Robin Scott

The SCOTT BROTHERS are very famous in the South African Horseracing Industry, both as owners, with their distinguished colours of black, white maltese cross, red sleeves and white cap, as well as for their breeding exploits at their Nottingham Road base of Highdown Stud. The Brothers, Robin, Des and Neville formed Highdown Stud almost half a century ago in 1967 and their breeding operation has gone from strength to strength. In their earlier years, Highdown bred the great Politician who won eleven Grade 1 races during his illustrious career whilst in recent years, the globe-trotting Gypsy’s Warning and The Apache have flown their flag at full-mast. As this weekend’s racing at Greyville pays tribute solely to KZN Breeder’s, We caught up with Robin Scott who shared with us his July fancy, his stud’s hopeful contenders in the big race and some enlightening achievements of a distinguished career at the helm of Highdown Stud.

 

What is your name? Robin Michael Scott.

What is your star sign and birthdate? Taurus. I was born on 20 May 1935.

Where were you born and where did you grow up?  I was born in Mariannhill, Durban and spent most of my life in Isipingo Beach on the South Coast.

 Where do you live? I lived mostly in Durban but for the last 20 years on Highdown in Nottingham Road.

 Tell us about your family?  My family consists of 2 boys, Russell and Stuart and my daughter Genevieve.

Favourite food?  Roast shoulder of lamb with crispy roast potatoes and veg.

Favourite drink?  J&B and soda.

Favourite music?  No real preference.

Favourite sport?  Rugby.

Favourite soccer team?  Manchester United.

Favourite holiday destination? Italy when time allows otherwise I can be happy and relaxed at Pennington on the South Coast.

Favourite author? I prefer autobiographies. 

Which characteristic about yourself do you like the most? I like to feel I’m genuine and approachable.

Is there anything the public don’t know about Robin Scott that they would be interested to know?  I don’t think so; I think you get what you see.

Where did you go to school? Durban High School.

What tertiary education did you attain? None.

How did you get involved in horseracing?  My brother Des was my influence in racing. He was involved before me in racing but my real interest was breeding and we, together with my brother Neville started Highdown.

What was your first position within the industry?  My first position in the industry was very eventful because my friend George Rowles and I were partners in my first racehorse and because of my interest in breeding he introduced me to Temmie Augustines who knew of a broodmare for sale. This was my first ever interest in breeding and the mares name was Crashland, in foal to Bairam. The colt was Knockwatch who won the Clairwood Winter Handicap Grade 1.

Who would you say has had the most influence on you when it comes to breeding? In our formative years Eppie Nelson.

The Scott Brothers are very famous when it comes to breeding in horseracing. Tell us about the partnership? The partnership of Scott Brothers is Des, Neville and Robin. Des and I were involved in the shoe business, Scott’s. Then John Rowles told us a farm next door to Ivanhoe was for sale. We purchased it and our brother Neville a farmer was introduced as our partner to establish the business. I have to say every building, tree, pasture, fence etc. was planned and developed by Neville, quite an undertaking.

In which year did you’ll form Highdown Stud and where is it situated?  Highdown was established in 1967, 46 years ago and is situated in Nottingham Road in the Natal Midlands.

How many stallions and mares did the stud start with?  We only had 6 mares and no stallions when we started.

Tell us about the current composition of stallions and mares? We have six stallions and recently stand The Middle Park Stakes winner Crusade who starts his career this season for the Natal Breeders Syndicate and 150 broodmares.

Who was the first stallion you had on the farm and how successful was he?  The first stallion on the farm was Kimberley Kid. We asked John Breval to approach Mr & Mrs Oppenheimer to allow King Willow the July winner to become our first stallion, but he strongly advised Kimberley Kid as a better individual and sire prospect. He was correct and the Benoni Guineas winner Diamond Prince came from his first crop.

Tell us about some of the more successful stallions Highdown has had?  The most successful stallions were Ambiopoise and, 5 and 6 times Champion Sire’s Foveros and Jungle Cove.

Mention a few of the top horses that have come out of Highdown Stud? A few of the top horses coming out of Highdown were Arctic Cove, Politician, Bold West, Jungle Class and more recently The Apache and Orbison. Champion sand Horse Meadow Magic and, before being exported, Eton Square.

How many Grade 1 winners have you bred? Never kept a stat on Grade 1 winners but Politician won 11 Grade 1 races on his own.

How many other graded winners have you bred?  No idea how many graded winners but over the years we have had our fair share and hopefully there will be a few more to come.

Have you ever bred the winner of any of the country’s three prestigious races i.e. J & B Met, July or Summer Cup?  We have bred winners of all three prestigious races with Politician winning the July and two Mets and Arctic Cove the Met.  Also in ownership we won the July with Devon Air and Illustrador. For the last three years we have placed in the July with The Apache, Orbison and Eton Square.

The stud’s most recent success story must be the stallion Mogok. Tell us about him, his pedigree, his career as a racehorse and how and when did you acquire him? My brother Des and French Bloodstock agent Bernard St Seine purchased Mogok at a dispersal sale of the Niarchos family horses in France. He was unraced and his pedigree was outstanding. He is by legendary Storm Cat who stood in America for $500 000 Stud Fee out of probably the strongest female line in the stud book. Probably the strongest pedigree of the Niarchos band of illustrious mares. He is a half-brother to Machiavellian and his 3rd dam is Natalma, dam of Northern Dancer. Certainly the best stallion in the world of his time and probably of all time.

How many mares does he average in a year?  Mogok averages between 100 and 120 mares per season.

Has Mogok got any foals on the ground that look really promising?  We have 33 foals on the ground by Mogok and some interesting ones, especially the 3 parts sister to Gypsy’s Warning.

What have been some of the better mares that have been to him in recent years?  The better mares sent to Mogok in recent years are Apache Rose (The Apache), Blue Bayou (Orbison), Jump Ahead (Intellectual), Stirrup Cup (Hunting Tower), Josey Wood (Ingleside), Royal Promise (Mogok’s Desire) and Meadow Rhumba (Meadow Magic).

What is the service fee for Mogok? The service fee of R20 000 has remained the same for the past three years, despite his achievements, in order that Natal Breeders may use an accomplished stallion at an affordable fee.

How rewarding was it for the stud to see Mogok named as one of the world’s top ten stakes earners?  Unbelievable. This was like receiving a Knighthood for the stallion. The top nine stakes earners represented the who’s who of the world’s best stallions. Of course credit is due to his good performance in the Dubai Carnival and congratulations to Mike de Kock for this great achievement.

Mention some of the top performers that he has produced over the years? Mogok’s top performers include Gypsy’s Warning for Group 1 wins both locally and in the USA. Orbison Grade 1 winner. The Apache multiple Grade 1 and Grade 2 winner and Grade 1 second place in Dubai. Meadow Magic crowned the best horse on sand in SA.

Does Mogok have any progeny for sale at the upcoming Suncoast Yearling Sales to be held on the 4^th & 5^th July?  Mogok has 5 yearlings on the Suncoast Sale.

How many yearlings will Highdown Stud have up for sale? Highdown will be represented by 19 yearlings. 

Is it fair to say that his son THE APACHE has firmly put Mogok on the map. Tell us about him and did you’ll always rate him highly?  The Apache has certainly helped Mogok’s prominence as a sire but Gypsy’s Warning was the first indication of his prowess.

Which sale was he sold at and how much was he sold for? The Apache sold at the National Sales for R80 000.

Did you have the pleasure of watching him race live overseas? I did not attend his overseas campaign.

The Apache is still an entire so will be bound for stud duties soon. Is there any chance that he will be returning to Highdown Stud?  I have no idea what the future plans are for The Apache.

Tell us about the team that assists you on the farm? We have a dedicated team with both management and grooms directly involved in breeding and raising yearlings, not forgetting the dedicated agricultural team involved in feed productions and maintenance, an equally important aspect of the business.

Tell us about the facilties on the farm, for example stables etc.? The farm is well facilitated having 177 stables and 6 stallion paddocks and 500 hectares of arable land divided into 40 large camps providing free movement of all breeding stock especially foals and yearlings.

Which trainers visit the farm to come and see the youngsters? We have visits from a large percentage of Natal trainers and other centres when their business brings them to Natal.

Do you own any horses yourself and if so, name some of the horses you own? I do own a number of horses in training, mostly in Natal but also in the Cape and Gauteng. Orbison is best known of these, others are mostly young two and three year olds when we kept shares at sales to assist owners and trainers.

Is your brother, Des, still involved in the stud with you? My brother Des is my partner in the Stud and is still very much involved. 

The KZN BREEDERS MILLION MILE will be run this weekend at Greyville. How many representatives will Highdown Stud have in this race? I am not sure if we will have a runner in the KZN Million Mile, but have a few nominated.

Have you been in contact with their respective trainer’s and if so, what chance do they give their runners in the race?  I have not discussed the chances of any possible runners.
The Vodacom Durban July takes place next weekend. Do you think that Highdown Stud will have a representative in the race?  We have two hopefuls for the Vodacom Durban July, E-Jet and Wild One, but they might not get into the final field.

What is your early fancy for the race and what do you make of the three-year old crop? I like last year’s winner Pomodoro, although the conditions for the race favour 3 year olds. I do not think this year is a vintage crop.

How do you decide on your season’s matings? A lot of time is spent on deciding on mating’s, using split pedigree, and line breeding methods is my preferred option.

If the import-export controls are relaxed how will this affect you as a breeder? It goes without saying that the opening of our market will grow the industry to a great extent. Mike de Kock through his endeavours has accomplished an awareness and subsequent market for South African horses, to what extent is incalculable in real monetary terms. The equivalent marketing would cost millions. Thanks to his competitiveness a market has been established, all that is required now is the relaxation of Import/Export controls and our breeding industry will grow tenfold.

The Scott Brothers open day at Highdown is an annual affair attended to by most KZN trainers and owners. Tell us about the day and what affect it has on your sales?  Through the years we have had many yearling and stallion Days where we promote our stock and stallions which are attended by many prospective clients, trainers, friends and media.

How important do you think newspaper and magazine coverage is to the success of your stud operation? Having a retail background I do believe advertising has an integral part to play in the success of any business.

Which forms of media does the stud advertise in?  The Stud advertises in the Sporting Post or other media that has a racing or breeding audience.

You have had a really chequered career. What would you say are the highlights of your career? The opening with my mother of our first shoe shop in Berea Road, Durban and breeding a Group 1 winner from my first mare are probably my highlights.

What ambitions do you still have for yourself on a personal basis and for your stud? When you have been in the business for a long time you do not really have ambitions except hopes and aspirations that you come up with another good horse is what your expectations are and we keep trying.

Does the old maxim, “Behind every successful man is an equally successful woman,” apply to Robin Scott? Yes, my wife Joyce is still involved in daily office routine and in charge of her excellent catering and entertaining, which many an owner and trainer will attest to.