'I was on the verge of bankruptcy and only he kept me going'

Unsung hero Owen the launchpad for trainer Bryan Smart

Bryan and Vicky lead in Sil Sila (Cash Asmussen) after her Prix de Diane winCredit: Smith Phil

Bryan Smart, 60, has seen some ups and downs in life, from journeyman jump jockey to divorced Lambourn trainer on the brink of bankruptcy, but he has grafted his way out of the bad times and good horses have rewarded him along the way.

Now based at Hambleton House, North Yorkshire, the son of a coal miner is happily married and thriving, but he has never forgotten the equine heroes who saw him through the worst. Here he picks five of the best.

Owen
Owner DH Francis
Winning jockeys Richard Dunwoody, Adrian Maguire and Brendan Powell snr
Biggest win Sabrina Handicap Chase, Worcester, September 1992

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Peter ThomasSenior features writer

Published on 27 May 2017inFeatures

Last updated 18:59, 27 May 2017

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