Latest news with #ElDoradoDreaming
Sky News AU
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Sky News AU
Horse racing community rocked by death of Group 1-winning trainer Ben Smith, 42, as he neared the end of 13-month ban
The Australian racing community has been rocked by the death of 'widely respected' Newcastle-based horse trainer Ben Smith, who has died aged 42. Newcastle Police are investigating the cause of his death, though it is believed there are no suspicious circumstances, Racenet reported. News of his death came near the end of a 13-month ban that was imposed on Mr Smith and one of his horses that tested positive to banned substances. A New South Wales Police spokesman confirmed to that a 42-year-old man was found dead at a hotel in the Newcastle suburb of Carrington about 12.30pm on Monday. Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner, a spokesperson said. Mr Smith was well-known in the New South Wales training community and had collected a number of accolades, including Group 1 race victories in 2018 with horses In Her Time and El Dorado Dreaming. Provincial Racing NSW took to social media on Monday night to pass on condolences to Mr Smith's friends and family. 'Originally from Scone, Ben forged a strong career from his base at Newcastle Racecourse where he tasted both G1 & G2 successes with champion mare In Her Time,' a post on the organisation's Facebook page said. 'In his 14 year training career he prepared 93 winners & 154 placegetters from his 747 starters. He was widely respected among his peers in the racing industry & will be sadly missed. RIP Ben.' 'Way too young to be lose your life. Condolences to your family. RIP Ben,' one of the comments read. Smith was previously banned for three months as he readied In Her Time for The Everest race in 2018, having been found guilty of cobalt and conduct charges by Racing NSW. He returned to racing in 2022 before being handed a 13-month ban in May 2024. Smith had been charged with two separate offences, which included the use of a banned substance while handling a horse. A blood sample from one his horses, Arale, had tested postive to having the anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam in its system following a victory at Canterbury racecourse last year. If you or anyone you know needs help: Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 Lifeline – 13 11 14 Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Aussie sport mourns racing star who died aged just 42 while serving ban over drug use
The Australian racing community is mourning the death of trainer Ben Smith, who was just 42. It comes as Smith's 13-month ban from the sport - after he and one of his horses tested positive to a banned drug - was drawing to a close. Daily Mail Australia understands there are no suspicious circumstances behind Smith's death. Based in Newcastle, Smith was highly regarded among fellow NSW trainers. His greatest achievements were winning Group 1 races in 2018 with In Her Time (The Galaxy) and El Dorado Dreaming (ATC Sires Produce Stakes). Smith's training career was then sensationally put on hold after he was issued with a three year-nine month ban after being found guilty of cobalt and conduct charges by Racing NSW stewards. Smith resumed his training in late 2022 - but again was soon in strife with stewards, hit with a 13-month ban in May last year. It followed Smith himself - and one of his horses - testing positive to banned substances. Racing NSW stewards charged Smith with two separate offences, one of which was for the use of a banned substance while handling a horse. MORE TO COME or Beyond Blue: 1300 224 635
Herald Sun
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Horse racing news: Group 1-winning trainer Ben Smith dead at 42, In Her Time, El Dorado Dreaming
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Newcastle racing community is in mourning after the passing of trainer Ben Smith. He was 42. Newcastle police are investigating the cause of Smith's death but it is understood there are no suspicious circumstances. Smith was nearing the end of a 13-month ban after he and one of his horses tested positive to banned substances and his death has shocked his many friends in the racing industry. Smith was a rising star in the NSW training ranks and won Group 1 races in 2018 with In Her Time (The Galaxy) and El Dorado Dreaming (ATC Sires Produce Stakes). In Her Time was being readied for the world's richest turf race, the 2018 The Everest, when Smith's training career was put on hold after he was hit with a three year-nine month ban after being found guilty of cobalt and conduct charges by Racing NSW stewards. Smith resumed his training in late 2022 but again struck trouble with stewards and was hit with a 13-month ban in May last year, when he and one of his horses tested positive to banned substances. Racing NSW stewards charged Smith with two separate offences, one of which was for the use of a banned substance while handling a horse. He was given a 12-month ban, reduced to nine months for the offence, while he received a further four-month suspension after one of his runners, Arale, tested positive for an anti-inflammatory drug. A pre-race blood sample from Arale found the mare to have meloxicam in her system after she won at Canterbury last year. Arale was subsequently disqualified from the race. Smith trained 17 winners in his comeback 2023-24 season and appeared to have his career back on track before incurring a second lengthy stewards ban. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
News.com.au
12-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Horse racing world mourns death of Group 1-winning trainer Ben Smith, aged 42
The Newcastle racing community is in mourning after the passing of trainer Ben Smith. He was 42. Newcastle police are investigating the cause of Smith's death but it is understood there are no suspicious circumstances. Smith was nearing the end of a 13-month ban after he and one of his horses tested positive to banned substances and his death has shocked his many friends in the racing industry. Smith was a rising star in the NSW training ranks and won Group 1 races in 2018 with In Her Time (The Galaxy) and El Dorado Dreaming (ATC Sires Produce Stakes). In Her Time was being readied for the world's richest turf race, the 2018 The Everest, when Smith's training career was put on hold after he was hit with a three year-nine month ban after being found guilty of cobalt and conduct charges by Racing NSW stewards. Smith resumed his training in late 2022 but again struck trouble with stewards and was hit with a 13-month ban in May last year, when he and one of his horses tested positive to banned substances. Racing NSW stewards charged Smith with two separate offences, one of which was for the use of a banned substance while handling a horse. He was given a 12-month ban, reduced to nine months for the offence, while he received a further four-month suspension after one of his runners, Arale, tested positive for an anti-inflammatory drug. A pre-race blood sample from Arale found the mare to have meloxicam in her system after she won at Canterbury last year. Arale was subsequently disqualified from the race. Smith trained 17 winners in his comeback 2023-24 season and appeared to have his career back on track before incurring a second lengthy stewards ban.
News.com.au
12-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Newcastle racing community mourns death of Group 1-winning Ben Smith, 42
The Newcastle racing community is in mourning after the passing of trainer Ben Smith. He was 42. Newcastle police are investigating the cause of Smith's death but it is understood there are no suspicious circumstances. Smith was nearing the end of a 13-month ban after he and one of his horses tested positive to banned substances and his death has shocked his many friends in the racing industry. Smith was a rising star in the NSW training ranks and won Group 1 races in 2018 with In Her Time (The Galaxy) and El Dorado Dreaming (ATC Sires Produce Stakes). • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! In Her Time was being readied for the world's richest turf race, the 2018 The Everest, when Smith's training career was put on hold after he was hit with a three year-nine month ban after being found guilty of cobalt and conduct charges by Racing NSW stewards. Smith resumed his training in late 2022 but again struck trouble with stewards and was hit with a 13-month ban in May last year, when he and one of his horses tested positive to banned substances. • Racing NSW stewards charged Smith for two separate offences, one of which was for the use of a banned substance while handling a horse. He was given a 12-month ban, reduced to nine months for the offence, while he received a further four-month suspension after one of his runners, Arale, tested positive to an anti-inflammatory drug. A pre-race blood sample from Arale found the mare to have meloxicam in her system after she won at Canterbury last year. Arale was subsequently disqualified from the race. Smith trained 17 winners in his comeback 2023-24 season and appeared to have his career back on track before incurring a second lengthy stewards ban.
