Scot Free

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This article is about the horse. For the phrase, see Scot and lot.
Scot Free
Sire
2000 Guineas
(1884)

Scot Free (1881 – after 1887) was a British

gelded
.

Background

Scot Free was a brown horse bred in England by E Etches. As a

guineas[2] by James Foy, a professional gambler and bloodstock dealer.[3] He was trained by Tom Chaloner at Newmarket, Suffolk
. The colt was originally named Donald II.

He was probably the best horse sired by Macgregor, who won the 2000 Guineas and started odds on favourite for the Epsom Derby in 1870. Scot Free's dam Celibacy was a half-sister to Brown Bess, the female-line ancestor of Kennymore.[4]

Racing career

1883: two-year-old season

In 1883 Scot Free made three racecourse appearances. He recorded his only victory of the year when he won the Sapling Plate at

Sandown Park.[5]

1884: three-year-old season

Scot Free began his second season in the Craven Stakes over the Rowley Mile at

3/1 favourite for the 76th running of the 2000 Guineas over the same course and distance. The veteran George Fordham was expected to partner the colt but as he was suffering from ill-health, the ride went to Bill Platt.[8] On the eve of the race Fordham said that he was so weak that he might fall out of the saddle but asked that a bet of £5 should be placed on Scot Free on his behalf.[3] The best fancied of his nine opponents were Royal Fern, Superba (Champagne Stakes) and St Medard. Harvester was the first horse to show in front but Scot Free took the lead before half-way. The favourite never looked in any danger of defeat thereafter and accelerated away from his rivals in the closing stages to win by five lengths from St Medard, with Harvester a head away in third.[9] According to one account he "came bounding out of the Abingdon mile bottom [a furlong from the finish] like a cricket ball".[10]

In the Payne Stakes over ten furlongs at Newmarket two weeks later Scot Free started the 8/15 favourite but was beaten a length by Harvester, to whom he was conceding seven pounds in weight.

Derby Stakes[2] and in his absence Harvester ran a dead heat for first place with St. Gatien
.

At

St Leger over 14+1⁄2 furlongs. His preparation for the race had not been helped by the very dry conditions which led to unusually firm ground at Newmarket.[12] Ridden by John Osborne he was made the 4/1 favourite but was never among the leaders and finished ninth behind The Lambkin.[13]

Scot Free's winnings for the year came to £4,799.[14]

1885: four-year-old season

Scot Free remained in training as a four-year-old in 1885. During a training gallop early in the year, he threw his jockey and attacked another horse, losing several teeth in the ensuing fight.

Royal Ascot in June Scot Free started second favourite for the Gold Cup over 2+1⁄2 miles but finished last of the four runners behind St. Gatien, Eole and The Dutchman.[18]

Later career

Scot Free was not raced in 1886 and was gelded sometime before the 1887 racing season. He won the Trial Plate at the Epsom Spring Meeting, beating The Tyke by a length and a half. He was sold immediately after the race for 650 guineas.[19] Returned to J. Foy, he was last of seven runners in the Brighton High-Wright Plate in August 1887.[20]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Scot Free (GB), brown stallion, 1881[1]
Sire
Macgregor (GB)
1867 		Macaroni
1860 		Sweetmeat Gladiator
Lollypop
Jocose Pantaloon
Banter
Necklace
1860 		The Fallow Buck Venison
Plenary
Bracelet Touchstone*
Manacle
Dam
Celibacy (GB)
1869 		Lord Clifden
1860　 		Newminster Touchstone*
Beeswing
The Slave Melbourne
Volley
Cowl mare
1851 		Cowl Bay Middleton
Crucifix
Lanercost mare Lanercost
The Nun (Family 1-a)[4]

* Scot Free is inbred 4S x 4D to the stallion Touchstone, meaning that he appears fourth generation on the sire side of his pedigree and fourth generation on the dam side of his pedigree.

References

  1. ^ a b "Scot Free pedigree". Equineline.
  2. ^ a b "Sporting". The New Zealand Herald. 7 June 1884. p. 6 – via Papers Past.
  3. ^ a b "English". Otago Witness. 28 June 1884. p. 20 – via Papers Past.
  4. ^ a b "Bonny Lass - Family 1-a". Thoroughbred Bloodlines.
  5. ^ "Sporting". The New Zealand Herald. 3 May 1884. p. 6 – via Papers Past.
  6. ^ "Racing in England". Otago Witness. 14 June 1884. p. 20 – via Papers Past.
  7. ^ "Sporting Notes". The New Zealand Times. 12 July 1884. p. 4 – via Papers Past.
  8. ^ "English and Foreign". Otago Witness. 21 June 1884. p. 20 – via Papers Past.
  9. ^ "Ascot". Otago Witness. 21 June 1884. p. 20 – via Papers Past.
  10. ^ "Sporting Notes from England". Lyttleton Times. 2 July 1884. p. 3 – via Papers Past.
  11. ^ "Racing in New Zealand". Otago Witness. 5 July 1884. p. 19 – via Papers Past.
  12. ^ "Sporting Notes from England". Lyttleton Times. 31 October 1884. p. 3 – via Papers Past.
  13. ^ "Racing in England". Otago Witness. 25 October 1884. p. 20 – via Papers Past.
  14. ^ "English and Foreign". Otago Witness. 24 January 1885. p. 21 – via Papers Past.
  15. ^ "Racing Fixtures". New Zealand Observer. 25 April 1885. p. 11 – via Papers Past.
  16. ^ "Racing in England". Otago Witness. 13 June 1885. p. 20 – via Papers Past.
  17. ^ "Newmarket Craven". Otago Witness. 13 June 1885. p. 21 – via Papers Past.
  18. ^ "Racing in England". Otago Witness. 8 August 1885. p. 19 – via Papers Past.
  19. ^ Staff (20 April 1887). "The Epsom Spring Meeting". The Sportsman.
  20. ^ Staff (4 August 1887). "Keen Eye's Notes". The York Herald.
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