Hard work and dedication is what is required to become a great horse racing trainer. Not to mention regular track work that begins at day break, each horse trainer has a hugh responsibility to make sure that a runner reaches its full potential, making it a good proposition for the owner. To get this job done, trainers must have patience, perseverance and passion, which trainer James Scobie had more than his fair share of.Born at Ararat in Victoria on the 18th July 1960, James Scobie was the son of a stonemason, William Scobie. His passion for horses made Scobie decide to work as a horseboy and jockey in Melbourne Victoria in his young years after a short education. His first taste of success came as a stable rider for Robert Howie of Ballarat in a metropolitan jumping race. Between 1882 and 1893 Scobie trained many winners in main jumping races in Melbourne and in Oakbank, South Australia. Scobie's career as a trainer got off to a fantastic beginnning since he bought racing stables from Robert Howie at Miners Rest not far from Ballarat. As a trainer for Norman Wilson, Scobie brought home winners in the Hobart Cup and Australian Cup in 1885. Apart from his passion for training horses, he was a strong cross-country rider and a member of the Melbourne Gun Club as well. Scobie was an shrewd opportunist who sought rich patrons. His long association with Sir Rupert Clarke and his brother, Ernest, brought much success to his stables. Scobie was known for his expertise in conditioning stayers, where his horses were rarely beaten. His first Melbourne Cup winner was Clean Sweep, after which he became one of only nine trainers to win more than two Melbourne Cups, with 4 wins to his credit. His first Australian Jockey Club and Victoria Racing Club Derbys came through Maltster, in 1900. In 1906, Scobie became non-resident manager for Ernest Clarke's stud in Melton. Taking the advice from the chairman of the Victoria Racing Club, R. G. Casey, Scobie shifted to Pytchley Lodge in Flemington in the year 1911. This was where he did his prep work for other Melbourne Cup victors that included King Ingoda winning in 1922, followed by Bitalli in 1923, and Trivalve in 1927. Stand By, one of his favorite horses, failed to make it to the post in 1924. However, the racing fraternity greatly acknowledged his skills in training Bitalli, a delicate horse that had to be brought to full fitness, by backing it to 4/1 favorite in the Melbourne Cup. Hua, brought Scobie his eighth Victoria Derby in 1937 while Lusson gave him his fifth South Australian Jockey Club Derby in 1939. A broken leg did not stop Scobie from his duties as a trainer, which he continued almost until his death. Neither was he a man to take all the credit, sharing it with his long-time jockey of forty years, Bob Lewis. Scobie was cremated in Melbourne on 5 October 1940 leaving behind an estate valued at 57,962. He is survived by his son Norman. In 2001 Scobie was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
