by Chris Lomon

The humble horseman from Stony Plain knows just how humbling horse racing can be.

Scott McGinn is well versed in the unpredictability that comes with the territory, where each day and every race seems to deliver something new and typically unexpected.

That said, the trainer who hails from a small town found in the neighborhood of Edmonton, AB, has learned, over time, to embrace the unplanned and unforeseen.

“It’s a roller coaster,” McGinn said. “Even starting out as a groom, you watch your horses race, and you never know how it will turn out. This sport can be humbling. You really never know what is around the corner.”

This year has taught McGinn exactly that.

After a career-best 2023 campaign, one in which he recorded 10 wins and three thirds from 15 starts, to go along with $194,836 in earnings, he posted a 3-2-2 mark from 15 starts in 2024.

“It has definitely been different than last year,” he said. “Last year, G TS Skyla was a dominant 3-year-old filly here. We raced a few more horses, but it wasn’t necessarily as good a year as we hoped. I would say it was okay. But we had some nice 2-year-olds this year who showed potential.”

One of them is G Ts Jukebox Jack.

The son of Captain Deo—G Ts Jukebox Angel made a splashy debut on Sept. 1 at The Track on 2, a one-mile oval in Lacombe, AB.

Sent off as the 1-5 choice, the bay gelding notched a quarter-length score in 1:55.1.

“G Ts Jukebox Jack set a track record in that first start,” McGinn said. “That was definitely a highlight this year.”

Another memorable moment came with fellow rookie G Ts Captain Solo.

A bay son of Captain Deo—GTs Lady Katy, the gelding pulled off a 29-1 upset score in his Rocky Mountain Boys second division race.

“That was a great feeling, and it was a big-time effort from G Ts Captain Solo,” McGinn said. “I am looking forward to what both these horses can do next year. It will be nice to get them ready for our stakes season out here in Alberta. I think they will be near the top end of the 3-year-old class.

“We also have a full sister to G Ts Jukebox Jack — she’s a yearling — and she’ll be ready to race next year, hopefully. I am excited to see what she can do.”

There is also G Ts Asher, a son of Santanna Blue Chip—GTs Lady Katy.

The bay, owned by the McGinn family, has been somewhat of a handful for his trainer.

“He is turning 4 and he is another one we are optimistic about,” McGinn said. “He’s not quite a stakes-caliber horse, but he has shown potential. He’s a little bit of a pain in the butt, but you can see signs that he can be a good horse for us.”

There is also the upcoming return of a familiar face to look forward to.

“Also, in the next week, we will be bringing G Ts Skyla back from her injury she suffered this year,” he said. “So, we will start training her down and hopefully, she can make a comeback in 2025.”

It was G Ts Skyla who gave McGinn his first official training win, the milestone coming on Sept. 9, 2022.

There would be no need for a photo at the finish of the race that took place at Century Downs in Calgary, AB.

In fact, McGinn could have started celebrating at the top of the turn for home – but he resisted the urge to do so.

“That was her first career start, and she won easily,” he said. “It was a stakes race [ABSS Starlet 2-year-old first division] too. That was definitely an exciting moment. It was a great feeling. Once you saw her starting to separate herself from the pack, it was much easier to watch coming down the lane.”

As it was for the entire McGinn clan.

“Everyone was so happy,” he said. “My family has been in the business for quite a while now. My grandfather started it about 40 to 45 years ago. We are partners on all the horses now. By the end of the year, we will have five in training, plus a broodmare at home, G Ts Jukebox Angel, who is in foal.”

McGinn, who has fashioned an impressive record of 15-8-2 over just 41 career starts, is looking forward to what 2025 has in store on the racetrack.

After a year of both triumph and disappointment — more of the former — McGinn found clarity when it came to an uneven 2024 season.

“I would say this year had a lot of hard tests compared to 2023,” he said. “I think I have grown to be a lot more patient and a lot more realistic about everything.”

McGinn, an avid golfer, also leaned on the helpful words he received from his family when he first started out in racing.

“You always get good advice,” he said. “I think what has stuck with me is that you need to be patient in this game. You can’t rush into things, and you can’t rush your horses. You have to make sure you do things right, so that the horses can compete to the best of their ability. That is the biggest thing I have learned.”

Rolling with the punches, whether it’s taking one on the chin or finding a way to come out on top when the odds are not in your favor, has become second nature to McGinn.

With a stable full of possibilities, the trainer doesn’t need to be reminded that there will be hurdles to overcome when the calendar turns to 2025.

After all, the humble horseman from Western Canada knows there is no such thing as a sure thing in racing.

And that suits him just fine.

“Whether you have a favorite or a longshot in the race, you never know what can happen,” McGinn said. “But the greatest part of racing is when you win, whether you expect to or not. Every time you get that picture taken it is the best feeling in the world. It reminds you why this is such a great sport and what it takes to get there.”