HAYDOCK Park was a fitting place for Michael Smith to show off his World Darts Championship trophy – with the racecourse having been his first ever sponsor.
‘Bully Boy’ claimed his first PDC world title in January with victory over Michael van Gerwen in an epic Alexandra Palace tussle, which in the process moved him to world number one.
The St Helens darter skipped a PDC event to bring his two sons, as well as his trophy, along to the Jockey Club racecourse on Grand National Trials Day, and there was no shortage of reminiscing for the 32-year-old.
He said: “I used to live around 10 minutes away from here and my new house is even closer. This is the only racecourse I’ve ever been to.
“Haydock Park was my first ever sponsor at darts. Back then, they set up a dartboard in the racecourse and I did like five hours of practice in there and people could come in and have a pint and have a chuck at the darts with me, so that would have been about 13 years ago. That was my first experience here.
“Whenever I’ve had time I’ll come along.”
It was a first trip to the racecourse for his two sons, Michael Jr and Kaspar, with Smith visiting as recently as last year, and has done when his schedule has allowed.
The day was also a rare outing for the PDC trophy, which is usually on show at the St Anne’s and Blessed Dominic Social Club in Sutton.
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It is there where Smith practices when not on the road, with the venue run by his mum and dad.
He added: “We’ve been really looking forward to today and I’ve got the kids with me for the first time.
“I should be in Barnsley playing a PDC event but meetings like this you don’t turn down.”
The afternoon also saw more than 4,000 students from across the North West attend Haydock Park, where they were entertained by top-quality racing on the track and a DJ and off of it.
The day’s feature race was won by Quick Wave ridden by Harry Bannister with Snow Leopardess in second.
Bristol De Mai, a legend of the Warrington Road track having won there six times in his career, was ridden round the course for the very last time by his jockey Daryl Jacob before being retired at the age of 12.
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