This week we had the pleasure of speaking to 22-year-old Dean Smith, son of recently-crowned Eastern Cape Champion Conditioner, Gavin Smith. Dean’s father is sponsored by Hollywoodbets and is a well-known trainer.
Assistant trainer Dean Smith, alongside jockey Raymond Danielson and dad, Gavin Smith. (Pic – Pauline Herman Photograph)
Both Dean and Gavin are looking forward to the upcoming sale, and Dean confirmed that their syndicate will be purchasing a horse at the sales.
Dean was born in Gqeberha, where he attended Grey High School. He matriculated in 2018, and thereafter he dedicated all his time to horseracing – and learning from his dad.
Dean’s sister, Abbi, is married to jockey JP van der Merwe. Dean has a half-brother, Tyler Annandale, and two step siblings – Jordan Lee and Rebecca Lee.
“I did alright at school, however the horses were always a big distraction – I knew that was my passion,’’ Dean said.
A typical Friday would always involve racing. Dean and his friends would watch horseracing and take side bets. Dean grew up in a household with horseracing, and from a young age he had an inclination for sports – he played rugby, cricket, water polo and hockey.
“I enjoyed rugby the most!” Dean adds.
When asked about passions, aspirations and ambitions, Dean’s immediate response was: “My passion is obviously horseracing, as I really enjoy what I’m doing at the moment and couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Another one of Dean’s passions is playing golf with his mates during his free time.
He currently works for his father – trainer Gavin Smith. His current role is assistant trainer to his dad.
“I do most of the marketing and sales, I run our website and Facebook page. I do the feed programmes for the horses and help my Dad with the work schedules, nominations, wrapping horses’ legs, breaking in the babies and the list goes on!”
He is determined to follow in the footsteps of both his Dad and famous Grandad, and he has set his goal to be a phenomenal and successful trainer within the next 5 years. Dean has the motivation to make his dreams a reality.
“We are looking so forward to the sales, it’s always a very rewarding experience – we cannot wait to see our customers and colleagues there’’
A quote that Dean Smith lives by:
“If you are afraid of failure, you don’t deserve to be successful” – Charles Barkley
Have Your Say - *Please Use Your Name & Surname*
Comments Policy
The Sporting Post encourages readers to comment in the
spirit of enlightening the topic being discussed, to add opinions or correct
errors. All posts are accepted on the condition that the Sporting Post can at
any time alter, correct or remove comments, either partially or entirely.
All posters are required to post under their actual name and surname - no anonymous posts or use of pseudonyms will be accepted. You can adjust your display name on your account page or to send corrections privately to the Editor. The Sporting Post will not publish comments submitted anonymously or under pseudonyms.
Please note that the views that are published are not necessarily those of the Sporting Post.
Peter Pascoe
Joáo Da Mata
Gavin Kroutz
karel miedema
Michael Jacobs
He is an amazing inspirational young man.
Aim for the stars Dean