KZN Breeder Robin Scott has passed away.
A co-founder with his brothers Des and Neville of Highdown Stud in 1967, he was 86 and had been ill for some time.
The Scott Brothers name has featured at the highest level of South African racing and breeding for over half a century.
Robin Scott (photo: Candiese Marnewick)
As owners, their instantly recognisable silks of the black, white maltese cross, red sleeves and white cap were carried by many a champion, including July winners Illustrador and Devon Air.
Their breeding exploits, under the early influence of Eppie Nelson, at their Nottingham Road base of Highdown Stud are well documented, and include the great Durban July winner Politician , who won eleven Gr1 races during his illustrious career.
In later years the globe-trotting Gypsy’s Warning and The Apache flew the Scott flag.
A local and international Gr1 winner, The Apache represented a breeding dream that came full circle for Highdown Stud – with his 5th dam one of the founding mares of the famed farm in Nottingham Road.
While the Scott Brothers only started with a handful of mares, stallions were planned and their first was Kimberley Kid. The Benoni Guineas winner Diamond Prince came from his first crop.
They then also stood Ambiopoise and, the five and six times Champions Foveros and Jungle Cove, while in later years Mogok was their flagbearer.
Robin Michael Scott was born in Marianhill on 20 May 1935, and spent most of his early years at Isipingo Beach on the South Coast. He was educated at Durban High School.
His introduction to the industry was via Des Scott and his friend, the late George Rowles.
Robin and George were partners in their first racehorse and because of Robin’s interest in breeding he was introduced to Temmie Augustines who knew of a broodmare called Crashland, who was in foal to Bairam, that was for sale.
The colt foal was Knockwatch who won the Gr1 Clairwood Winter Handicap. That was the start of over 50 years of breeding winners at the highest level.
The Scott Brothers dispersal sale was held in July 2018.
Our condolences and deepest sympathies go out to Robin’s wife Joyce, and their children Genevieve, Russell and Stuart, and their broader families, during this very sad time.
