Brough Scott: The Former Jockey Who Became a Major Racing Voice

Introduction

Brough Scott is a British horse-racing journalist, broadcaster, author, and former jockey.

His racing story runs deep.

Before viewers knew him from television, Scott was already competing on racecourses. He rode more than 100 winners, later moved into journalism, helped establish the Racing Post, and became a familiar figure on ITV and Channel 4 racing coverage.

And he is still active.

As of September 2026, Scott continues to write about racing and remains associated with ITV Racing.

Quick Facts About Brough Scott

Fact	Details
Full name	John Brough Scott MBE
Known as	Brough Scott
Date of birth	12 December 1942
Age	83, as of September 2026
Nationality	British
Profession	Journalist, broadcaster, author, former jockey
Sport	Horse racing
Education	Radley College; Corpus Christi College, Oxford
Former racing career	Amateur and professional jump jockey
Riding record	More than 100 winners
Major riding win	1968 Imperial Cup
Television work	ITV Racing, Channel 4 Racing
Publishing connection	Co-founder of the Racing Post
Honour	MBE for services to sport
Current status	Active racing writer and broadcaster

Who Is Brough Scott?

Brough Scott is best known for his long connection with British horse racing.

But his career has several sides.

He raced himself. He wrote about racing. He presented it on television. He helped start a major racing newspaper.

Basically, he knew the sport from inside.

That experience helped make Scott different from presenters who entered racing purely through journalism. He had already dealt with horses, competition, race tactics, wins, and defeats from the saddle.

Then came broadcasting.

His television career stretched across several decades and covered many of the biggest events in international racing.

Early Life and Education

Scott studied at Radley College before attending Corpus Christi College at Oxford University.

Horse racing became a serious part of his life.

He did not simply watch it.

He rode competitively.

That early experience became the base for much of his later work. When he eventually started discussing races for newspapers and television audiences, he could speak from personal experience.

That mattered.

A race looks different from the saddle.

Brough Scott’s Career as a Jockey

Before becoming widely known as a broadcaster, Scott competed as both an amateur and professional jump jockey.

He rode more than 100 winners.

That is a serious racing record.

One of his best-known victories came in March 1968, when he rode Persian Empire to victory in the Imperial Cup at Sandown Park.

Scott later described that win as his finest hour as a rider.

His riding career also gave him direct knowledge of jockey life—the risk, preparation, pressure, and split-second choices made during a race.

He would later spend decades explaining that world to readers and television viewers.

Moving From Racing Into Journalism

Scott eventually moved from riding horses to writing about them.

It proved a natural switch.

He understood racing language. He knew the people. He knew what happened away from the television cameras.

Soon, journalism became a major part of his career.

Scott developed a long relationship with The Sunday Times, writing about racing and other sporting events.

His work has not been limited to horses either.

Across his journalism career, he has covered major sporting events including Wimbledon, the Open Championship, the Olympic Games, the football World Cup, and a British and Irish Lions rugby tour.

Still, racing remained the main thread.

It always came back.

Brough Scott and ITV Racing

Scott joined ITV’s racing coverage in 1971.

That started one of the longest-running broadcasting relationships in British racing media.

His television work eventually made him familiar to generations of racing fans.

Scott was not simply reading results.

He interviewed racing figures, explained events, discussed horses, reported from racecourses, and gave viewers context built from his own years within the sport.

His broadcasting career later included Channel 4.

Years With Channel 4 Racing

Scott became one of the major figures on Channel 4’s racing coverage.

He spent roughly three decades presenting races from Britain and abroad.

The events he covered included:

• The Derby
• The Grand National
• Cheltenham Festival
• Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
• Breeders’ Cup
• Melbourne Cup
• Japan Cup

Those assignments took him well beyond British racecourses.

It became an international career.

Scott also worked with NBC during his broadcasting years.

Then, in 2017, another familiar chapter started.

He returned to ITV Racing after ITV regained terrestrial racing coverage.

How Brough Scott Helped Start the Racing Post

Scott also holds an important place in British racing publishing.

He was involved in creating the Racing Post.

The idea developed after Scott met Sheikh Mohammed in February 1985.

That meeting helped set the newspaper project in motion.

The Racing Post later became one of the best-known specialist horse-racing publications in Britain.

Scott served as its Editorial Director and remained in that position until the business was sold in 2008.

His link with the publication continued after that.

He also wrote major features for the Racing Post.

His writing earned significant recognition, including the Sports Journalist of the Year award in 2010.

Books Written by Brough Scott

Scott has also written several books.

Many focus on racing personalities, horses, and figures whose lives crossed into sporting history.

His published works include:

• Galloper Jack
• Henry Cecil: Trainer of Genius
• Warrior
• Of Horses and Heroes
• Churchill at the Gallop

He has also worked on books connected with leading racing names, including Frankie Dettori and AP McCoy.

One book received particular recognition.

Henry Cecil: Trainer of Genius won the horse-racing category at the 2014 British Sports Book Awards.

His books show another side of his work.

Television moves quickly.

Books allow more space.

Scott has used that format to write about racing lives in much greater depth.

Brough Scott’s MBE and Racing Awards

Scott was appointed MBE in 2009 for services to sport.

At the time, his racing work extended well beyond journalism.

He was also heavily involved with the Injured Jockeys Fund.

Several more honours followed.

In 2019, Scott received the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Annual Award, recognising his contribution to horse racing.

Then came another major honour.

In November 2025, he received the Cartier/The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit.

The award recognised a career connected with racing across more than six decades.

That is a long stretch.

Very few people experience one sport from so many positions: jockey, journalist, broadcaster, editor, author, and welfare supporter.

Work With the Injured Jockeys Fund

Scott’s connection with jockey welfare goes back decades.

He became a trustee of the Injured Jockeys Fund in 1978.

Later, he became chairman.

Scott held that role from 2007 until 2019.

After stepping down as chairman, he became a lifelong vice president of the organisation.

The fund supports jockeys who suffer injuries and need help during or after their riding careers.

For Scott, this connection had a personal link.

He knew jockey life himself.

He knew the risks firsthand.

Brough Scott’s Wife and Family

Scott’s official website identifies his wife as Susie.

Other reliable reporting has referred to her as Susan.

The couple have four grown-up children and nine grandchildren.

Scott generally keeps much of his family life away from the centre of his professional profile.

Still, one recent public moment drew attention.

In June 2026, Scott and his wife joined King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the first carriage during the Royal Ascot royal procession.

Scott later described the experience as one of the greatest honours of his life.

For someone whose career has been tied to British racing for decades, the occasion carried obvious personal meaning.

Is Brough Scott Still Working?

Yes.

As of September 2026, Brough Scott remains professionally active.

His official website continues to carry recent racing articles linked with The Times and The Sunday Times.

His 2026 writing has covered subjects including the King George, Juddmonte International, the Ebor meeting, and Constitution Hill.

He also remains associated with ITV Racing.

So, basically, retirement has not fully arrived.

He is in his eighties.

Yet racing still keeps him busy.

Why Brough Scott Is Well Known in Horse Racing

Scott’s public profile cannot be explained by one job.

He has lived several racing careers.

First came riding.

Then journalism.

Television followed.

Publishing became another major chapter.

Books came too.

He also spent decades working with the Injured Jockeys Fund.

That combination gives him an unusual place in British horse racing.

He has reported on major events while also understanding what competing in them can feel like.

Few broadcasters can say that.

Interesting Facts About Brough Scott

He rode more than 100 winners.
Scott had a real competitive racing career before becoming famous on television.

He won the Imperial Cup.
His 1968 victory aboard Persian Empire became one of the main highlights of his riding career.

He helped create the Racing Post.
Scott played a founding role in developing the newspaper during the 1980s.

His sports reporting went beyond racing.
He covered major events including Wimbledon, the Olympics, football’s World Cup, golf, and rugby.

He returned to ITV Racing in 2017.
His return connected his current work with the broadcaster he originally joined back in 1971.

He received an MBE.
The honour came in 2009 for services to sport.

He remains active in his eighties.
Scott was still writing and appearing in British racing media during 2026.

Final Thought

Brough Scott has seen British horse racing from almost every angle.

He rode horses himself.

Then he explained racing to others.

That second career lasted decades.

Actually, it became several careers at once—newspaper writing, television, books, publishing, and jockey welfare.

His work with ITV, Channel 4, the Racing Post, The Sunday Times, and the Injured Jockeys Fund has kept his name closely tied to British racing.

And even at 83, he remains involved.

The race story continues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Brough Scott?

Brough Scott is a British horse-racing journalist, television broadcaster, author, and former jockey. He is known for his work with ITV Racing, Channel 4, the Racing Post, and The Sunday Times.

How old is Brough Scott?

Brough Scott was born on 12 December 1942. He is 83 years old as of September 2026.

Was Brough Scott a jockey?

Yes. Scott rode as both an amateur and professional jump jockey and recorded more than 100 winners.

Did Brough Scott win the Imperial Cup?

Yes. He won the 1968 Imperial Cup at Sandown Park while riding Persian Empire.

Did Brough Scott start the Racing Post?

Scott was one of the founding figures behind the Racing Post. The project developed following a meeting with Sheikh Mohammed in 1985.

Is Brough Scott still working?

Yes. As of September 2026, Scott remains active in racing journalism and continues to be associated with ITV Racing.

Who is Brough Scott’s wife?

His official website identifies his wife as Susie. Reliable reporting has also referred to her as Susan.

How many children does Brough Scott have?

Scott and his wife have four grown-up children. His official website also states that they have nine grandchildren.