I have no doubt he will after yet another consistent season in 2019.
George, how long have you been involved in horse racing?
Since I left School in 2008 I went straight to work for Paul Nicholls and then progressed through from Mark Tompkins to Michael Bell then did a stint in America then worked for Lady Cecil at Warren Place and then started training horses four years ago.
If you weren't a trainer what would you have done?
I quite enjoy the idea of working in the city, a couple of my best mates work as traders and the excitement and energy they put in look fun although the reality is I would hate it. My father is a farmer, again it would be a nice idea to go farming but there's no competitiveness being a farmer and that's what we enjoy most, tough question but would probably go to the city.
Do you feel a lot of pressure training horses or is it a relaxed career that you enjoy all the time?
Definitely, feel pressure when the horses are running badly and the bills are a bit tight but generally really enjoy it, overall it's a fantastic life but really only when the horses are running well and the owners are happy.
If you could train any horse in history who would it be and why?
I would probably train American Pharoah in America to win the Triple Crown, I thought he was an incredible horse, and I was at Belmont when he won the third leg of his Triple Crown which was really amazing and it was an amazing event, he looks like he's going to be a fantastic stallion as well.
Do you have a favourite horse in the yard?
My favourite horse in the yard would probably be Moll Davis who is a filly we are looking forward to seeing next year and she's definitely one of my favourites and we have an old lead horse called Phosphorescence who has been with us since day one and he would be another one of my favourites for different reasons.
What's been the highlight of your career so far?
Definitely running in the Breeders Cup. It was a fantastic occasion even though we didn't get much luck in running but James Garfield overall has been my career highlight - him winning the Mill Reef but ending up in the Breeders Cup was pretty exciting.
A typical day in the life of George Scott?
Get up at 5.50 a.m. I get into work as the first lot pulls out at 7.00 a.m. We have four lots in the morning and finish at 12.30. Then I go home have lunch, generally, have a sleep, come back for evening stables or go racing.
I finish work at 6 or go racing. Then there's a lot of time on the phone in between sending messages to owners or talking to owners or sending pictures, then looking at form, so it's pretty busy inside and outside the yard.
If you could win any race before you retired, what would it be and why?
Definitely be the Derby, it's an iconic race not only in this country but around the world. I don't think any race in this country gets near to the significance and prestige of the Derby, so I would love to win the Derby.
How is James Garfield?
He's good, he got a nice amount of mares in his first cover around 85, and they are very happy with him he's very fertile, and we are looking forward to training some of his progeny.
See, James Garfield's racecourse results.
[Craig] I love watching the 2-year-olds progress over the year.
It's early days but do you have a nice bunch for next season and hopefully another James Garfield?
Yes, we have a really nice bunch of yearlings this year we have got our biggest number of yearlings, I think we have about 35 and we spent some good money at the sales. I have also been sent some nice homebred so am really optimistic about this bunch, its really early days I don't really have a stand out horse at the moment but there is a horse called Punta Arenas by Quality Road that's been given a Derby entry and is a quality animal, the sire is absolutely flying in America and he's out of a mare called Absolute Crackers who was in his low 90s for Jessica Harrington, he's got a nice pedigree and I like that.
What do you do to relax when you get the time?
I like to go and have lunch or dinner with friends and my wife and love all sports so watch a lot of sports, football, rugby, cricket anything.
Any nice horses for next season or on the all-weather over the winter that my readers can follow?
Earth And Sky has been pretty consistent and has already won a couple of races this year and can continue to progress and Lyndon B is going to Dubai and is really well after giving him a break after winning at Sandown I think he could be a really competitive horse.
Thanks to George Scott for his time and good luck for the future.
Visit George Scott's website.
Twitter: @georgeoscott
Facebook Page
👀 Take a moment to have a look round our fantastic new home Eve Lodge. With an indoor ride, treadmill, turnout and staff accommodation we have lots to look forward to in 2020. pic.twitter.com/ZBOwFCSyVk— George Scott (@georgeoscott) November 3, 2019
Photographs:
1) George Scott Breeders' Cup 2017
2) Jame Garfield
Great post. Very good read. Wishing connections the best for the new season.
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