The racing community is grieving following the death of trainer Ben Smith at the age of 42.
Local police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his passing, though it is understood there are no suspicious circumstances involved.
Smith’s sudden death has deeply impacted friends and colleagues across the racing industry. He was nearing the completion of a 13-month suspension related to a horse in his care using banned substances.
A prominent figure in the New South Wales training ranks, Smith had a breakthrough year in 2018, claiming Group 1 success with In Her Time in The Galaxy and El Dorado Dreaming in the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes.
In Her Time was being prepared for the inaugural running of the The Everest later that year when Smith’s career was derailed. He received a ban of three years and nine months after Racing NSW stewards found him guilty of charges related to cobalt use and professional misconduct.
After serving his initial suspension, Smith resumed training duties in late 2022. However, his return was short-lived. In May 2023, he was handed a 13-month ban after testing positive for banned substances again — both personally and in one of his horses.
Among the charges laid by Racing NSW stewards was the use of a prohibited substance while handling a horse. For that offence, Smith received a 12-month ban, later reduced to nine months. An additional four-month suspension followed after his mare Arale tested positive to the anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam.
Arale had been disqualified from her win at Canterbury after a pre-race blood sample returned the positive result.
Despite his setbacks, Smith had trained 17 winners during the 2023-24 season and appeared to be rebuilding his career before his latest ban. His passing has left a void in the tight-knit Newcastle racing community.
