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- [S136] Obituary - Daniel Michael Smithwick, (Washington Post), http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/04/AR2006060400835.html.
Daniel M. 'Mikey' Smithwick; Thoroughbred Trainer, Jockey
By Joe Holley
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, June 5, 2006
Daniel M. "Mikey" Smithwick, 77, a legendary thoroughbred trainer and steeplechase jockey who won the prestigious Maryland Hunt Cup a record six times, died May 29 of multiple system atrophy, a form of Parkinson's disease, at his farm near Hydes, Md.
"Mikey thinks like a horse," an owner whose horse had been trained by Mr. Smithwick observed in a 2001 profile. With good reason. Mr. Smithwick was around horses his whole life.
His father, Alfred Smithwick, was an Irish immigrant horse trader, and his mother, Emma Warner Smithwick of Baltimore, was an accomplished rider. His elder brother, A. Patrick "Paddy" Smithwick, won five national steeplechase titles between 1950 and 1962.
Mr. Smithwick's victories in the Maryland Hunt Cup, a grueling timber race over four miles of turf studded with 22 fences, came between 1948 and 1960. First run in 1894, the Hunt Cup has been called the Kentucky Derby of steeplechase.
Mr. Smithwick became a trainer at 28 in 1956, when he took over training for the stable of Lillian Phipps, then the sport's top owner. The next year he won 38 races, taking his first National Steeplechase Association championship. He won a dozen more association championships, including seven in a row from 1964 to 1970. Six of his horses won nine steeplechase championships, and three were elected into Thoroughbred Racing's Hall of Fame.
Mr. Smithwick was born in Baltimore. When he was 12, his family moved to a small farm near Hydes, where Mr. Smithwick lived until his death. In the early 1950s, he and his brother established Smithwick Stables. They ended their partnership when Paddy Smithwick was thrown from a horse and paralyzed in 1966.
"He was very intuitive as far as what the horse was thinking," said Carmen Roig, who brought her horse to Mr. Smithwick 11 years ago. "He understood their body language and had a very keen eye for the subtleties. He gained the horse's trust."
Mr. Smithwick, usually seen in his trademark tweed cap, particularly enjoyed teaching children how to ride. "He can often be found on his trademark pony, judging youngsters in a mock show or lining them up for an impromptu race," the association newsletter noted in its 2001 profile.
"More than anything, he enjoyed teaching people about horses," a son said. Until recently, he was getting up at 5 every morning and working until dark.
He was elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1971. His brother was elected to the Hall of Fame a few months before his death in 1973.
Mr. Smithwick was married to Dorothy Fred Smithwick of Middleburg, although the couple had not lived together for many years.
Survivors include his companion of 24 years, Alexandra S. White of Hydes; two sons, Daniel Michael "Speedy" Smithwick Jr. of Louisville and Roger Smithwick of Elkton, Md.; and two granddaughters.
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