Doug Smith (jockey)
Encyclopedia
Doug Smith was an English flat racing
jockey
and trainer
. During his career he was champion jockey
5 times (1954, 55, 56, 58, 59) finishing second on the rider's list 7 times, riding a total of 3,112 winners. In addition he was champion apprentice
in 1937.
His biography "Five Times Champion", (Pelham Books, London, 1968) was written in collaboration with Peter Willett.
Doug Smith rode four classic winners, including:
Doug was well-known as an outstanding rider of stayers. During his career he won the Doncaster Cup
seven times, the Goodwood Cup
three times, the Cesarewitch Handicap
six times and the Ascot Gold Cup
twice. He stated that Alycidon (rated 138 by Timeform, in the top 20 of their all-time ratings) was the best horse he ever rode.
Doug was brother to Eph Smith (1915 - 1972), who rode 2,313 winners in a riding career spanning 1933 - 1965. Their 5,425 winners make them the most prolific riding brothers in English racing history. In addition, he was son-in-law to Frederick N. Winter (champion apprentice
in 1911) and brother-in-law of Fred Winter
(multiple champion National Hunt jockey and trainer).
There is a road named after him in Newmarket, Suffolk "Doug Smith Close", intersecting with "Lester Piggott Way".
Flat racing
Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...
jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
and trainer
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
. During his career he was champion jockey
British flat racing Champion Jockey
The Champion Jockey of flat racing in Great Britain is the jockey who has ridden the most winning horses during a season. The list below shows the Champion Jockey and the number of winners for each year since 1840...
5 times (1954, 55, 56, 58, 59) finishing second on the rider's list 7 times, riding a total of 3,112 winners. In addition he was champion apprentice
British flat racing Champion Apprentice
The Champion Apprentice of flat racing in Great Britain is the apprentice jockey who has ridden the most winning horses during the flat turf season...
in 1937.
His biography "Five Times Champion", (Pelham Books, London, 1968) was written in collaboration with Peter Willett.
Doug Smith rode four classic winners, including:
- 1,000 Guineas (Hypericum, 1946; Petite Etoile, 1959)
- 2,000 Guineas (Our Babu, 1955; Pall Mall, 1958)
- Epsom OaksEpsom OaksThe Oaks Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early June....
(Sleeping Partner, 1969 - as trainer)
Doug was well-known as an outstanding rider of stayers. During his career he won the Doncaster Cup
Doncaster Cup
The Doncaster Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 2 miles and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September....
seven times, the Goodwood Cup
Goodwood Cup
The Goodwood Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 2 miles , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:...
three times, the Cesarewitch Handicap
Cesarewitch Handicap
The Cesarewitch Handicap is a flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Newmarket over a distance of 2 miles and 2 furlongs , and the latter part is on the Rowley Mile. It is scheduled to take place each year in October.The event was...
six times and the Ascot Gold Cup
Ascot Gold Cup
The Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
twice. He stated that Alycidon (rated 138 by Timeform, in the top 20 of their all-time ratings) was the best horse he ever rode.
Doug was brother to Eph Smith (1915 - 1972), who rode 2,313 winners in a riding career spanning 1933 - 1965. Their 5,425 winners make them the most prolific riding brothers in English racing history. In addition, he was son-in-law to Frederick N. Winter (champion apprentice
British flat racing Champion Apprentice
The Champion Apprentice of flat racing in Great Britain is the apprentice jockey who has ridden the most winning horses during the flat turf season...
in 1911) and brother-in-law of Fred Winter
Fred Winter (horse racing)
Frederick Thomas Winter was a British National Hunt racing racehorse jockey and trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Jockey four times and British jump racing Champion Trainer eight times. He is the only person to have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Grand National as both...
(multiple champion National Hunt jockey and trainer).
There is a road named after him in Newmarket, Suffolk "Doug Smith Close", intersecting with "Lester Piggott Way".