Matthew Smith
National Hunt jockey Matthew Smith rode a total of 28 winners, mostly during the early 1920s, only once achieving a double-figure score for a season.
National Hunt jockey Matthew Smith rode a total of 28 winners, mostly during the early 1920s, only once achieving a double-figure score for a season.
He made his debut in the Stayers’ Chase at Birmingham on 13 January 1914, finishing last of five runners on Blacksmith II. He rode his first winner at Cheltenham on Boxing Day that same year. Having finished third on Chetwoode in a handicap hurdle earlier on the card, he then steered Hackler’s Bay to a three-length victory in the Charlton Handicap Chase.
He made his debut in the Stayers’ Chase at Birmingham on 13 January 1914, finishing last of five runners on Blacksmith II. He rode his first winner at Cheltenham on Boxing Day that same year. Having finished third on Chetwoode in a handicap hurdle earlier on the card, he then steered Hackler’s Bay to a three-length victory in the Charlton Handicap Chase.
By then, Britain was embroiled in the First World War, and although Matthew won two races in 1915, it was not until 1920 that was able to resurrect his career, riding two winners that year.
By then, Britain was embroiled in the First World War, and although Matthew won two races in 1915, it was not until 1920 that was able to resurrect his career, riding two winners that year.
He won seven races in 1921, then recorded a career-best telly of ten in 1922. They included two doubles in April, the first at Cardiff on Easter Monday on Media in the Easter Selling Handicap Chase and Northbrook in the Stewards’ Hunters’ Handicap Chase. The second double was achieved just four days later (21 April) at Newport on Media in Risca Selling Handicap Chase and Ladomine in the High Sheriff’s Handicap Chase. He won for a third time on Media five days later at Worcester in the Bromsgrove Selling Handicap Chase.
He won seven races in 1921, then recorded a career-best telly of ten in 1922. They included two doubles in April, the first at Cardiff on Easter Monday on Media in the Easter Selling Handicap Chase and Northbrook in the Stewards’ Hunters’ Handicap Chase. The second double was achieved just four days later (21 April) at Newport on Media in Risca Selling Handicap Chase and Ladomine in the High Sheriff’s Handicap Chase. He won for a third time on Media five days later at Worcester in the Bromsgrove Selling Handicap Chase.
Matthew rode in three races over the Grand National fences, completing the course in sixth place on White Cockade in the 1920 Valentine Chase but falling on both Landsteel in the 1920 Stanley Chase and King’s Favourite in the 1922 Becher Chase. He also rode in the valuable Lancashire Chase at Manchester in 1924, coming home in ninth place on Ardeen.
Matthew rode in three races over the Grand National fences, completing the course in sixth place on White Cockade in the 1920 Valentine Chase but falling on both Landsteel in the 1920 Stanley Chase and King’s Favourite in the 1922 Becher Chase. He also rode in the valuable Lancashire Chase at Manchester in 1924, coming home in ninth place on Ardeen.
He was quickly off the mark for the 1926/27 campaign, winning a handicap hurdle on Counter Proposition at Newton Abbot on 3 August, the second day of the season, although it took the stewards to intervene and award him the race, having discovered that the horse who was first past the post had not been qualified to run.
He was quickly off the mark for the 1926/27 campaign, winning a handicap hurdle on Counter Proposition at Newton Abbot on 3 August, the second day of the season, although it took the stewards to intervene and award him the race, having discovered that the horse who was first past the post had not been qualified to run.
He rode his second winner of the season on Perico in a selling hurdle at Devon & Exeter later that month, then added a third success when riding 9-2 chance Big Black Boy to dead-heat with Golden Brook, the mount of Bilbie Rees, in the Monkspath Hurdle at Shirley Park on 6 September 1926. That would prove to be the last winner of Matthew’s career.
He rode his second winner of the season on Perico in a selling hurdle at Devon & Exeter later that month, then added a third success when riding 9-2 chance Big Black Boy to dead-heat with Golden Brook, the mount of Bilbie Rees, in the Monkspath Hurdle at Shirley Park on 6 September 1926. That would prove to be the last winner of Matthew’s career.
He had his final ride at Towcester on Easter Monday, 18 April 1927, when finishing unplaced on 20-1 outsider Stormy Sea in the Northampton Handicap Chase.
He had his final ride at Towcester on Easter Monday, 18 April 1927, when finishing unplaced on 20-1 outsider Stormy Sea in the Northampton Handicap Chase.
Matthew's first win: Hackler's Bey at Cheltenham
Matthew's first win: Hackler's Bey at Cheltenham