Sport
10 November, 2026
Western Racing Report: Vale John Smith
John Smith who dedicated much of his life to Gilgandra Jockey Club and racing in the western area of New South Wales, aged 87, passed away last week at Gilgandra.
For a combined total of 98 years, John and his wife the late Kate Smith served Gilgandra Jockey Club as Secretary and treasurer while John Smith for more than 10 years was the Secretary of the Western Racing Association when the head office was located at Gilgandra and In more recent years John Smith was the betting steward in the western area.
Kate Smith and John Smith had numerous wins with horses they owned with most of them trained at Nyngan by Rodney Robb, including Quiet Ways the winner of a McKechnie Cup at Gilgandra.
Following the retirement of Rodney Robb, the trainer has been Kieren Hazelton at Gilgandra with the last runner for John Smith being the day before his passing when Big Shot Legend finished third at Dubbo.