81-year-old champion trainer chasing another Group 1

More than 30 years after legendary harness racing trainer Vic Frost won the Inter Dominion final with Westburn Grant he is chasing more Group 1 glory.

And the connection with Westburn Grant runs deeper with Frost’s latest stable star, Scotch En Ice, being a grandson of the three-time Australian Horse of the Year.

Scotch En Ice’s 23-year-old dam, Frostiness, is by Westburn Grant and has carried on the family tradition of success with 10 foals to race for an impressive eight winners.

“Scotch En Ice could be the best of them yet,” Frost said. “He’s just a perfect racehorse, plenty of talent and very versatile.”

Scotch En Ice is one of the major players in Friday night’s $100,000 Group 1 NSW Regional Championship Hunter final at Newcastle.

The big prizemoney was enough to lure the 81-year-old Frost away from his home “paradise” at Sleepy Hollow, halfway between Byron Bay and Tweed Heads, to head to Newcastle.

“Who would’ve thought, hey?” Frost laughed. “I’d gotten used to sending around a few ordinary ones in Brisbane, but this has rejuvenated me again. It’s great.”

Frost’s wife, Gail Geeson, said it’s been a thrill watching Frost’s excitement at chasing Group 1 glory again deep in the twilight of his stellar career.

“He’s just so excited. It’s fantastic. He’s got a real spring in his step,” she said. “He’s 81 now, but everybody remarks how young and energetic he seems. He’s a marvel.”

Frost is also enjoying the Newcastle experience with friend and stable driver, Matt Elkins.

“Matt’s never won a Group 1, so he’s excited about this week, too,” Frost said. “I’m pretty sure he’s never driven outside Queensland before this either. He went to Tamworth to drive one day, but they called the meeting off when got there.”

What makes it even more rewarding is the fact Scotch En Ice is a home bred, like every one of the 10 horses Frost and Geeson have in training.

“That’s all we do now, breed, own and race our own,” Frost said. “They’re basically all connected back to Westburn Grant in some way – daughters, sisters, mothers, all the same family.”

Westburn Grant, who at the age of 34 in 2020, is one of the all-time harness racing greats.

He was a megastar from day one and finished with 38 wins and 18 placings from his 67 starts.

Remarkably, three decades ago, he banked over $2 million in prize money.

Along with his Inter Dominion win, Westburn Grant also won two Miracle Miles (1989 and ’90), two WA Pacing Cups (1991 and ’92), two SA Pacing Cups (1990 and ’92) and the 1991 Australian Pacing Championship.

For full Newcastle Friday race fields, click here.

by Adam Hamilton, courtesy of News Corp