VETERAN TRAINER

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 29, 3 August 1939, Page 13

VETERAN TRAINER

JAMES SCOBIE HONOURED

The veteran Australian trainer James Scobie celebrated his 79th birthday early last month, and the affection and esteem in which he is held was demonstrated by the tributes paid to him by a representative assemblage of racing fraternity at a luncheon to mark the occasion.

Born at Ararat in 1860, Scobie has been associated with racing from his boyhood. He. won a fine reputation as an accomplished and fearless jockey in hurdle events and steeplechases, and on turning his attention to training started a remarkable series of successes, which through the years took in most, if not all, of the principal races in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Launceston, and Hobart, in addition to winners in Perth. .

The victories included four Melbourne Cups. For Mr. E. E. D. Clarke he won stakes aggregating well over £130,000. He is still one of the keenest of trainers, and is present at the Flemington track before 7 a.m. to supervise the preparation of horses under his care.

It was a very happy function, and Scobie stated he had not felt better for years. If, after passing his 80th birthday next year, he disposed of Pytchley Lodge, he proposed to take a trip to Great Britain. He had in mind the splendid tour he had enjoyed there twelve years ago.