MATTHEW SMITH

Matthew Smith paid his way to Ireland to work with trainers in the UK, eventually taking up a position with Aiden O'Brien. Initially a track rider, Matthew Smith quickly progressed through the ranks to become Aidan's Assistant Trainer, working alongside his quietly spoken mentor for two and a half years as Ballydoyle emerged as the world's premier racing stable. The opportunity to learn a new style of racehorse preparation in the United States proved tempting and Matthew elected to continue his education as Assistant Trainer for Niall O'Callaghan. With O'Callaghan constantly moving between stables in different states Matthew was left to manage a string of 30 horses and staff. Smith then moved back to Australia to work as a stable foreman for Bart Cummings for almost five years before taking out his own license with almost a decade of experience behind him. In 2008 Smith won his first Group race with Krupt in the Todman Stakes, going on to claim his first Group 1 with Hurtle Myrtle in the 2011 Myer Classic.