Robert Thomas Smith (May 20, 1878 – January 23, 1957) was an American Thoroughbredracehorsetrainer. Born in a log cabin in the backwoods of northwest Georgia, as a young man he trained horses for the United States Cavalry and worked on a cattle ranch. In 1934, he was hired as a trainer by the wealthy businessman Charles S. Howard.
On November 8, 1945, Smith was suspended from racing for a year by The Jockey Club after being found responsible for administering the stimulant ephedrine via an atomizer to one of his horses.[1] The drug was given to the horse by the stable foreman without Smith's specific authorization, but under New York racing rules he was held responsible as the horse's trainer.
In his absence, Roy Waldron trained for a time for Maine Chance Farm, winning the Pimlico Futurity with Star Pilot, before Smith's 36-year-old son, Jimmy, took over for the remainder of the suspension.
When his suspension was over, Smith returned to Maine Chance Farm, where he trained 1947 Kentucky Derby winner Jet Pilot.
smith, horse, trainer, confused, with, smith, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, 2011, learn, when, remove, this,. Not to be confused with Tom Smith This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations May 2011 Learn how and when to remove this message Robert Thomas Smith May 20 1878 January 23 1957 was an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer Born in a log cabin in the backwoods of northwest Georgia as a young man he trained horses for the United States Cavalry and worked on a cattle ranch In 1934 he was hired as a trainer by the wealthy businessman Charles S Howard Tom SmithTom Smith with SeabiscuitOccupationTrainer FarrierBorn 1878 05 20 May 20 1878Georgia U S DiedJanuary 23 1957 1957 01 23 aged 78 Career winsNot foundMajor racing winsBay Meadows Handicap 1937 1938 Brooklyn Handicap 1937 Butler Handicap 1937 Massachusetts Handicap 1937 Agua Caliente Handicap 1938 Havre de Grace Handicap 1938 Hollywood Gold Cup 1938 1939 Pimlico Special Match Race 1938 Santa Anita Handicap 1939 1940 American Derby 1940 Potomac Handicap 1940 Chesapeake Stakes 1941 Santa Anita Derby 1941 Arlington Washington Lassie Stakes 1945 Beldame Stakes 1945 Belmont Futurity Stakes 1945 Fashion Stakes 1945 Hopeful Stakes 1945 Juvenile Stakes 1945 Matron Stakes 1945 Walden Stakes 1945 Tremont Stakes 1946 Jamaica Handicap 1947 Great American Stakes 1950 American Classic Race wins Kentucky Derby 1947 Racing awardsU S Champion Thoroughbred Trainer by earnings 1940 1945 HonoursNational Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame 2001 Washington Racing Hall of Fame 2003 Significant horsesKayak II Seabiscuit Beaugay Star Pilot Jet Pilot Known as Silent Tom because of his quiet nature Smith became famous as the trainer of Seabiscuit In the 1940s he was hired to train for Maine Chance Farm owned by cosmetics tycoon Elizabeth Arden Twice he was the U S Champion Trainer by earnings first in 1940 and again in 1945 On November 8 1945 Smith was suspended from racing for a year by The Jockey Club after being found responsible for administering the stimulant ephedrine via an atomizer to one of his horses 1 The drug was given to the horse by the stable foreman without Smith s specific authorization but under New York racing rules he was held responsible as the horse s trainer In his absence Roy Waldron trained for a time for Maine Chance Farm winning the Pimlico Futurity with Star Pilot before Smith s 36 year old son Jimmy took over for the remainder of the suspension When his suspension was over Smith returned to Maine Chance Farm where he trained 1947 Kentucky Derby winner Jet Pilot Smith retired from racing in 1955 having trained 29 graded stakes race winners He died two years later in Glendale California and was buried there in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Sunrise Slope Lot 6121 Space 4 In 2000 Smith was elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and was inducted in 2001 2 According to author Laura Hillenbrand Smith s election to the Hall of Fame was delayed because of Smith s allegedly using an illegal stimulant in 1945 His life s story was told by author Laura Hillenbrand s bestselling 2001 book Seabiscuit An American Legend 3 Smith was played by Academy Award winning actor Chris Cooper in the 2003 film Seabiscuit References edit December 3 1945 TIME magazine article on Tom Smith s suspension titled At the Hop Washington Racing Hall of Fame Seabiscuit An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand Washington Racing Hall of Fame December 3 1945 TIME magazine article on Tom Smith s suspension titled At the Hop Tom Smith at the United States National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Seabiscuit An American Legend by Laura HillenbrandExternal links edit nbsp Biography portal Tom Smith at Find a Grave Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Tom Smith horse trainer amp oldid 1215480188, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
