The Racing Life of Becky Smith
‘I shocked myself with my immediate retirement. I'm still on reflection time at the minute. In the latter years of my career, I was riddled with injury and it took so long to get back, which dampens it a little bit. To come back and ride a big winner since then was great,’ says Becky Smith. She is bubbly, with an equally infectious zest for life and love for racing.
Growing up in Morpeth in Leeds, Becky, 39, followed her big sister, Gemma Hogg, into racing and they both ended up working for Middleham-based trainer Micky Hammond. Aged 12, Becky started going to Micky’s in the school holidays. After a stint in Ireland, she returned to North Yorkshire.
The timeline of Becky’s career as a jockey is up there with many a top amateurs. Riding her first winner on Terenzium at the ‘Saints and Sinners night’ at Hamilton in June 2011. She tallied up 42 winners over jumps and 46 winners on the Flat, including the 2025 Queen Mother’s Cup at York on Chillingham and the champion amateur jockey in 2018. In August, she ended her fifteen-year riding career after winning on Stellamasterpiece, only deciding moments before she’d retire if victorious.
Staying put at long-time boss Micky Hammond’s, Becky has gone on the training license, under the banner New Acorn Racing. And they didn’t have to wait long before clocking up their first joint winner when Seeyouinthesuninn won at Perth this week, ridden by Becky’s partner, Alice Stevens. ‘The most perfect day,’ Becky summed up.
Becky owns a black and tan terrier, Mr Pea, who she describes as ‘the king’ and eighteen years young. ‘He rules the roost,’ she smiles ‘and I have a whippet puppy, an ex-racehorse and a pet goat, called Timmy, I bought when I was drunk at a funeral.’,
‘You haven’t asked me about my glitter ball,’ interjects Becky as the interview slid to a close. ‘That was one of my biggest achievements and my proudest trophy.’ Last November, Becky took to the stage at York Racecourse with Micky Hammond’s racing secretary Hayley Clements to win the inaugural Inkerman Trophy in Racing Come Dancing. The biggest racing names, interlaced with glitz and glamour, took to the stage. Becky spoke of the rushed preparation, Hayley stepping in late to be her dancing partner… ‘Despite crocked knees and sciatica, we learnt the jive. I still know the steps now but I’m not sure my knees would take it again.’
Be it riding in races, inimitably on a dancefloor or training racehorses, Becky will undoubtably give it her all. In her own words, ‘I’m always driving to do better.’
Did you have a horsey childhood? I don't have any family connections to racing. Dad was a rugby coach; Mum was an accountant. When Dad used to coach rugby on a Friday night, he got talking to the Pulleins, who ran the local riding school. At three, I was pretty much plonked on the back of a pony and screamed – and I was continued to be plonked on the back of a pony until I started to enjoy it! The Pullein Family really got us into the ponies and showing became our background.
Then I stopped riding for a little while because I played hockey to quite a high level, before an injury stopped that.
How did you get into racing? Georgie Pullein worked in racing for Sue and Harvey Smith and then for Micky Hammond. Gemma followed her footsteps, went to the Northern Racing College and to Micky’s, and has been there ever since. I followed in Gemma's footsteps.
To be honest, I got back into riding because my mum passed away when I was eighteen. I didn’t know where I was or what I wanted to do. I was offered a job with Paurick O’Connor, Derek O’Connor’s elder brother, working with breakers and pre-training. I didn’t come back for five years; I loved every minute and if the opportunity hadn’t come up to go back to Micky’s, I would probably still be there.
Becky winning on Stormin Norman
Trainers worked for: I have been at Micky Hammond’s full time for fifteen years.
In Ireland, Paurick O’Connor. I’ll give a shout out to John Staunton over there, who I rode my first winner pointing for. I also rode for Robert Tyner. Mike Brassil was great to give me my first ride on the track in an amateur Flat race on the same day as the Galway Plate, which was a great experience.
Over here, when I first came back, I rode out a bit for Kevin Ryan – to be fair, I’ve ridden out for a lot of people! I rode pointing Justin Landy and Marjorie Fife was a great supporter of mine early on.
When I was at the British Racing School doing my trainer’s modules, I rode out for Tom Clover and James Owen.
How did you reflect back on your career as a jockey? Winning the Ladies’ Derby at Epsom and riding my claim out on the same day was a highlight.
My favourite winner was the Ladies’ Ascot race for Micky on Carnival Zain. He was a great horse for me; I also won a ladies’ race at Chester on him.
You have to appreciate every winner, especially as an amateur. Through the opportunities I was given, I struck up some great partnerships. Like with Camillas Wish, I have to thank Richard Ford – he got me going against professionals over jumps, along with Micky. Richard He me my first ride over fences on Camillas Wish and I won four on her. I also won four on Justforjames, who I have in retirement. There are so many highlights to look back on.
I can't look back and regret anything – maybe without injuries, I could've got up to 100 winners but I had to take the injuries. I was second in an amateur championship a few times – could I have won one if I've gone pointing more and ridden in more hunter chases? Yet, I can't look back with regret – I have met friends for life and been so well looked after by the lads and girls in the weighing them. I've come out in one piece and mainly on my own terms and I've loved it. I wish I could've gone on forever because I love racing so much.
Racing hero: When I was a kid, I looked up to Carrie Ford when she rode in the Grand National as an amateur.
When I started riding, it was the Nina Carberrys of this world. I've always been a massive fan of Brian Hughes for his dedication, and commitment – he's just the ultimate pro. He has a fall and gets back on the next horse – he's had lots of injuries over the years – falls that I think he must be broken after but he pings up at the next racecourse. Brian rides for us quite a bit now, his feedback and mannerisms – everything about him – is simply brilliant. You can't not look up to him. I'm a big fan.
Now, I look up to any jockey that has kept going, has a stella career and dedication.
I rode in the same race as Rachel Blackmore when she had her first winner – I finished fourth. Little did we know she'd go on to be so successful but she just got her head down, road moderate horses, dedicated herself and waited her time.
Best day at Micky Hammond's so far: Cornerstone Lad winning the 2019 Fighting Fifth, beating Buveur D’Air. Henry Brooke lives three doors down from the yard and is a local lad and we couldn't have had a more magical day. That's what dreams are made of. Other days like the across the card double, one at York and a double at Hexham, were pretty cool for us.
And it's also days like lads having their first winners – little things like that Stormin Norman who I won on in his Market Rasen bumper by a nose the day we buried my dad and on of my late mum's birthday. He was my guy and was owned by a group of working-class lads bought the horse in memory of my dad and he turned out to be a superstar.
Favourite racecourses: I love Catterick, hence why it's quite fitting I retired there. I think I have the most winners around there. It's been a very lucky track for me – is local, friendly and I enjoyed riding round there whether it was on the Flat or over hurdles or fences.
After that, I love riding the Derby track of Epsom, Newbury is a beautiful track to ride and everyone loves riding at Ascot.
Favourite racehorses: Justforjames, Camillas Wish and Stormin Norman. Also, Carnival Zain gave me such a memorable day at Ascot.
Favourite jockey: I have to say Alice Stevens. We'd been friends for years and it just developed into more through our of love of the sport and we get on so well.
What are you looking forward to being on the license? Hopefully training more winners. If I could emulate what Micky has done, I'd be flying. But I also want to give back so I can do for someone else what Micky has done for me.
What do you love about working in racing? The horses. I’m that pathetic I could walk round the yard all day, petting the horses.
The people. I've met so many fantastic people in other yards. We're indirect competition on a daily basis but we'll do anything to help each other.
It's magical when a horse wins. After all this time, the winners never get dull. I get the same buzz with winners round lower grade tracks to the Saturday tracks.
What don't you love about working in racing? Losing a horse. A piece of my heart still gets torn out when one doesn't come home or something happens at home.
Best ever racing party: When I rode out my claim, I had a party in the local pub and people came from all over. In fact, I like throwing a party – when I won the Flat jockey’s championship, people came from miles and we were dancing on tables. It was rare as hell but it was fantastic.
How has working in racing changed for the better? Horse welfare has improved, like with the all-card trot-ups. Obviously, staff get looked after better at the racecourses. Jockeys have nutritionists and physios, and are treated like the elite athletes that they are – it's all there for them to be as successful as they want.
Are there any negatives? It’s perceived by the antis that racehorses on racecourses is cruel, which is never going to change. Racing has been around for hundreds of years and it's never been safer for the horses. Sometimes racing is still tarnished and the betting levy is worrying, but it will always be a betting sport so it’ll just have to keep figuring things out.
What type of boss is Micky Hammond? He's fantastic. He's very laid-back but is always pushing forward. If he's got something to say, he'll say it and then it's done. He's kind and I'm so privileged to be in the position that I'm in. We have a small team with a family atmosphere. Micky says good morning to everyone individually and gets to know everyone, which is nice. He’s a great trainer too.
Who has influenced you the most in racing? I don't thank my sister Gemma enough. She's been driving for the whole of my career – she even bought me a horse to run in the Cheltenham Foxhunters’ but he was a monkey; she's always gone above and beyond to do stuff for me but always in the background.
Favourite meal: I love a good steak.
Favourite drink: Aperol Spritz.
Favourite snack: I'm partial to Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
Favourite holiday destination: I love going to Portugal.
Favourite film: I love The Green Mile but it’s very sad.
Favourite music: My music taste is so sporadic. I'm at a rave one minute and crying to James Blunt the next, or I’m listening to Indie rock then to ABBA.
Favourite book: Now, I'm an audiobook type of girl. Back in the day, my favourite ever book was Dame Kelly Holmes’ Black, White and Gold: My Autobiography. It’s my favourite read and I've taken so much out of it. A friend gave me a signed copy for my 18th birthday and I still treasure it.
Other hobbies and interests: I've started playing golf. Alice went golfing with her sister and her sister’s husband, and encouraged me to go. I went with Tom our head lad and Charlie the farrier, then Alice and the brother-in-law… I'm hooked and it’s fun. Next summer, I'll have lessons. Like with any sport, if I'm not good, I don't want to do it so I plan to get better.
I love watching rugby league – I'm a huge Leeds Rhinos fan and I try to watch the odd Friday evening match. I also like watching F1 and football.
Good read good luck to Becky in her new role at micky