Glenn Scott lives on through his dual-gaited war-horse
By Duane Ranger
Fred and Jan Scott know they have the foresight of their late son Glenn, to thank for the dual-gaited Take After Me’s 19th career win at Addington Raceway on Sunday (June 25).
Jan and Fred enjoying birthday celebrations.
The head-victory in race five – The Good Luck Hornby Panthers R35-40 Trot – saw the old 12-year-old Holmes Hanover war-horse surpass $250,000 in purses, since his debut second at Ascot Park way back in January 2014
“Glenn is the reason this fella is dual gaited and still doing so well at 12. He trained him right up until I took over in March 2021. Sadly, we lost Glenn to bowel cancer on April 19 that year. He was only 50.
“It was devastating to lose him, but at least we have all of his wonderful memories to keep us close to him – and the horses that he helped mold into athletes,” Kaiapoi-based Mr Scott said.
The father of two (to Blake and Hannah) was also a North Canterbury rugby league legend and community stalwart who helped rebuild the club and community when it was devastated by the earthquakes in 2011.
“He was more than a good horseman and League legend, he was a wonderful son, who is hugely missed by all, especially us, his wife Jenny, their two children and his siblings, Andrew and Shannon,” said Mr Scott.
Mr Scott (Senior) took over the training duties of Take After Me on March 12, 2021, where finished fifth at Westport.
The Scott’s late son, Glen
“By that time Glenn had converted the gelding into a trotter. He qualified him as a pacer originally, but Glenn always knew he could trot. He then converted him. Take After Me is a much better trotter than he is pacer. Fifteen of his 19 wins have now been as a trotter,” Mr Scott said.
“It’s quite ironic really because the horse is a Holmes Hanover gelding out of a Live Or Die four-win mare named Give Or Take,” the 74-year-old added.
Mr Scott bred and owns Take After Me with his wife, Janice. He also trains him. John Morrison did the driving on Sunday.
Mr Scott explained that Take After Me was the second, and most successful, of the 10 foals left by the 19-year-old Live Or Die – Sands Of Zeus (Sands A Flyin) mare, Give Or Take.
“I bought Give Or Take off my cousin, Neil Radford, when she was a 3-year-old. I rented some space off him and that’s how I got into the breed.
“I’ve always loved harness racing. I grew up with it. My father (Les) was a trainer, so horses have always played a big part in my life,” Mr Scott said.
“I actually bought my first horse many, many years ago. Her name was Lady Morano (1956 black Morano mare),” he added.
Give Or Take’s sixth foal, the 2015 Bettor’s Delight mare, Takemybreathaway, is the second most successful sibling after Take After Me. She has so far won six races for trainer/owner/breeder, Scott.
“The mare is currently in foal to Johny Rock, and she has left a lovely Johny Rock weanling filly we have named Take It Or Leave It. Johny Rock seems to be producing some nice foals. I’m glad I went and saw Graham (Court).
“I might try Terror To Love next, or perhaps give her a break. Afterall she is 19, and Jan and I aren’t getting any younger either, especially now that Glenn is not here to oversee the mares,” Mr Scott said.
He said Give Or Take has also left a 3-year-old American Ideal colt named Take The Deal.
“Ross Houghton broke him and by all reports he’s progressing well. Andrew, our other son, has a Syndicate which will hopefully oversee Take The Deal when he gets to the races.”
Glenn Scott and family
The Scotts are also breeding from Give Or Take’s third foal – the 2011 Bettor’s Delight maiden mare, Take A Break.
“She’s left six foals, including a Johny Rock weanling filly named Take A Dance With Me; a Panspacificflight yearling filly named Take A Chance On Me; a Vincent 2-year-old filly named Courtney Rose; and a 3-year-old Raging Bull filly named Take A Selfie.
“Then there’s also Take My Wallet (2018 Auckland Reactor – Take A Break mare), who was sold by Glenn to Australia in April 2021. She has won four races there.”
Asked what the best horse he has bred, Mr Scott replied:
“On share ability that would be Take My Breath Away (7-year-old Bettor’s Delight – Give Or Take mare). She is the disappointment I’ve come across. She’s a real enigma. She’s won seven races ($73,354), but it could have been a lot more had she done things right and tied up a lot.
“So, in saying that the numbers show that this latest winner (Take After Me) is the best I’ve bred or owned,” Mr Scott said.
The Kaiapoi horseman has only been training since he lost his son. In two-and-a-half seasons, Mr Scott has trained 15 winners and 26 place-getters from 198 starters ($155,964).
He has held several jobs during his working life,. including 24 years at the nearby Belfast Freezing Works.