Last week provided a unique opportunity to connect with Martin Smith, a seasoned racehorse trainer based in Newmarket. Holding licenses for both flat and National Hunt racing, Martin currently has fifteen horses in training, with the capacity to accommodate thirty. His lifelong immersion in the equestrian world, stemming from his trainer father Allan Smith, has shaped a career dedicated to nurturing equine talent.
From Jockey Aspirations to Training Realities
Martin’s childhood was deeply intertwined with the stables. Initially drawn to the idea of becoming a pilot, his path gradually shifted towards horse racing from around the age of eleven. By thirteen, he was actively riding out before school, a commitment that sometimes led to attending classes in his riding attire. This early exposure solidified his connection to the sport. His journey into professional racing began in Belgium, where he obtained an apprentice jockey license just before his fifteenth birthday, securing his first win at the age of fourteen. He then transitioned to jump racing as a conditional jockey.
His inaugural victory was aboard a horse named Jeroboam, a memorable horse for Martin and his family, as both his father and brother had also won races on him. This horse marked Martin’s first ride in England, a significant milestone achieved around the age of seventeen at Lingfield on New Year’s Eve. He vividly recalls the experience of competing against legendary jockey Frankie Dettori.
Transitioning to Training and Building a Racing Club
Martin rode as a jockey until he was twenty-one. However, a consistent lack of rides, despite his horses performing well, led him to reconsider his career. After a year away from racing, he returned to the industry, working in various capacities including pupil assistant, assistant trainer, and head lad, alongside extensive travel with horses.
In 2013, Martin earned his English Dual-Purpose training license. His first winner under this license was Boris The Bold in November 2013. This horse, acquired at the February Sales, had overcome a significant tendon injury to secure the win. Martin’s familiarity with Boris The Bold, having known him during his time as assistant trainer to John Best, made this victory particularly rewarding. After another injury, Boris The Bold was retired and is now enjoying a comfortable retirement.
To make racehorse ownership more accessible, Martin established the Martin Smith Racing Club. This initiative allows individuals to become involved in horses for an affordable price, catering to those who desire the social aspect of racing without the prohibitive costs. Membership benefits include stable visits on Saturday mornings for “club mornings,” where members can observe horses on the gallops. Additionally, there are four to five “club days” throughout the year featuring gatherings with food and drink. A popular WhatsApp group connects all members, fostering a sense of community. While efforts are made to secure owners’ badges for members, managing the number of attendees can occasionally be a challenge.
Notable Horses and Promoting the Sport
The racing club has several notable horses, including Break The Rules, a filly who won a mares’ novice hurdle at Southwell. She is a half-sister to Arch My Boy, a successful hurdler sold to race in America. Other horses in the club include Aleatoric, Morani Kali, Friends Don’t Ask, and Badger The Pony. Affluence, a popular horse with the yard, has achieved five wins and recently competed at Royal Ascot.
Martin actively uses social media to provide insights into the lives of his racehorses, aiming to counter the perception of racing as a cruel sport and highlight the excellent care the animals receive. These platforms also serve as a crucial tool for business promotion, attracting new clients by showcasing the yard’s capabilities.
Challenges in the UK Racing Industry
Martin acknowledges the financial pressures faced by independent trainers, drawing parallels with Ed Vaughan’s decision to cease training due to financial unsustainability. He emphasizes that while he has gained valuable experience working with prominent owners, he doesn’t expect their direct patronage as a trainer.
He describes achieving winners against top stables as a “miracle,” highlighting the competitive landscape where smaller trainers must compete against well-resourced operations like John Gosden’s and Sir Michael Stoute’s, despite having fewer resources. In 2019, Martin matched his personal best with seven flat winners from sixty-five runners.
A significant concern for Martin is the low prize money in lower-grade races within the UK. He believes that while major owners may not require increased prize money, it discourages smaller owners and trainers. He contrasts this with countries like America and France, where prize money is more substantial and costs are lower. Martin recounts an experience where a horse that won five races barely covered its annual training costs, despite earning over £30,000, illustrating the financial strain.
Martin suggests that the structure of betting and the profit margins of bookmakers contribute to the issue. He points out that while betting companies profit immensely from racing, they reinvest relatively little back into the sport. In contrast, in America and France, race tracks or similar entities control betting, directly funding prize purses.
Hopes for the Future and Growing the Yard
When asked about the potential for change, Martin admits the situation is challenging. He suggests that increasing charges for bookmakers, despite potential opposition, could be a viable solution, given the profitability of the betting industry.
Looking ahead, Martin’s ultimate ambition is to win a prestigious race like the Melbourne Cup or a Breeders’ Cup race. More realistically, his goal is to expand his training yard, acquire more horses, and enable each horse to reach its full potential, securing wins for their owners.
Martin Smith is an exceptionally knowledgeable and talented trainer who clearly cherishes his horses. His dedication to promoting transparency and accessibility in horse racing, coupled with his pragmatic approach to the industry’s challenges, makes him a noteworthy figure.
Racing Club Website – https://www.martinsmithracing.com/copy-of-racing-partnerships
Twitter – @MartinPBSmith
Instagram – @martinpbsmith
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/Sollemsmith
