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John Smith
John Smith
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
John Paul Smith was a conditional jockey, initially with Jenny Pitman and then with Nicky Henderson. He may have only ridden two winners, both in bumpers, but they were among the best horses of their generation.
John Paul Smith was a conditional jockey, initially with Jenny Pitman and then with Nicky Henderson. He may have only ridden two winners, both in bumpers, but they were among the best horses of their generation.
His first ride was on Abba Lad, unplaced in a field of 28 for the Amateur Riders Association N.H. Flat Race at Cheltenham on April 17, 1986.
His first ride was on Abba Lad, unplaced in a field of 28 for the Amateur Riders Association N.H. Flat Race at Cheltenham on April 17, 1986.
It was at Kempton Park on February 28, 1987 that he scored for the first time when Garrison Savannah, trained by Mrs Pitman, was pushed out to land the Bourne Leisure Group N.H. Flat Race, beating stable companion Saddler’s Night by three-quarters of a length. It was the four-year-old’s first start under rules. Four years later Garrison Savannah would go on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and finish a gallant second in the Grand National.
It was at Kempton Park on February 28, 1987 that he scored for the first time when Garrison Savannah, trained by Mrs Pitman, was pushed out to land the Bourne Leisure Group N.H. Flat Race, beating stable companion Saddler’s Night by three-quarters of a length. It was the four-year-old’s first start under rules. Four years later Garrison Savannah would go on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and finish a gallant second in the Grand National.
John kept the ride on Garrison Savannah for one more outing, finishing fourth at Newbury.
John kept the ride on Garrison Savannah for one more outing, finishing fourth at Newbury.
His second, and final, success was in Division 1 of the same race in which he had made his race-riding debut two years earlier, the Amateur Riders Association N.H. Flat Race at Cheltenham. So it was on April 21, 1988 that Remittance Man, trained by Nicky Henderson, took the lead with a furlong to go and held off the strong challenge of Rowlandson Diamond to win by a neck.
His second, and final, success was in Division 1 of the same race in which he had made his race-riding debut two years earlier, the Amateur Riders Association N.H. Flat Race at Cheltenham. So it was on April 21, 1988 that Remittance Man, trained by Nicky Henderson, took the lead with a furlong to go and held off the strong challenge of Rowlandson Diamond to win by a neck.
Again, John had won on a horse making his debut under rules, but this time he had no further opportunities on him. Remittance Man went on to win 15 more races including the 1991 Arkle Challenge Trophy and the 1992 Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
Again, John had won on a horse making his debut under rules, but this time he had no further opportunities on him. Remittance Man went on to win 15 more races including the 1991 Arkle Challenge Trophy and the 1992 Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
John Smith's first winner, Garrison Savannah
Remittance Man, John Smith's second winner
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