3 minute read
Young jockey all set to partner Flying Childers winner at Keeneland.
After just two rides at Group level, Rowan Scott cannot believe he has the chance to make his Breeders' Cup debut this week.
The 24-year-old Scot, who only recently took out his professional licence, will be one of the least experienced riders at Keeneland.
Yet he is determined to seize the opportunity given to him on Ubettabelieveit, in Friday's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, by owner Martin Webb and trainer Nigel Tinkler.
"I can't believe I have found a horse that can take me there – it's a miracle," said Scott.
"Martin Webb is also my sponsor and he has been good to me to let me keep the ride. It could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Scott, from Hawick, earned his chance after he and Ubettabelieveit took the Group Two Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster in September.
It was Scott's first victory on the two-year-old, who had won the Listed National Stakes under Oisin Murphy and this time sealed his success when coming late to prevail by a short-head at odds of 40-1.
He has ridden 18 winners in 2020 out of a career total of 103 in eight seasons, beginning his career with Ann Duffield – since when he has shifted between Yorkshire and Scotland, before settling in Malton with the resurgent Tinkler.
"I went to Ann's when I was at school and stayed there for four years," said Scott.
"Then I went to Keith Dalgleish's stable, because it was a bit closer to home. I spent a couple of years there. I did well, but it was a lot of travelling.
"Now I am happy where I am. Nigel is very good to me. He is my main trainer, and I have also been riding for Phil Makin and Alastair Whillans.
"Nigel has more horses than he's ever had, and we are finding a few nice ones along the way."
Ubettabelieveit is best on quick ground, but has no experience around a bend – so will need to adapt to that test at Keeneland.
"It is going to be a great experience to go there, win or lose," added Scott.
"Hopefully he can run well. The horse has every right to be there. He won the Flying Childers with a bit in hand.
"It's about how he will adapt to the style of racing. He is a hold-up horse. We can't change that, but we will have to hope the race pans out and we get a nice run through."
Subject to passing his Covid test, Scott will fly to Kentucky on Monday to team up with Tinkler – who is already at Keeneland.
Tinkler said: "I'm delighted to be here and have my first Breeders' Cup runner.
"It is a meeting I have always followed and loved watching back home, so to have a runner is brilliant.
"Ubettabelieveit seems to have taken the traveling well. He'll have an easy couple of days in quarantine, then will get him out on the training track on Monday."
