Tributes are flowing for Newcastle trainer Ben Smith as the racing community rallies after his sudden death earlier this week.
Sky Racing commentator Dave Stanley delivered an emotional four-minute monologue on his show on Tuesday morning, finishing with: “rest easy Benny, you were one of us”.
News Limited reported on Monday night Newcastle Police were investigating the cause of Smith’s death, but it was believed there were no suspicious circumstances.
Smith was just 42 years old and nearing the end of a 13-month ban from racing after one of his horses tested positive to a prohibited substance.
Smith was a popular figure among the racing community and the news hit hard around the Hunter and Wollongong, where he had resumed training.
“Before we get into the show today, I want to take a moment to pay tribute to someone the racing world lost far too soon – Newcastle trainer, and my mate, Ben Smith,” Stanley started.
“… It just doesn’t seem fair. Ben was a real horseman, he had that natural feel, a quiet connection with his animals. The kind you can’t teach.
“And when he was flying, there weren’t many better.”
Smith won Group 1 races in 2018 with In Her Time (The Galaxy) and El Dorado Dreaming (ATC Sires Produce Stakes).
“In her time, El Dorado Dreaming – Group 1 winners trained by a battler from Newcastle who had the dream, and the guts to chase it,” Stanley said.
“But like many in this game, and in life, Benny had his demons. He took some wrong turns, and he paid the price. He copped his whack, and he wore it.
“It knocked him around, but he never stopped wanting to get back to prove he still had it. And he did … he never gave up on the game and he never stopped caring for the people in it.”
Smith’s world came crashing down in 2019 when he was sensationally banned for four-and-a-half, later reduced to three years and nine months, for cobalt offences.
“You reflect on it and you realise where you went wrong and how you went wrong,” Smith told News Limited before his return to training in 2022.
“The stable expanded and boomed and you get tempted by the devil, and I did the wrong thing.”
Smith resumed training in late 2022 Smith and trained 17 winners in his comeback 2023-24 season before a second lengthy stewards ban.He received a 13-month ban in May last year, when he and one of his horses tested positive to banned substances.
Racing NSW stewards charged Smith for two separate offences, one of which was for the use of a banned substance while handling a horse.
The trainer provided a urine sample that was found, upon analysis, to contain a number of substances banned under AR137(1).
He was given a 12-month ban, reduced to nine months for the offence while he received a further four-month suspension after one of his runners, Arale, tested positive to an anti-inflammatory drug.
But he was respected in the industry and there was an outpouring of tributes after the news of his death emerged.
“Originally from Scone, Ben forged a strong career from his base at Newcastle Racecourse where he tasted both G1 & G2 successes with champion mare In Her Time,” Provincial Racing – NSW said in a Facebook post.
“In his 14-year training career he prepared 93 winners & 154 placegetters from his 747 starters. He was widely respected among his peers in the racing industry & will be sadly missed. RIP Ben
Another reader added: “Ben Smith’s legacy will live on through his incredible achievements in the racing world. My heart goes out to his loved ones during this difficult time. RIP Ben.”
And another: “In his time he achieved plenty, and he gave so much to his passion. A great bloke. Rest easy Ben.”
Stanley felt the news hard. He interviewed Smith on his program last year about life’s ups and downs as a trainer.
“He felt things deeply … now he’s gone. Far too young and we’re left trying to make sense of it,” Stanley said.
“… Ben Smith was flawed, like all of us. But he had talent, he had heart, and he had a crack. And in this game, and this life, that counts for a hell of a lot. Rest easy, Benny. You’re not forgotten, you were one of us.”
Photo Credits: Newcastle Herald
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