Jockey Mike Smith strikes in England by winning with Gentleman's Code
Two time Eclipse award winning rider, Mike Smith won in his first ever ride in Great Britain. Smith was teamed up with trainer Wesley Ward. Wesley Ward conditions the two year old gelding by the name of Gentleman’s Code. He was sired by Proud Accolade. Mike
Smith rode Gentleman’s Code over the five furlongs in 58 seconds and 78th of seconds. He was sent off as the 1-6 favourite in the Folkestone where the winning margin was 1 3/4 length.
This might have been his first ride in England but it was not the only success the jockey enjoyed in Europe. He won the Irish 2000 Guineas aboard Fourstars Allstar in 1991. He made it to the headlines in Europe but was never offered to race there again.
However this year he did receive an offer from the Wesley Ward and he was tempted enough to go to Folkestone.
The U.S Hall of Fame Jockey had just ridden in the Preakness Stakes before his making his way to England. The 45 year old overly buoyant over the success exclaimed “It definitely was [worth coming], I feel like a kid again and I have been doing this for
30 years. I really enjoyed it and if I could come again I’d love to do it.”
Earlier Smith was denied entry to ride in England on Monday by the immigration red tape. The UK Border Agency restrained him from riding on Tuesday. They advised that such a move on his part would be a breach of his visa. Smith intended to represent Ward
in the Royal Ascot.
Gentleman’s Code was bred in Florida by Bridlewood Farm. He was bought at Ocala Breeder’s Sales Company 2010 Selective Yearlings by Riley James. His purchase price was $ 12,000. His profile has him second in the Belmont Park on May 5, 2011. This was his
first start of the year. He is listed as 8-1 from the Ladbrokes for the Norfolk Stakes. The grade Norfolk Stakes is raced on five furlong stakes is to take place on October. And he is quoted as 12-1 for the six furlong Coventry Stakes.
Wesley Ward savoured another success as his horse, Italo won at Longchamp on Thursday. The Florida bred was ridden by Jeffrey Sanchez. Ward has been able to cast a good impression on the bookmakers as his horses Strike the Tiger and Jealous Again struck
at the Royal Ascot in 2009.
Mike Smith was regular jockey to Zenyatta with whom he won the 2009 Breeder’s Cup Classic. Smith in his career has won more than 3823 races. He has also received the Woolf Award for his outstanding jockey services. His life time earnings are more than $
128 million. He was inducted into the racing hall of fame in 2003.
The Jockey Smith was also quoted saying that he may be able to ride for another five or six years and he wants to perform good in them.
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