Beyond The Finish Line: Smad Place

The name Smad Place is one that feels very at home at Newbury Racecourse. Of his nine career victories, three were recorded at the Berkshire track.

Smad Place’s UK career with Alan King began in 2010; his debut coming right here at Newbury with a remarkable 28 length victory in a Juvenile Hurdle, finishing well clear of the Paul Nicholls-trained Dolatulo – who would go on to become an 11-time winner.

From there Smad Place continued to impress. In 2012 he finished third behind Big Buck’s in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, launching a career that rarely saw him finish out of the placings.

Two years later he returned to Newbury for William Hill Super Saturday, claiming the Novices’ Chase by two lengths from Sam Winner. The following season he lined up for his first attempt at the Hennessy Gold Cup (now Coral Gold Cup), finishing a respectable fifth behind Many Clouds and Houblon des Obeaux.
Returning for the 2015/16 season, he produced one of his most memorable performances at Newbury, winning the Hennessy Gold Cup (now Coral Gold Cup) by 12 lengths and cementing himself in the Racecourse’s history books.

Beyond Newbury, Smad Place concluded his racing career on a high, landing the Cotswold Chase by seven lengths over Many Clouds. He ran three more times the following season (2018), before retiring after sustaining a ligament injury. Smad Place stepped away from racing with 21 placings, and nine victories from 37 runs.

He now enjoys a well-earned retirement with Sarah Haydon, who followed him for the latter part of his racing career. The pair enjoy taking part in clinics and participating in RoR parades.

We’re delighted to welcome Smad Place back to Newbury Racecourse for this year’s William Hill Super Saturday, where he will feature in the RoR Parade alongside Native River, Barbers Shop, Dashel Drasher, and Lord du Mesnil.

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