BULLY BOY TACTICS

Former world darts champ now having a shot at racing ownership

- BY DAVID YATES

WHAT is it about Michael Smith and a raucous sporting arena?

In January 2023, Smith was the toast of a cacophonous Alexandra Palace after beating Michael van Gerwen in the final of the PDC World Darts Championship.

Now the 34-year-old is taking aim at the Cheltenham Festival after becoming a racehorse owner.

"It would be unbelievable to have a runner," says 'Bully Boy', with fellow arrowsmith Chris Dobey a member of Hip Flask Racing, a syndicate co-founded by the pair's manager Mark Pritchard.

"The buzz of seeing a horse you own run is amazing, even more so when they cross that line in first place, and hopefully we can be there as owners one day."