Harold Smith
Harold Smith
Harold Smith
Harold Smith was initially apprenticed to Stanley James, private trainer to the mercurial owner Major Lionel Holliday, based at La Grange Stables in Newmarket. Major Holliday’s colours of white with maroon hoop, armlets and cap were among the best-known during the 1950s and 60s.
Harold Smith was initially apprenticed to Stanley James, private trainer to the mercurial owner Major Lionel Holliday, based at La Grange Stables in Newmarket. Major Holliday’s colours of white with maroon hoop, armlets and cap were among the best-known during the 1950s and 60s.
In 1963 Harold partnered Major Holliday’s popular veteran handicapper Badmash in eight races. The combination won four, was second once and fourth twice.
In 1963 Harold partnered Major Holliday’s popular veteran handicapper Badmash in eight races. The combination won four, was second once and fourth twice.
By 1964, Major Holliday had sacked Stanley James – one of many such trainers who didn’t last long with him – and installed Walter Wharton as his new trainer at La Grange. Harold continued his apprenticeship there.
By 1964, Major Holliday had sacked Stanley James – one of many such trainers who didn’t last long with him – and installed Walter Wharton as his new trainer at La Grange. Harold continued his apprenticeship there.
Wharton succeeded in training a classic winner for Major Holliday when Night Off won the 1965 One Thousand Guineas. By then, what had been a promising start to Harold’s career had stalled and he had ridden no more winners since those four on Badmash.
Wharton succeeded in training a classic winner for Major Holliday when Night Off won the 1965 One Thousand Guineas. By then, what had been a promising start to Harold’s career had stalled and he had ridden no more winners since those four on Badmash.
In June 1966 Harold married Linda Bogg in Barnsley, and at the same time his two brothers married Linda’s two sisters.
In June 1966 Harold married Linda Bogg in Barnsley, and at the same time his two brothers married Linda’s two sisters.
In search of further opportunities, Harold moved north to Scotland and continued his apprenticeship with Harry Whiteman at Cree Lodge in Ayr. He rode one winner for his new master, making all to land a mile and a quarter handicap at Ayr on Flight Master on June 8, 1968, almost five years after his last win on Badmash.
In search of further opportunities, Harold moved north to Scotland and continued his apprenticeship with Harry Whiteman at Cree Lodge in Ayr. He rode one winner for his new master, making all to land a mile and a quarter handicap at Ayr on Flight Master on June 8, 1968, almost five years after his last win on Badmash.
Nigel Angus succeeded Whiteman at Cree Lodge the following year, by which time Harold’s weight had soared from 6st 7lb to 8st 2lb, which pretty much marked the end of career on the Flat when he completed his apprenticeship later that year.
Nigel Angus succeeded Whiteman at Cree Lodge the following year, by which time Harold’s weight had soared from 6st 7lb to 8st 2lb, which pretty much marked the end of career on the Flat when he completed his apprenticeship later that year.
He did, though, have a few rides over jumps, the first of which was a winner. He steered Saronis to victory in the Ochiltree Selling Handicap Ayr on January 3, 1970. Trained by Nigel Angus, it was the nine-year-old’s first run over hurdles since March 1968, but he ran on well to beat Seafield Boy by a length.
He did, though, have a few rides over jumps, the first of which was a winner. He steered Saronis to victory in the Ochiltree Selling Handicap Ayr on January 3, 1970. Trained by Nigel Angus, it was the nine-year-old’s first run over hurdles since March 1968, but he ran on well to beat Seafield Boy by a length.
Harold partnered Saronis on his only other start that season, when they were brought down at Wetherby on Easter Monday. He then rode the gelding on all his three races the following season, but they were not placed. The last of them, the Earlston Opportunity Selling Hurdle at Kelso on December 15, 1970, was the final race for both horse and jockey.
Harold partnered Saronis on his only other start that season, when they were brought down at Wetherby on Easter Monday. He then rode the gelding on all his three races the following season, but they were not placed. The last of them, the Earlston Opportunity Selling Hurdle at Kelso on December 15, 1970, was the final race for both horse and jockey.
Harold Smith’s winners were, in chronological order
Harold Smith’s winners were, in chronological order
1. Badmash, Thirsk, April 20, 1963
1. Badmash, Thirsk, April 20, 1963
2. Badmash, Doncaster, June 28, 1963
2. Badmash, Doncaster, June 28, 1963
3. Badmash, Manchester, July 13, 1963
3. Badmash, Manchester, July 13, 1963
4. Badmash, Thirsk, September 21, 1963
4. Badmash, Thirsk, September 21, 1963
5. Flight Master, Ayr, June 8, 1968
5. Flight Master, Ayr, June 8, 1968
6. Saronis, Ayr, January 3, 1970
6. Saronis, Ayr, January 3, 1970