Doug Smith (jockey)
Doug Smith (21 November 1917 – April 1989) 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:
- 1,000 Guineas (Hypericum, 1946; Petite Etoile, 1959)
- 2,000 Guineas (Our Babu, 1955; Pall Mall, 1958)
- Epsom Oaks (Sleeping Partner, 1969 - as trainer)
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).
In 1989, he committed suicide by drowning himself in the swimming pool at his home in Newmarket. He was 71.[1]
There is a road named after him in Newmarket, Suffolk "Doug Smith Close", intersecting with "Lester Piggott Way".
References
- "Encyclopedia of British Horseracing" Routledge 23oo