Brough Scott: A Man of Many Talents

Born John Brough Scott on the 12th December 1942. Brough was the presenter of Channel 4 Racing for thirty years. 

Personally, I always remember when I got the racing bug that would be my Saturday in front of the television sorted watching him talk with such passion about horse racing. 

That’s just one of the many things he’s done in an amazing career which has seen him honoured with an MBE in the Queen's Birthday honours list in 2009 and front other racing programmes including the ITV Seven and a brief spell presenting football on Channel 5. Brough has also been a journalist for newspapers including the Sunday Times, Independent On Sunday and Sunday Telegraph in which he won Sports Feature Writer Of The Year three times. 

Let’s not forget the many books he has written over the years including Henry Cecil Trainer Of Genius, Galloper Jack and an updated version of his Grandfather's book Warrior: The Amazing Story Of a Real War Horse.

If that wasn’t enough in one career, I haven't even mentioned he was a jockey who rode over a 100 winners!

Brough, how long have you been involved in horse racing? 

When I was a kid my Dad had a magazine at the beginning of the year “Racehorses of 1950” (or a date around then.) That got me interested and I have. 

If you weren't involved in horse racing what would you have done? 

Probably started with Whitbreads where my Dad worked. 

As a jockey you rode over a 100 winners do you have any standout wins? 

My greatest moment was winning the Imperial Cup on my third day back from a broken arm which was still in a special cast. 

As a presenter of Channel 4 racing for over 30 years, you must have had some great times?

The two best days were Lester Piggott’s Breeders Cup and Desert Orchid’s Whitbread. 

Has racing changed much over the years and if so do you think it's for the better? 

Many things are much better. Fitness of horses and jockeys, safety and medical arrangements for jockeys and veterinary support, communication on the track and off it; but at the same time racing has slid a long way down.

Naturally, you have met many legends of the racing world over the years who was a real character that you always enjoyed interviewing? 

When Steve Cauthen first arrived he was an absolute revelation. 

Your all-time top three horses? 

Arkle, Nijinsky and Desert Orchid.

You was appointed an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours list in 2009 has this been the highlight of your career? 

It was a great honour but the highlights have been the big days on TV and in print – like Dancing Brave’s Arc and Barry McGuigan’s defeat in Las Vegas which I covered for The Sunday Times.

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

Go exploring with my grandchildren. 

Any horses you are looking forward to seeing this season?  

Tiger Roll in The National.

Favourite racecourse and why? 

Cheltenham – because it was I started out as a jockey at Frenchy Nicholson right next to the course. 

Thanks to Brough Scott for taking the time to answer a few questions for my blog.

Visit Brough Scott's Website

Twitter: @broughscott

Vintage Footage of Brough Scott 

(GREAT VIDEO)