Gerry Scott
When a famous footballer breaks a leg, it becomes headline news in the press, television and radio.
When a famous footballer breaks a leg, it becomes headline news in the press, television and radio.
A similar injury to a steeplechase jockey receives scant attention - such is the strange values in sport.
A similar injury to a steeplechase jockey receives scant attention - such is the strange values in sport.
Born on 5 January, 1938, Gerry Scott broke his legs six times; his collar-bones a dozen times; he had two smashed vertebrae and broke most of the bones in his hands.
Born on 5 January, 1938, Gerry Scott broke his legs six times; his collar-bones a dozen times; he had two smashed vertebrae and broke most of the bones in his hands.
He also had a constant battle against a natural big weight, eventually only accepting rides on horses weighted at more than 11st.
He also had a constant battle against a natural big weight, eventually only accepting rides on horses weighted at more than 11st.
The first animal Gerry rode was a favourite bullock on his father's farm near Reith, Yorkshire. At the age of seven he had his first pony and won most of the prizes in junior classes in the show rings of North Riding.
The first animal Gerry rode was a favourite bullock on his father's farm near Reith, Yorkshire. At the age of seven he had his first pony and won most of the prizes in junior classes in the show rings of North Riding.
His father held a permit to train when he was at Reith; the family later moved to Durham where he ran a riding school and broke horses with the help of young Gerry.
His father held a permit to train when he was at Reith; the family later moved to Durham where he ran a riding school and broke horses with the help of young Gerry.
Gerry joined Neville Crump as an apprentice in 1954; he suffered his first broken leg just three years later at Hexham.
Gerry joined Neville Crump as an apprentice in 1954; he suffered his first broken leg just three years later at Hexham.
He was just 22 when he won the 1960 Grand National on Merryman ll (the first-ever televised National) and, having broken both collar-bones just twelve days before, it was nothing short of a miracle that he did.
He was just 22 when he won the 1960 Grand National on Merryman ll (the first-ever televised National) and, having broken both collar-bones just twelve days before, it was nothing short of a miracle that he did.
Crump, referring to this latest injury, said to Gerry: 'You are riding the favourite and probable winner of the Grand National, but you have two broken collar-bones. I have to think about the owner, the horse and the public whether you can, over four and a half miles, give full justice to the big horse. I shall ask three doctors to see you and, on their judgement, will decide whether or not to find another jockey.'
Crump, referring to this latest injury, said to Gerry: 'You are riding the favourite and probable winner of the Grand National, but you have two broken collar-bones. I have to think about the owner, the horse and the public whether you can, over four and a half miles, give full justice to the big horse. I shall ask three doctors to see you and, on their judgement, will decide whether or not to find another jockey.'
Gerry went before the three-man panel of medical experts. The first pulled at his collar-bones and said he would be okay to ride in twelve days time. The second took the opposite view saying 'I give you no chance of being fit by then.' The third doctor agreed with the first.
Gerry went before the three-man panel of medical experts. The first pulled at his collar-bones and said he would be okay to ride in twelve days time. The second took the opposite view saying 'I give you no chance of being fit by then.' The third doctor agreed with the first.
'That's it,' said Crump. ' Two to one in your favour, Gerry. You'll ride Merryman ll.'
'That's it,' said Crump. ' Two to one in your favour, Gerry. You'll ride Merryman ll.'
In the race, Gerry was never out of the first four, in spite of nearly coming down at the Canal Turn.
In the race, Gerry was never out of the first four, in spite of nearly coming down at the Canal Turn.
Gerry recalls that the first man to greet him and congratulate him on his victory was the doctor who said he would not be fit enough to ride in the race.
Gerry recalls that the first man to greet him and congratulate him on his victory was the doctor who said he would not be fit enough to ride in the race.
In 1971, still involved with the Crump yard, Gerry would leave his Middleham home at 7 o'clock every morning, walk 100 yards across the square to Crump's stable and muck out and dress over his two horses. He would then ride work for the stable. On a non-racing day he would be back at Warwick House at 4.15 when once again he would muck out and dress over his two. His day would end at 6.30.
In 1971, still involved with the Crump yard, Gerry would leave his Middleham home at 7 o'clock every morning, walk 100 yards across the square to Crump's stable and muck out and dress over his two horses. He would then ride work for the stable. On a non-racing day he would be back at Warwick House at 4.15 when once again he would muck out and dress over his two. His day would end at 6.30.
Looking back, he said: 'Two things really got under my skin. Thoughtless motorists who come with their headlights on against you while you're riding on a slippery road; the other is riding a well-bred horse who refuses to go all out when the time comes. Give me an honest, genuine second or third-rate jumper who will battle it out to the bitter end.'
Looking back, he said: 'Two things really got under my skin. Thoughtless motorists who come with their headlights on against you while you're riding on a slippery road; the other is riding a well-bred horse who refuses to go all out when the time comes. Give me an honest, genuine second or third-rate jumper who will battle it out to the bitter end.'
In February, 1972, Gerry was told by the Betting Levy Board's chief medical officer that he would not be permitted to ride again.
In February, 1972, Gerry was told by the Betting Levy Board's chief medical officer that he would not be permitted to ride again.
Gerry had suffered a serious head injury the previous August. Returning to the stable, the young horse he had been exercising shied violently, throwing the jockey onto concrete.
Gerry had suffered a serious head injury the previous August. Returning to the stable, the young horse he had been exercising shied violently, throwing the jockey onto concrete.
At the end of his racing days, Gerry Scott became a Jockey Club starter.
At the end of his racing days, Gerry Scott became a Jockey Club starter.
Gerry's big race wins included Scottish Grand National, Charles Vickery Memorial Cup, John Eustice Smith Trophy & Wetherby Grand National Trial.
Gerry's big race wins included Scottish Grand National, Charles Vickery Memorial Cup, John Eustice Smith Trophy & Wetherby Grand National Trial.
Away from racing he was a partner with his brother in a coal business. Gerry was a great swimmer and a fine shot.
Away from racing he was a partner with his brother in a coal business. Gerry was a great swimmer and a fine shot.
Recalling Merryman ll's win he said: 'As soon as the gate went up and we jumped off a huge sod of earth hit me in the face and I couldn't see out of one eye. I went round the whole way with one eye closed and spent 20 minutes with the doctor afterwards as he cleaned me up
Recalling Merryman ll's win he said: 'As soon as the gate went up and we jumped off a huge sod of earth hit me in the face and I couldn't see out of one eye. I went round the whole way with one eye closed and spent 20 minutes with the doctor afterwards as he cleaned me up
Grand National winner: Merryman II (1960)
Grand National winner: Merryman II (1960)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1959: Scottish Grand National – Merryman II
1959: Scottish Grand National – Merryman II
1960: Tom Coulthwaite Chase – John Jacques
1960: Tom Coulthwaite Chase – John Jacques
1960: Rowland Meyrick Chase – Merryman II
1960: Rowland Meyrick Chase – Merryman II
1962: Hennessy Gold Cup – Springbok
1962: Hennessy Gold Cup – Springbok
1963: Lancashire Chase – Rough Tweed
1963: Lancashire Chase – Rough Tweed
1964: Tom Coulthwaite Chase – Springbok
1964: Tom Coulthwaite Chase – Springbok
1965: Becher Chase – Forest Prince
1965: Becher Chase – Forest Prince
1966: Tom Coulthwaite Chase – Forest Prince
1966: Tom Coulthwaite Chase – Forest Prince
1970: Mildmay of Flete Chase – Verona Forest
1970: Mildmay of Flete Chase – Verona Forest