Ron Smyth
1915 - 1997
1915 - 1997
There were only 18 days steeplechasing in 1942: war restrictions did for many while a bitter winter killed off the rest. Racing between January 10 & March 14 was impossible though this did not displease everyone. While Churchill and his Cabinet were in favour of racing continuing during the war, letters to The Times suggested that Cheltenham week should be cancelled and the prize money given to Cheltenham Warships Week.
There were only 18 days steeplechasing in 1942: war restrictions did for many while a bitter winter killed off the rest. Racing between January 10 & March 14 was impossible though this did not displease everyone. While Churchill and his Cabinet were in favour of racing continuing during the war, letters to The Times suggested that Cheltenham week should be cancelled and the prize money given to Cheltenham Warships Week.
Ronald Victor Smyth not only rode the winner of that season's Champion Hurdle but also became champion Jockey. His brother Ted brought him back to earth by telling Ron that evidently 'he was the best of a bad lot!'
Ronald Victor Smyth not only rode the winner of that season's Champion Hurdle but also became champion Jockey. His brother Ted brought him back to earth by telling Ron that evidently 'he was the best of a bad lot!'
Ted may have had a point - to become champion, Ron had ridden just 12 winners!
Ted may have had a point - to become champion, Ron had ridden just 12 winners!
In the Champion Hurdle, Ron was on the classically bred Forestation who had won on the level at three and four. Forestation was an outstanding stayer and ran the others ragged up the hill. The winning owner (and Ron's uncle) Vic Smyth, who also trained it, gave his £495 prize to a War Relief Fund.
In the Champion Hurdle, Ron was on the classically bred Forestation who had won on the level at three and four. Forestation was an outstanding stayer and ran the others ragged up the hill. The winning owner (and Ron's uncle) Vic Smyth, who also trained it, gave his £495 prize to a War Relief Fund.
Ron was winning the race for the second time having ridden the four-year-old chestnut colt Seneca to victory the year before.
Ron was winning the race for the second time having ridden the four-year-old chestnut colt Seneca to victory the year before.
The favourite at 4/7 was the ten-year-old Solford who, on all known form, should have buried his rivals. In the event, he didn't even beat his pacemaker and, finishing exhausted and last, had clearly been got at.
The favourite at 4/7 was the ten-year-old Solford who, on all known form, should have buried his rivals. In the event, he didn't even beat his pacemaker and, finishing exhausted and last, had clearly been got at.
Seneca, who had won on his only previous appearance over hurdles, got up on the line to beat Dorothy Paget's second string, Anarchist, by a head. Ron then enjoyed his second win of the afternoon when Ideal won the Gloucestershire Hurdle.
Seneca, who had won on his only previous appearance over hurdles, got up on the line to beat Dorothy Paget's second string, Anarchist, by a head. Ron then enjoyed his second win of the afternoon when Ideal won the Gloucestershire Hurdle.
Ron captured the Champion Hurdle a third time, in 1948, when National Spirit, the 6/4 favourite, won by two lengths from DUKW.
Ron captured the Champion Hurdle a third time, in 1948, when National Spirit, the 6/4 favourite, won by two lengths from DUKW.
His best riding days high-jacked by the war, Ron turned to training, and took out his first trainer's licence in 1947.
His best riding days high-jacked by the war, Ron turned to training, and took out his first trainer's licence in 1947.
He proved as good out of the saddle as in, sending out the Imperial Hurdle winner three times. He also won the Stewards' Cup, Cesarewitch, and the Triumph Hurdle (twice).
He proved as good out of the saddle as in, sending out the Imperial Hurdle winner three times. He also won the Stewards' Cup, Cesarewitch, and the Triumph Hurdle (twice).
Ron, who was born on November 18, 1915, got married on October 28, 1940.
Ron, who was born on November 18, 1915, got married on October 28, 1940.
He retired, age 76, at the end of the 1991 season. His famous stables - 'Clear Heights' - were taken over by Simon Dow on November 1, 1991.
He retired, age 76, at the end of the 1991 season. His famous stables - 'Clear Heights' - were taken over by Simon Dow on November 1, 1991.
Ron said at the time: 'Like most retirements, it will be a bit of a wrench for me after such an active life with horses. It has been exciting and enjoyable and some of the nicest people I have met have been in racing.'
Ron said at the time: 'Like most retirements, it will be a bit of a wrench for me after such an active life with horses. It has been exciting and enjoyable and some of the nicest people I have met have been in racing.'
He died at Ashstead, Surrey, on July 4, 1997, aged 81.
He died at Ashstead, Surrey, on July 4, 1997, aged 81.
Best wins:
Best wins:
1941: Champion Hurdle Senaca
1941: Champion Hurdle Senaca
1941: Gloucester Hurdle - Ideal
1941: Gloucester Hurdle - Ideal
1942: Champion Hurdle - Forestation
1942: Champion Hurdle - Forestation
1946: Gloucester Hurdle - Prince Rupert
1946: Gloucester Hurdle - Prince Rupert
1947: Lonsdale Hurdle - Sammy's Rock
1947: Lonsdale Hurdle - Sammy's Rock
1948: Champion Hurdle - National Spirit
1948: Champion Hurdle - National Spirit