William Smyth
William Smyth
William Smyth
1896-1970
1896-1970
One of five brothers to become jockeys, William Albert Smyth won the Queen’s Prize as an apprentice before plying his trade over jumps, amassing 63 winners under National Hunt rules between 1915 and 1929.
One of five brothers to become jockeys, William Albert Smyth won the Queen’s Prize as an apprentice before plying his trade over jumps, amassing 63 winners under National Hunt rules between 1915 and 1929.
Born on August 17, 1896, William became apprenticed to Richard Wootton at Epsom in 1909 and rode his first winner on 9-2 chance Paravid, trained by Wootton, in the Apprentice Plate at Liverpool on November 8, 1911.
Born on August 17, 1896, William became apprenticed to Richard Wootton at Epsom in 1909 and rode his first winner on 9-2 chance Paravid, trained by Wootton, in the Apprentice Plate at Liverpool on November 8, 1911.
He gained his biggest success on the Flat aboard Rivoli, trained by Dick Dawson, in the 1913 Queen’s Prize at Kempton Park. The early running was cut out by Willaura and Pigeon Pie, followed by Paravid and Rivoli, the latter taking the lead after half a mile. Entering the straight, King Midas and Aye Aye closed on Rivoli but they could not peg him back, Rivoli winning ‘easily’, according to the form book, by three-quarters of a length.
He gained his biggest success on the Flat aboard Rivoli, trained by Dick Dawson, in the 1913 Queen’s Prize at Kempton Park. The early running was cut out by Willaura and Pigeon Pie, followed by Paravid and Rivoli, the latter taking the lead after half a mile. Entering the straight, King Midas and Aye Aye closed on Rivoli but they could not peg him back, Rivoli winning ‘easily’, according to the form book, by three-quarters of a length.
William made a perfect start to his career over jumps, also at Kempton, winning on his first ride, Narcisse, trained by Frank Wootton, in the Thames Hurdle on February 19, 1915, beating the 9-4 on favourite Desmond’s Song, ridden by Ernie Piggott.
William made a perfect start to his career over jumps, also at Kempton, winning on his first ride, Narcisse, trained by Frank Wootton, in the Thames Hurdle on February 19, 1915, beating the 9-4 on favourite Desmond’s Song, ridden by Ernie Piggott.
He enjoyed reasonable success as a jockey in the United States and Canada in the early 1920s, returning to England in 1925 to resume his career over jumps. He enjoyed his best season numerically in 1925/26 with 13 wins and recorded his most notable success when riding Carryduff to a four-length victory over the 6-4 favourite Ormuzd, ridden by George Duller, in the International Handicap Hurdle at Gatwick on February 25, 1927.
He enjoyed reasonable success as a jockey in the United States and Canada in the early 1920s, returning to England in 1925 to resume his career over jumps. He enjoyed his best season numerically in 1925/26 with 13 wins and recorded his most notable success when riding Carryduff to a four-length victory over the 6-4 favourite Ormuzd, ridden by George Duller, in the International Handicap Hurdle at Gatwick on February 25, 1927.
He rode his last winner on Turnips, trained at Epsom by Tom Walls, in the Wye Handicap Hurdle at that East Kent venue on March 23, 1929. Turnips was also his final ride when finishing unplaced in the Hawthorn Selling Hurdle at Hawthorn Hill on November 21, 1929.
He rode his last winner on Turnips, trained at Epsom by Tom Walls, in the Wye Handicap Hurdle at that East Kent venue on March 23, 1929. Turnips was also his final ride when finishing unplaced in the Hawthorn Selling Hurdle at Hawthorn Hill on November 21, 1929.
He began training a small string at Woodcote Rise Stables, Epsom that same year. During the early years of World War II he shared a yard at Down Cottage with his brother Herbert. He won York’s Nunthorpe Stakes in successive years (1942, 1943) with Linklater.
He began training a small string at Woodcote Rise Stables, Epsom that same year. During the early years of World War II he shared a yard at Down Cottage with his brother Herbert. He won York’s Nunthorpe Stakes in successive years (1942, 1943) with Linklater.
In September 1943 he accepted an offer to train for the Duke of Norfolk and his friends at the Duke’s private stables at Arundel. The arrangement was that William would supervise the horses’ work and manage the yard while the Duchess of Norfolk made the entries and dealt with the bookkeeping. The most important races he won there were the 1947 City and Suburban Handicap with the Duchess of Norfolk’s Banco, the 1958 Victoria Cup with Lady Rachel Davidson’s Red Letter, and the 1960 Middle Park Stakes with the Duke of Norfolk’s Skymaster.
In September 1943 he accepted an offer to train for the Duke of Norfolk and his friends at the Duke’s private stables at Arundel. The arrangement was that William would supervise the horses’ work and manage the yard while the Duchess of Norfolk made the entries and dealt with the bookkeeping. The most important races he won there were the 1947 City and Suburban Handicap with the Duchess of Norfolk’s Banco, the 1958 Victoria Cup with Lady Rachel Davidson’s Red Letter, and the 1960 Middle Park Stakes with the Duke of Norfolk’s Skymaster.
William retired at the end of 1960, handing over to his son Gordon, who had assisted him at Arundel for 15 years. Gordon won 37 races during his first season including the Stewards Cup and the Gimcrack Stakes.
William retired at the end of 1960, handing over to his son Gordon, who had assisted him at Arundel for 15 years. Gordon won 37 races during his first season including the Stewards Cup and the Gimcrack Stakes.
On the retirement of ‘Towser’ Gosden at the end of 1965, Gordon left Arundel to take over at Heath House Stables, Lewes, as a public trainer. The following season he sent out Lady Zia Wernher’s Charlottown to win the Derby and in 1967 he won the Coronation Cup with the same horse.
On the retirement of ‘Towser’ Gosden at the end of 1965, Gordon left Arundel to take over at Heath House Stables, Lewes, as a public trainer. The following season he sent out Lady Zia Wernher’s Charlottown to win the Derby and in 1967 he won the Coronation Cup with the same horse.
William Smyth lived long enough to see his son’s Epsom triumphs, dying on December 28, 1970, aged 74.
William Smyth lived long enough to see his son’s Epsom triumphs, dying on December 28, 1970, aged 74.
William's best win came in the 1913 Queen's Prize on Rivoli (which later went on to win that year's Ascot Stakes)
William's best win came in the 1913 Queen's Prize on Rivoli (which later went on to win that year's Ascot Stakes)
Narcisse, William's first winner over jumps
Narcisse, William's first winner over jumps