Stan Smith
1913-1991
1913-1991
Born in Croydon on June 17, 1913, Stanley Ronald Smith answered an advertisement in a local newspaper when only 13, a step which led to an apprenticeship with George Batchelor at Chantilly, in France.
Born in Croydon on June 17, 1913, Stanley Ronald Smith answered an advertisement in a local newspaper when only 13, a step which led to an apprenticeship with George Batchelor at Chantilly, in France.
Stan served his apprenticeship with Batchelor from 1926 to 1934, riding his first winner on Rhumrow in 1927 at Le Tremblay. He spent his early riding career in France and also rode and won over hurdles and fences there.
Stan served his apprenticeship with Batchelor from 1926 to 1934, riding his first winner on Rhumrow in 1927 at Le Tremblay. He spent his early riding career in France and also rode and won over hurdles and fences there.
On July 7, 1934, he married Odette Glynn. She would give birth to a son, Reginald.
On July 7, 1934, he married Odette Glynn. She would give birth to a son, Reginald.
When war broke out, Stan was interned for three years and found it hard to resurrect his career, so he returned to England in 1948 and joined Michael Everitt, who trained at Hambleton. Just 16 rides that year produced one second place finish but no winners.
When war broke out, Stan was interned for three years and found it hard to resurrect his career, so he returned to England in 1948 and joined Michael Everitt, who trained at Hambleton. Just 16 rides that year produced one second place finish but no winners.
He finally broke the ice, riding 13 winners in 1949. Later, he went to Newmarket to ride for Claude Halsey and then spent six years with Norman Bertie before joining Fergie Sutherland.
He finally broke the ice, riding 13 winners in 1949. Later, he went to Newmarket to ride for Claude Halsey and then spent six years with Norman Bertie before joining Fergie Sutherland.
The Sutherland-Smith combination enjoyed plenty of success during the early 1960s Stan rode 20 winners in 1960 and 35 in 1961. That caught the attention of Lord Rosebery, who in 1962 appointed Stan as his retained jockey.
The Sutherland-Smith combination enjoyed plenty of success during the early 1960s Stan rode 20 winners in 1960 and 35 in 1961. That caught the attention of Lord Rosebery, who in 1962 appointed Stan as his retained jockey.
A fall from Persian Fantasy in a seven-horse pile-up in the 1962 Derby interrupted Stan’s career but before the end of the season he was back again, riding better than ever.
A fall from Persian Fantasy in a seven-horse pile-up in the 1962 Derby interrupted Stan’s career but before the end of the season he was back again, riding better than ever.
In 1963 he won the Greenham Stakes on Lord Rosebery’s Fighting Ship. They were sent off third favourite for the Derby at 8-1 but could only finish seventh behind Relko. Later that season Stan and Fighting Ship finished third to Ragusa in the St Leger. In between time, Stan won the Stewards Cup on Lord Rosebery’s Creole.
In 1963 he won the Greenham Stakes on Lord Rosebery’s Fighting Ship. They were sent off third favourite for the Derby at 8-1 but could only finish seventh behind Relko. Later that season Stan and Fighting Ship finished third to Ragusa in the St Leger. In between time, Stan won the Stewards Cup on Lord Rosebery’s Creole.
He rode regularly in India during the winter months in India, where he enjoyed considerable success, winning back-to-back runnings of the Indian Derby on Manjri in 1962 and Jammu in 1963.
He rode regularly in India during the winter months in India, where he enjoyed considerable success, winning back-to-back runnings of the Indian Derby on Manjri in 1962 and Jammu in 1963.
On Monday, June 4, 1968, Stan Smith – by then aged 54 and the oldest English jockey riding at the time – donned the Queen’s colours and climbed aboard the five-year-old Castle Yard at Redcar.
On Monday, June 4, 1968, Stan Smith – by then aged 54 and the oldest English jockey riding at the time – donned the Queen’s colours and climbed aboard the five-year-old Castle Yard at Redcar.
Trained by Captain Sir Cecil Boyd-Rochfort, Castle Yard produced a real turn of speed in the final furlong to pass Midnight Marauder and High Table and win the £2,548 Zetland Gold Cup. It was the Queen’s second winner of the season.
Trained by Captain Sir Cecil Boyd-Rochfort, Castle Yard produced a real turn of speed in the final furlong to pass Midnight Marauder and High Table and win the £2,548 Zetland Gold Cup. It was the Queen’s second winner of the season.
Stan rode his final winner on Jim Joel’s three-year-old filly Karen, trained by Henry Cecil, in the Chepstow Cup Handicap on September 1, 1969. He retired at the end of that season, aged 56.
Stan rode his final winner on Jim Joel’s three-year-old filly Karen, trained by Henry Cecil, in the Chepstow Cup Handicap on September 1, 1969. He retired at the end of that season, aged 56.
In total, he rode 299 winners. He reflected that Lovelace was the best horse he rode during his long career in the saddle.
In total, he rode 299 winners. He reflected that Lovelace was the best horse he rode during his long career in the saddle.
Stan Smith died at Newmarket on June 3, 1991, aged 77. He left £75,500.
Stan Smith died at Newmarket on June 3, 1991, aged 77. He left £75,500.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1961: Imperial Stakes – Compensation
1961: Imperial Stakes – Compensation
1963: Greenham Stakes – Fighting Ship
1963: Greenham Stakes – Fighting Ship
1963: Stewards Cup – Creole
1963: Stewards Cup – Creole
1964: City and Suburban Handicap – The Bo’sun
1964: City and Suburban Handicap – The Bo’sun
1968: Zetland Gold Cup – Castle Yard
1968: Zetland Gold Cup – Castle Yard
Stan & Creole win the 1963 Stewards' Cup
Stan & Creole win the 1963 Stewards' Cup
The Bo'sun
The Bo'sun