Darren Smith
Meet Dynamic Trainer Darren Smith - Leading Newcastle Based Trainer
Darren Smith obtained his educational grounding in horses from his involvement as a youngster with pony club and eventing. He left school and spent two years at the New South Wales Equestrian Centre working with legendary horseman Heath Ryan.
Upon return to his family property "Smithsfields" near Newcastle at the age of 19, he began riding track work at Broadmeadow racecourse for a six month period. It was this experience together with his family's involvement in racing that started Darren's career in working with racehorses.
At 20 years of age and ambitious, Darren believed he had what it took to become a top class racehorse trainer.
He was granted a trainers license and started training with just a few horses. He kick started his career with a horse called Varikos, which he purchased as a yearling and put the polish on him to run second in The Galaxy – a Gr1 event (which Darren won in 2011 with Dynamic Syndications Atomic Force). From there, Darren's stable grew with better quality horses being offered to him to train and several loyal owners (including Dean Watt) who have been with Darren from his beginning.
Darren refuses to manage more than 50 horses in work at any one time. This ensures he can maintain a hands on approach to his team of horses. Darren's biggest asset is that he is a skilled horseman and he utilises this by riding most of his own work. This gives him an outstanding opportunity to judge exactly how the horse is progressing and gives the owners a valuable insight to when their horses are ready to win.
Having achieved Group and Feature race success, Darren is one of Newcastle's top trainers. He has structured his training properties to enable him a variety of training options for his horses, allowing all horses to be treated as individuals.
Darren works closely with his family (his father Spencer is his foreman) and enjoys nothing else but to see his hard work and persistence pay off for his horses and owners.
Trainer's Profile
Darren Smith and Dean Watt (Dynamic Syndications) have been friends since Darren kicked off his training career 20 years ago. They share a terrific working relationship and have enjoyed winning many races together.
This has culminated in 2011 winning 'The Galaxy Gr1' and the 'Maurice McCarten S. LR' with 'Atomic Force' and the 'Magic Millions Country Cup' with 'Midnight at Ascot'.
Commitment to Service
Darren operates an ideal thoroughbred racehorse training service, with experience, respect (to both horse and owners) and a hands on approach, he offers horses and owners every opportunity for success.
Skilled Thoroughbred Training Service
Owners can be assured of Darren's professional approach to his craft. He is a skilled horseman who remains in touch with each of his horses, riding a lot of his own work. Darren maps out individual programme’s for his horses and offers attention to detail.
Excellent Training Facilities
His properties have been carefully planned to allow him to work and educate all horses and to cater for their individual needs. The properties are centrally located to make use of all options from the racecourse, property and beach work.
Owner Involvement
Owners are encouraged to be involved in all aspects of racing. Darren welcomes owner visits (by appointment) to come and spend time with your horse and to see your horse in work. Communication is important and together we strive to ensure that our owners are always kept up to the minute with the horse's progress.
Training - Properties, Facilities and Beach Work
Darren Smith’s training facilities have everything we need to cater for our horses. He has two specific facilities.
- The on-course stables are located at Broadmeadow Racecourse (Newcastle) where young horses are educated. On-Course facilities include:
- On-course facilities and track
- Darren uses his property 'Smithfields' situated on a 20 acre rural setting, 20 minutes from Newcastle Racecourse.
These facilities include:
- 34 stables
- 20 paddocks - day yards
- Purpose built swimming facility
- 9 horse walker
- 550 metre slow work sand track
- Weight Scales
- 15 minutes from the beach for beach work
- 2 Horse Trucks – Darren does a lot of his own transport
- The property next door has been developed for agistment
- Darren Smith works all horses on the beach, taking early rides early in the morning on the water's edge and swimming with the horses.
In the past couple of years Darren has trained close to 50 Winners for Dynamic Owners.
Darren's access to working horses on the beach as well as his purpose built farm offers horses a wonderful environment in which to prosper.