Melbourne Cup: Oldest living winner W.A. 'Billy' Smith has passed away on the Gold Coast

Australia's oldest surviving Melbourne Cup winning jockey W.A. “Billy” Smith has passed away on the Gold Coast just over a week after the race that etched his name into the history books.

AUSTRALIA’S oldest surviving Melbourne Cup winning jockey W.A. “Billy” Smith has passed away on the Gold Coast just over a week after the race that etched his name into the history books.

Smith, 92, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning due to age-related causes at Gold Coast Private Hospital.

The 1960 Melbourne Cup winner, born in Ballarat, left a lasting impact on the sport of racing and his community.

2nd November 2020. Melbourne cup winner Jockey William Smith talks about his win back in the day.Photo: Scott Powick

His loving wife Desley Smith and his daughter Karren Ryan issues a joint statement on Friday to honour their father and husband.

“An incredible life, an incredible man,” they said.

“He achieved it all, and gave so much to those around him, never losing sight of the most important people in his life - his family.”

A 50-1 outsider, Smith steered Hi Jinx to victory in 1960, narrowly edging out Howsie and Ilumquh.

The race remained a constant in Smith’s life and the Tiger Moth backer was said to be “bouncing around” on Cup day last Tuesday after his newfound media fame.

Mr Smith won many races over his 40-year career as a lightweight jockey, including the 1961 Caulfield Cup on Summer Fair.

Living on the Gold Coast since retiring in 1980, Mr Smith enjoyed spending time behind the bar at the Benowa Tavern and at the Wallaby Hotel in Mudgeeraba, providing tips for friend “Wallaby Bob” McMaster.

Racing Victoria chief executive Giles Thompson paid tribute to Smith’s legacy.

“On behalf of the Victorian racing industry, I would like to extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to Billy’s family and friends following the sad news of his passing,” Thompson said.

“Billy was an outstanding jockey who saw success all across Australian and international racetracks and his achievements in the saddle will long be remembered through his membership of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.”

Australian Jockeys Association chief executive Martin Talty said: “Billy was a highly respected and successful jockey who achieved at the highest level. On behalf of Australia’s jockeys, we pass on our deepest sympathies to Billy’s family at this sad time.” 

HIS STORY FROM NOVEMBER 2

W.A “Billy” Smith vividly remembers shooting down a quick conversation with a rival jockey shortly after steering Hi Jinx to victory in the 1960 Melbourne Cup.

The 50-1 outsider narrowly edged out Howsie and Ilumquh to win the great race. Champion Tulloch was seventh.

Lying on a bed at the Gold Coast Private Hospital this week, the oldest-surviving Cup winner remembers the first thing he said while on the track: “Howsie’s rider Purtell said to me ‘he didn’t give me much room’. I said ‘what are you whinging about’.”

Mr Smith, born in Ballarat, recalls returning home to Melbourne for the racing season in 1960 after spending a few years across the Tasman.

Leading into the race that stops a nation, Mr Smith had a handshake agreement to ride Aircraft despite trainer Trevor Knowles asking him to ride Hi Jinx.

2nd November 2020. Melbourne cup winner Jockey William Smith talks about his win back in the day.Photo: Scott Powick

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Even after a disappointing performance in the Caulfield Cup, Smith, a man of his word, couldn’t be persuaded to swap horses.

Then luck turned for the then 32-year-old.

“I came over from New Zealand to ride another horse, Aircraft. He went no good in the Caulfield Cup,” the Australian Racing Hall of Famer said.

“He bled on the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup and Knowles said I’m waiting until the last minute and he did.

“I had won on Hi Jinx previously, so he knew how I’d go.”

Billy Smith. The 1960 Melbourne Cup winning jockey. Copies of pictures of Billy at his Melbourne Cup win.

Aircraft was scratched from the Melbourne Cup field and Smith was able to ride Hi Jinx.

“It was a thrill riding her,” Mr Smith recalls.

Mr Smith picked the perfect time to win his one and only Melbourne Cup despite riding in the race 14 times. Hi Jinx won the Centenary Cup, for which the prize money doubled from £12,500 to £25,000.

Mr Smith, 92, won many races over his 40-year career as a lightweight jockey, including the 1961 Caulfield Cup on Summer Fair.

Living on the Gold Coast since retiring in 1980, Mr Smith enjoyed spending time behind the bar at the Benowa Tavern and at the Wallaby Hotel in Mudgeeraba, providing tips for friend “Wallaby Bob” McMaster.

More than 101,000 people were at Flemington the day he won on Hi Jinx. No one will be there today because of COVID-19.

On Tuesday he will watch the Melbourne Cup with family by his side at the Gold Coast Private Hospital cheering on his tip Tiger Moth.

2nd November 2020. Melbourne cup winner Jockey William Smith talks about his win back in the day.Photo: Scott Powick