He trained the winners of over 1,600 races during a 45-year career and gained his biggest success when Red Alligator won the 1968 Grand National.
[2] Smith worked as a taxi driver before his joining his father-in-law, Bert Richardson, as a cattle dealer.
He eventually became a fully licensed trainer himself and sent out his first winner in 1958 with Owen's Mark at Sedgefield Racecourse.
In 1969–70 and 1970 Smith became the first trainer to send out 50 winners in consecutive National Hunt and Flat seasons.
[1] He retired from training in 2002 and had his final winner with Monksford at Hamilton Park Racecourse in July of that year.