Scott Pringle
1906 - 1988
1906 - 1988
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Scotty Pringle served his apprenticeship with Robert Colling at Newmarket and rode as a professional National Hunt jockey from 1923 to 1951.
Scotty Pringle served his apprenticeship with Robert Colling at Newmarket and rode as a professional National Hunt jockey from 1923 to 1951.
Christened Marius Bell Pringle but better known as ‘Scotty’, he was born on December 1, 1906.
Christened Marius Bell Pringle but better known as ‘Scotty’, he was born on December 1, 1906.
Before the war he rode winners over jumps for various Newmarket trainers including Tom Leader and Robert Colling. He finished ninth in the 1938 Grand National on Lord Derby’s horse Under Bid.
Before the war he rode winners over jumps for various Newmarket trainers including Tom Leader and Robert Colling. He finished ninth in the 1938 Grand National on Lord Derby’s horse Under Bid.
After the war he based himself in the north. One of the most durable horses he rode was a two-mile chaser named Carley Hill, on whom he had won pre-war at Southwell’s Easter meeting on April 8, 1939, and then won on him again post-war seven years later at Carlisle on Easter Monday, April 22, 1946, by which time Carley Hill was 14 years old.
After the war he based himself in the north. One of the most durable horses he rode was a two-mile chaser named Carley Hill, on whom he had won pre-war at Southwell’s Easter meeting on April 8, 1939, and then won on him again post-war seven years later at Carlisle on Easter Monday, April 22, 1946, by which time Carley Hill was 14 years old.
The following season Scotty rode a double at Rothbury’s annual fixture, winning both divisions of the Carterside Novices’ Hurdle on False Colours and Harry Lane’s Lockerbie. He also rode Lockerbie to win over fences on at Hexham on Whit Monday 1948.
The following season Scotty rode a double at Rothbury’s annual fixture, winning both divisions of the Carterside Novices’ Hurdle on False Colours and Harry Lane’s Lockerbie. He also rode Lockerbie to win over fences on at Hexham on Whit Monday 1948.
He won six races in the 1948/49 season and rode 66/1 outsider Bruno II in the 1949 Grand National, falling at the 21st fence. Although based in the north he had managed to retain some of his southern connections, including Robert Colling, who provided him with wins at Southwell’s 1949 Easter meeting and at West Norfolk Hunt (now Fakenham) with a novice hurdler named Manar.
He won six races in the 1948/49 season and rode 66/1 outsider Bruno II in the 1949 Grand National, falling at the 21st fence. Although based in the north he had managed to retain some of his southern connections, including Robert Colling, who provided him with wins at Southwell’s 1949 Easter meeting and at West Norfolk Hunt (now Fakenham) with a novice hurdler named Manar.
Scotty began to wind down his riding career and took out a trainer’s licence in 1950, based at Exning, on the outskirts of Newmarket. His final winner as a jockey was also one of his first as a trainer, Giles Farnaby in a Southwell novices’ hurdle on May 22, 1951.
Scotty began to wind down his riding career and took out a trainer’s licence in 1950, based at Exning, on the outskirts of Newmarket. His final winner as a jockey was also one of his first as a trainer, Giles Farnaby in a Southwell novices’ hurdle on May 22, 1951.
He continued to train a small string at Exning until 1962 but never had a really good horse with which to make his mark. His best was probably a staying handicapper named Better Catch, who won the marathon Long Walk Handicap over 2m 4f 110yds at Windsor in 1951.
He continued to train a small string at Exning until 1962 but never had a really good horse with which to make his mark. His best was probably a staying handicapper named Better Catch, who won the marathon Long Walk Handicap over 2m 4f 110yds at Windsor in 1951.
Scotty’s head lad, Paddy Rudkin, who was with him until he relinquished his licence, subsequently joined Henry Cecil, became his head lad and was with Cecil for 26 years.
Scotty’s head lad, Paddy Rudkin, who was with him until he relinquished his licence, subsequently joined Henry Cecil, became his head lad and was with Cecil for 26 years.
Scotty Pringle died in 1988, aged 81.
Scotty Pringle died in 1988, aged 81.