SALTIRE SATIRE: SCOTTISH RACING HISTORY By Eddie Elwood.
Racing, once the highly esteemed 'Sport of Kings', is reaching a phenomenal level North of the border in Scotland. In fact, Scottish racing is so popular that it's worthy of it's very own classification within the sports field. Our racing calendar revolves around many of the country's top events...the Derbies!
As a small nation, we boast no fewer than eight racetracks; Ayr, Musselburgh, Hamilton, Perth, Kelso, Largs, Portobello and Dunoon. Most racing fans live for the BIG race days...The Scottish Grand National at Ayr, The Dunoon Cup and the three separate Derby meetings at Musselburgh, Portobello and Largs.
Jockey styles differ greatly from that of our English neighbours. Indeed, the original Scottish racehorse, as opposed to the English Thoroughbred, has been bred, specifically, to facilitate riding without the need for reins. The slender ears of our sporting equines have evolved to achieve perfection in aerodynamic balance. Coupled with extraordinary stamina and endurance, our animals are second to none.
Jockey training is very intense. Originating mainly from the Highlands and Islands, the lads rarely reach more than 4' in height. Reared on a diet of Haggis, tatties and neaps, they are fit, healthy, agile and strong. What with the annual haggis shooting season and the Nessie-spotting tours in summer, our boys are well equipped with that same, necessary stamina and endurance needed to race these fine animals. Unfortunately, a lifestyle revolving around the tourist industry has led to a gradual, overall weight increase in our jockeys...often believed to be the reason for no other suitable mounts being found outside of this country.
There have been a few lucky ones like Willie Carr's son, who managed to successfully undergo treatment and training to maintain the low body weight that qualify as 'riding weight'. Those such as Jimmy find themselves in great demand by the most worthy trainers and owners simply because of their Scottish background, incredible balance and tactical racing techniques. That and the fact that the can speak english and look pretty good kilted up for a big race!
A little known fact in this scenario is that the origins of all these racing equines, here described, traces back to the same four animals; The Darley Arabian, the Bryerly Turk, Godolphin Arabian and Oor Jock. Without this potent, genetic mix the animals we race here today would be nothing more than the desert dwelling taxis of a by-gone age.
Bloodstock is not just a hobby, nor is it a simple, straightforward business... Bloodstock is a commodity on the international stock market. But the UK industry probably originated right here in Scotland!
Over the generations, closely guarded genetic theories and breeding policies have been inherited by those with a direct bloodline to the original family. Ken 'The Legendary', is one of those descendants. His success story is world famous. His ancestors not only bred generations of winners, they also rode them and trained them. To the pride of us Scots, Ken 'the Legendary' founded the National Bloodstock Auctions and the family continues training horses in the Scottish Borders to this day. Here, too, is the home of his bloodstock empire. It is reputed that the recipe for success will pass, exclusively, to family.
A great friend of the family, Jock Skerry, after retiring from a brilliant training career is now concentrating all his efforts into discovering the secrets of the original breeding of Oor Jock. Oor Jock was the progenerator of all that races on the sand tracks of Scotland today. He was reputed to be one of the most stubborn animals ever trained, but every single one of his progeny inherited his sleek ears, superb temperament and incredible stamina! Now you know? Nah! Noo ye ken!
Here, for you today, we have managed to locate a picture of this long-forgotten equine hero... Never before has Oor Jock been seen in this manner!
OOR JOCK by Edinburgh Rockfellow o.o. Northern Chancer (Neartrue)
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