JACK Stott is being remembered in a way he would be absolutely chuffed about.
The late well-known Newcastle businessman and keen racing fan has had two horses named in his memory - and one of them is running at Royal Randwick tomorrow.
Lightly-raced four-year-old Remember Jack resumes from a lengthy break in the TAB Highway Handicap (1000m), and Nash Rawiller is on board.
Stott’s NCP Printing was Newcastle Jockey Club’s racebook printer for many years, and he always enjoyed a day out at the track.
“Jack passed away three years ago this October, and unfortunately never got to see Remember Jack race,” his son-in-law Peter Robinson said.
“He would have been thrilled to have the horse named after him, let alone win races.”
Robinson and his wife Jen are part of the syndicate – which includes Scone trainer Stephen Jones’ partner Tracy Rodger - which races Remember Jack.
Her first foal Brown Ben (by Big Brown) won seven races, four of them in Adelaide, and her second foal to race Aspect (by Pluck) won the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate on debut at Flemington in November 2016, and also scored in Adelaide.
“Jack was alive when we took Remember Jack to the 2021 Magic Millions yearling sale at the Gold Coast,” Robinson said.
“But we kept him after being offered $60,000, which was $10,000 short of the reserve price.
“We have known Jonesy (Stephen Jones) for quite a while, and he was there working for Gerry Harvey and mentioned he would like to train him.
“Remember Jack was a late foal (November 20, 2019) and we didn’t rush him. He didn’t race until he was a three-year-old.”
Now a four-year-old, Remember Jack has faced the starter only six times for three wins, but has been off the scene since July last year when he contested a Class 3 TAB Highway (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens, won by Goulburn flyer Mojo Magic, who has won five of his six starts.
“Unfortunately Remember Jack was injured that day, and that’s why he has had such a long time off,” Robinson explained.
“Jonesy is happy with how he is progressing. He won a 1000m trial at Scone a couple of weeks ago, and his work has been really good.
“He has drawn awkwardly tomorrow and is going to take improvement from his first run in eight weeks, but we’re really looking forward to seeing him start up again.”
The Robinsons also have a younger brother to Remember Jack.
“Innishbeg slipped to Press Statement after producing Remember Jack, and then foaled a Headwater colt in October 2021 around the time of Jack’s passing,” Robinson said.
“Jonesy came up with the name Don’t Forget Jack.
“He is a two-year-old and whilst yet to race, it’s safe to say none of us will ever forget a wonderful man who we miss so dearly.”
Story John Curtis, March 1, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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