The breeder one of the highest-ranking event sires of all time died peacefully at home last week (22 November) at the age of 86.
Archie Smith-Maxwell bred the Irish draught-thoroughbred stallion Jumbo, who evented to advanced level with Andrew Nicholson. His progeny include 2012 Burghley champion Avebury and triple 4-star winner Headley Britannia.
In 2010, Mr Smith-Maxwell was presented with awarded the British Equestrian Federation’s Meritoire award for a lifetime’s contribution to British sport horse breeding.
He was also a master of the Ledbury for a decade and was involved in the breeding of the hounds for more than 30 years.
His son Philip told H&H that he was a “great man” and that he had taken great pleasure in the week before his death in seeing his wedding present to his granddaughter Alexandra Dunn — a racehorse called Holy Veil — come in 4th at Wolverhampton.
