and provide him with two classic wins on Lord Rosebery’s Blue Peter, the best horse he ever rode. He also rode three Lincoln winners for Jarvis: Flamenco (1935), Phakos (1938) and Fair Judgment (1949). 

Eph had desperate luck in the 1943 Oaks, riding Ribbon. As the tapes rose, another filly, Noontide, swerved right across her, leaving Ribbon facing the wrong way. The situation appeared hopeless until Eph's filly began to run on in the closing stages. Eventually, she was beaten just a neck by Why Hurry.

Ribbon's trainer, Jack Jarvis, went to his grave declaring that Ribbon had been robbed.

Eph was also unlucky in that year's St Leger: Ribbon had a terribly rough passage being bumped and barged around all over the place, yet Eph still got her up on the line to win by a short head.  Or so he - and just about everyone else on the course - thought. However, the judge, Major Petch, saw it differently, ad called Herringbone the winner.

It was in 1949 that he was retained by Mr H.J.Joel, among whose many good horses were included Predominate, a popular handicapper four times successful at Goodwood, the miler Major Portion and Ragusa. Other good wins on Predominate came in the 1961 Goodwood Cup and the Queen Alexandra Stakes of 1960.                           

Eph often rode in the royal colours for the Queen’s trainer Captain Cecil Boyd Rochfort and won the King George at Ascot on Aureole in 1964. For King George Vl he won the Cesarewitch and Yorkshire Oaks on Above Board in 1950. Eph’s third and last classic win came on Premonition in the St Leger, 1953.

Eph Smith suffered from deafness and was obliged to wear a hearing aid. When the Queen’s horse Aureole suffered some minor eye problem, Eph joked to her before mounting that a blind horse and a deaf jockey would do well to win. In the event, Aureole threw Eph on the way to the start but they went on to win the day’s big race by three-quarters of a length.

In 1965, ill health caused Eph to retire earlier than he would have liked: he filled his days riding out work for Noel Murless. He had ridden for 35 years and had amassed 2,313 winners.

Throughout his life he spoke with the accent of a Berkshire farmer and was blunt to the point of indiscretion, a trait which cost him the friendship of many owners and trainers who preferred more diplomatic riders.

On Saturday 12th August 1972, Eph Smith’s body was discovered in a brook near Newmarket. No reasonable explanation was found and a verdict of misadventure was recorded. Years later, his younger brother Douglas committed suicide by throwing himself into the family swimming pool.

In life, Eph Smith was always very careful with his money and reluctant to spend a penny more than necessary. In death, he left £141,798

Classic winners:

Derby: Blue Peter (1939)

Two Thousand Guineas: Blue Peter (1939)

St Leger: Premonition (1953)

Other big winners:

1932: Great Metropolitan Handicap – Roi de Paris 

1933: King Edward VII Stakes – Sans Peine 

1933: Windsor Castle Stakes – Campanula 

1933: Goodwood Cup – Sans Peine 

1934: Free Handicap – Phaleron 

1934: Salford Borough Handicap – Sudan 

1934: Queen Anne Stakes – Spend a Penny 

1934: Northumberland Plate – Whiteplains 

1934: Bibury Cup – Norman Herald 

1934: Ayrshire Handicap – Norman Herald 

1934: Manchester November Handicap – Pip Emma 

1935: Lincolnshire Handicap – Flamenco

1935: Free Handicap – Tewkesbury 

1935: Wokingham Stakes – Theio 

1935: July Stakes – Daytona 

1935: Welsh Derby – Bideford Bay 

1935: Gordon Stakes – Bideford Bay

1935: Cesarewitch Handicap – Near Relation 

1936: Great Metropolitan Handicap – Jack Tar

1936: Esher Cup – Silver Crest 

1936: Britannia Stakes – Edgehill

1936: Windsor Castle Stakes – The Hour 

1936: Northumberland Plate – Coup de Roi 

1936: Stewards Cup – Solerina

1936: Newbury Autumn Cup – Coup de Roi 

1937: Coronation Stakes – Gainsborough Lass

1937: Ascot Gold Vase – Fearless Fox 

1937: Gosforth Park Cup – Harmachis 

1937: Goodwood Cup – Fearless Fox 

1937: Edinburgh Gold Cup – Edgehill 

1937: Dewhurst Stakes – Manorite 

1937: Liverpool St Leger – Dharampur 

1938: Lincolnshire Handicap – Phakos 

1938: Craven Stakes – Challenge 

1938: Blue Riband Trial Stakes – Chatsworth

1938: Victoria Cup – Phakos 

1938: Ascot Stakes – Prawn 

1938: Challenge Stakes – Old Reliance 

1939: Churchill Stakes – Inscribe

1938: Goodwood Stakes – Snake Lightning 

1938: Chesterfield Cup – Pylon II 

1938: Scottish Derby – Faerie Queen 

1938: Ayr Gold Cup – Old Reliance 

1938: Jockey Club Stakes – Challenge 

1938: Newmarket St Leger – Flyon 

1938: Newmarket Oaks – Faerie Queen 

1938: Challenge Stakes – Old Reliance 

1938: Liverpool St Leger – Flyon 

1939: Blue Riband Trial Stakes – Blue Peter

1939: White Rose Stakes – Hunter’s Moon

1939: Newbury Summer Cup – Tout Change 

1939: St James’s Palace Stakes – Admiral’s Walk 

1939: Ascot Gold Cup – Flyon 

1939: Bessborough Stakes – Alistair 

1939: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Old Reliance 

1939: Eclipse Stakes – Blue Peter

1939: Manchester November Handicap – Tutor 

1940: Champion Stakes – Hippius 

1941: White Rose Stakes – Hippius 

1941: Nottingham Stewards Handicap – Zaitor

1941: Edinburgh Gold Cup – Congratulations 

1941: Champion Stakes – Hippius 

1942: Nunthorpe Stakes – Linklator 

1942: Middle Park Stakes – Ribbon 

1942: Jockey Club Cup – Afterthought 

1943: Coronation Cup – Hyperides 

1943: Nunthorpe Stakes – Linklater 

1944: Free Handicap – Roadhouse 

1944: Jockey Club Cup – Ocean Swell 

1945: Prince of Wales’s Stakes – Eastern Imp

1945: Ascot Gold Cup – Ocean Swell 

1945: July Cup – Honeyway 

1945: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Stirling Castle 

1945: Challenge Stakes – Royal Charger 

1946: City and Suburban Handicap – Hobo 

1946: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Iona 

1946: Victoria Cup – Honeyway 

1946: Yorkshire Cup – Stirling Castle

1946: Queen Anne Stakes – Royal Charger 

1946: Ascot Stakes – Reynard Volant 

1946: Royal Hunt Cup – Friar’s Fancy 

1946: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Honeyway 

1946: Rous Memorial Stakes – Hobo

1946: July Stakes – Miss Stripes 

1946: Bibury Cup – Bristol Fashion 

1946: Goodwood Stakes – Reynard Volant 

1946: Nassau Stakes – Wayward Belle

1946: Brighton Cup – Head Worker 

1946: Ayr Gold Cup – Royal Charger 

1946: Brown Jack Stakes – Acceleration 

1946: Champion Stakes – Honeyway 

1946: Midland Cesarewitch – Lady Crusader 

1947: Free Handicap – Highland Laddie

1947: Ascot Stakes – Reynard Volant 

1947: Bibury Cup – Bridal Path

1947: Falmouth Stakes – Mermaid

1947: Liverpool Summer Cup – Swiss Flower

1947: Brighton Cup – Head Worker 

1947: Lanark Silver Bell – Parhelion 

1948: City and Suburban Handicap – Fast Soap 

1948: Esher Cup – Asman Tara 

1948: Midland Breeders’ Stakes – Jacket

1948: July Cup – Palm Vista 

1948: Stewards Cup – Dramatic 

1948: Liverpool Summer Cup – Fighter Command 

1948: Lanark Silver Bell – Parhelion 

1948: Champion Stakes – Solar Slipper 

1948: Midland Cambridgeshire – Wisley 

1949: Lincolnshire Handicap – Fair Judgement

1949: Esher Cup – Spy Legend 

1949: Rose of York Stakes – Sterope 

1949: Park Hill Stakes – Sea idol 

1949: Cesarewitch Handicap – Strathspey 

1950: Rosebery Handicap – Roman Way

1950: One Thousand Guineas Trial Stakes (Kempton) – Sanlinea 

1950: Thirsk Classic Trial – Masked Light 

1950: Lancashire Oaks – Ditch Clover

1950: Manchester Cup – Lake Placid

1950: King George V Handicap – Coastal Wave

1950: King’s Stand Stakes – Tangle

1950: Yorkshire Oaks – Above Board 

1950: Cesarewitch Handicap – Above Board

1951: Queen’s Vase – Faux Pas 

1951: Falmouth Stakes – Red Shoes 

1952: King George V Handicap – Giuliano 

1952: July Cup – Set Fair

1952: Falmouth Stakes – Queen of Light 

1952: Great Yorkshire Handicap – Giuliano 

1952: Diadem Stakes – Set Fair

1952: Liverpool Autumn Cup – King Cardinal 

1953: Royal Stakes – Mountain King

1953: Coronation Festival Stakes (Birmingham) – Set Fair

1953: Chesham Stakes – High Treason 

1953: Windsor Castle Stakes – King’s Evidence 

1953: Cumberland Lodge Stakes – Aureole 

1954: Royal Stakes – Taw Valley 

1954: Coronation Cup – Aureole 

1954: Queen’s Vase – Prescription 

1954: Hardwicke Stakes – Aureole 

1954: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Woodcut 

1954: King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes – Aureole 

1954: Gordon Stakes – Brilliant Green 

1954: Jockey Club Stakes – Brilliant Green 

1954: Solario Stakes – North Cone 

1954: Midland Cesarewitch – Windless 

1955: Ormonde Stakes – North Cone 

1955: Britannia Stakes – Cronus 

1955: Rose of York Stakes – Darius 

1955: Midland Cambridgeshire – Opera Score

1956: City of Birmingham Cup – Trent Bridge

1956: Lancashire Oaks – Hustle 

1956: Stewards Cup – Matador 

1956: Stanley Ford Stakes – Matador 

1956: Union Stakes – Matador

1956: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Loppylugs 

1957: Dee Stakes – Palor 

1957: Lancashire Oaks – Lobelia 

1957: Coventry Stakes – Amerigo 

1957: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Matador 

1957: Chesham Stakes – Major Portion 

1957: Richmond Stakes – Promulgation 

1957: National Stakes – Promulgation 

1957: Middle Park Stakes – Major Portion 

1958: Free Handicap – Faultless Speech 

1958: Rosebery Memorial Handicap – Lucky White Heather

1958: St James’s Palace Stakes – Major Portion 

1958: Goodwood Stakes – Predominate 

1958: Sussex Stakes – Major Portion 

1958: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – Major Portion

1968: Horris Hill Stakes – Seascape 

1958: Midland Cambridgeshire – Small Slam

1959: Guernsey Stud Produce Stakes – Tudor Court 

1959: Winston Churchill Stakes – Rugosa 

1959: Ascot Stakes – Rugosa

1959: Britannia Stakes – Macquario

1959: Rous Memorial Stakes – Pinicola

1959: Falmouth Stakes – Crystal Palace

1959: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Panga 

1959: Molecomb Stakes – Queensberry 

1959: Goodwood Stakes – Predominate 

1959: Nassau Stakes – Crystal Palace 

1959: Lowther Stakes – Queensberry 

1959: Park Hill Stakes – Collyria 

1959: Rufford Abbey Handicap – Predominate 

1959: Cheveley Park Stakes – Queensferry

1959: Dewhurst Stakes – Ancient Lights 

1960: One Thousand Guineas Trial Stakes (Kempton) – Queensferry 

1960: Jersey Stakes – Red Gauntlet

1960: Queen Alexandra Stakes – Predominate 

1960: Goodwood Stakes – Predominate 

1960: Horris Hill Stakes – Gallant Knight 

1961: Newbury Spring Cup – Zanzibar 

1961: Dante Stakes – Gallant Knight 

1961: Goodwood Cup – Predominate 

1961: Rose of York Stakes – Zanzibar

1961: Solario Stakes – Hidden Meaning 

1961: Cesarewitch Handicap – Avon’s Pride

1962: Nell Gwyn Stakes – West Side Story

1962: Queen’s Prize – Minute Gun

1962: One Thousand Guineas Trial (Kempton) – Hidden Meaning 

1962: Great Metropolitan Handicap – Narratus

1962: Cheshire Oaks – Tropic Star 

1962: Festival Stakes (Birmingham) – Spring Wheat 

1962: St James’s Palace Stakes – Court Sentence

1962: Windsor Castle Stakes – Summer Day

1962: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Silver Cloud

1962: Yorkshire Oaks – West Side Story

1962: Great Yorkshire Handicap – Illuminous 

1962: Royal Lodge Stakes – Star Moss

1962: Cheveley Park Stakes – My Goodness Me 

1962: Middle Park Stakes – Crocket 

1963: John Porter Stakes – Peter Jones

1963: Rous Memorial Stakes – Fair Astronomer

1963: Ripon St Leger Trial – Star Moss

1963: Yorkshire Oaks – Outcrop 

1963: Galtres Stakes – Turf 

1963: Park Hill Stakes – Outcrop

1963: Brighton Autumn Cup – Osier 

1964: Midlands Spring Handicap – Mandamus 

1964: Royal Stakes (Sandown) – Oncidium 

1964: Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes – Oncidium 

1964: Great Yorkshire Handicap – Philemon 

1965: Pretty Polly Stakes – Miba

1965: Duke of Edinburgh Stakes – Persian Empire