OFF THE RECORD #99

Youth, talent, and tradition
Dean Smith takes the reins at legendary stable

Above: Dean Smith (image: JC Photographics)

At just 25, Dean Smith has stepped into one of the most demanding roles in South African racing. Following the sudden passing of his father, renowned trainer Gavin Smith, Dean has officially taken over the family’s powerful racing yard. Having served as Gavin’s assistant for several years, he brings hands-on experience and maturity beyond his age. We caught up with Dean to talk about his journey so far, the challenges of sudden responsibility, and his plans for the future.

Dean’s journey into training wasn’t something his father had planned. In fact, Gavin tried to steer him away from the sport, encouraging him instead to pursue his academic interests in maths and science.

Gavin cited the constant stress of a seven-day workweek as reason enough for his son to consider another path, but the lure of the stables proved irresistible. As a fourth-generation Smith horseman (following great-grandfather Andrew, grandpa Andy and Gavin), Dean was naturally drawn to the racing world, so much so that he could barely wait to leave school on Fridays, rushing straight to the track to watch his father’s runners in action.

In 2024, Gavin was diagnosed with melanoma cancer which spread to his lungs and then into his hips and spine. He was forced to step back from his daily duties for the latter part of 2024 and most of 2025, but had responded well to target therapy and was positive in the weeks before his death on Sunday, 19 October. Dean said: “The doctors were happy. My dad was in remission, and he seemed optimistic. But all the medication and treatment must have taken its toll. Tragically, he died of a heart attack.”

With Gavin’s guidance, Dean and his team continued to churn out the winners for Smith Racing, who concluded the 2024/5 season with a tally of 116 and a customary Top 10 finish on the National Log. At the time of his passing, the stable was in the Top 5 for the 2025/6 season with 26 wins on the board.

Dean said: “My dad came to stables only a few times a month during his Illness. He gave me free rein, but kept a watchful eye. I had opportunities to experiment with a few of my own ideas, but always with his blessing. We’d spoken about Zatara Magic a few months ago, I told him I had the horse coming to his peak and that we’d win the Listed Algoa Cup. When he won on 31 October it was a very emotional moment for all of us.”

Dean spoke to Gavin for the last time on the morning of Saturday, 18 October. He recalled: “I wanted to pick him up on the way to our stables for the day’s training, but he asked to stay indoors. He said he wasn’t feeling all that well. The next day, he was gone.”

Among the many lessons Dean learned from his father, he singled out three as most important: meticulous attention to detail, keeping a close eye on a horse’s breathing, and resisting the urge to overwork a horse that already has proven talent.

Attention to detail is the first weapon in any top trainer’s armoury. It begins with performing the fundamentals of horsemanship and stable management over and over again – without ever losing sharp focus to the mundanity of routine. This means checking leavings, feed portions, and water buckets; maintaining strict cleanliness and hygiene; adhering to morning schedules; keeping good records; and closely observing every horse in the yard.

“My dad always stressed the importance of breathing — listening carefully to how a horse breathes after a workout,” Dean explained. “The fitter they get, the less they blow, but to get accurate measures on breathing you have to know every horse inside out. There are no shortcuts. Some horses, like our own Cheeky Laddie, blow heavily even when they’re fully fit, so you assess their condition in other ways – by the darkness that develops around their eyes, their eating habits, their coat, and so on.”

Thirdly – a skill that develops with experience – is knowing when to trust the natural ability of talented runners. Dean explained: “There’s always a temptation to work a very fit, capable horse one time too many just before a race, often just to satisfy your own curiosity about its readiness. But that’s when horses can be ‘overcooked’ and end up running below their best.”

We didn’t ask Dean to reveal all of the master trainer’s methods – there are plenty he’s already learned, and undoubtedly many more he will discover himself in the years to come. He said: “I do a lot of research, I like to read and follow social media postings and interviews with the world’s best trainers, like Aidan O’Brien. There is everything to gain by doing that. I’ve been using some new vitamins and supplements, specifically addressing problem areas like gut health. There are always new developments to take note of.”

Dean is hands-on when it comes to the stable’s social media presence, personally managing their Facebook and Instagram accounts. “Our public image and interaction with punters are important to me,” he said. “Whenever I skip posting our runner advice on Facebook on Fridays, I get 30 or 40 messages on my phone. It’s not about tipping; it’s about staying in touch with the racing public and giving them some insight into the stable, which is essential these days.”

Dean’s ambitions are no different from those of any other trainer in the country – to win the major races, which is always a challenge for trainers from the Eastern Cape. More immediately, however, his focus is on serving the yard’s loyal owners, staying competitive, and settling properly into his role as the official new face of Smith Racing.

Above:  Kingdundee (Craig Zackey), with Dean and Jessica, and groom Thabiso (image: Pauline Herman)

The traditional rivalry for regional dominance with fellow trainer Alan Greeff will continue. “We have 115 horses in the yard at the moment, seldom more than 130,” Dean said. “The Greeff yard always has big firepower, but we enjoy the competition. We have a few runners worth taking to the big centres, including Kingdundee, Instaworthy, and All Systems Go. We may have one or two at Turffontein on Betway Summer Cup Day.”

Four-year-old Kingdundee is one to watch closely. The son of The United States recently received high praise from jockey Craig Zackey, and Dean noted: “We hope to go to Kenilworth for the Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship, and next year’s Grade 1 Computaform Sprint on the Highveld is also a possibility.”

Fresh-faced and energetic, Dean, along with his partner Jessica Parker, embodies the youthful spirit racing needs. With his practical approach and natural confidence, he brings a vibrancy to racing that has the potential to attract a new generation of followers, both in his hometown of Gqeberha and beyond.

Above: One of the last photos of Dean and Gavin Smith, taken at Maitland Beach on 1 February, 2025 (image: Pauline Herman)