By Shea Brown
Before I had personal experience with an off-the-track Thoroughbred, I was part of a large group of people that stereotypically consider some of these horses to be wild and high strung. Growing up in the hunter/jumper world, this was a common perception. And while some OTTBs do have these characteristics, that doesn’t mean they all do and doesn’t make them any less lovable.
When my parents, Trey and Dara Brown, purchased the majority share of a yearling, my perspective changed. Lone Scout, who now goes by just Scout, is a Maryland-bred gelding by Tonalist out of the Arch mare I’m Always Hopeful. Trainer Bob Hess Jr. bought the horse as a yearling and soon after invited a small group to partner with him.
“I first put eyes on Lone Scout in Ocala, Fla., in February 2019,” Trey Brown said. “He’d just turned 2 and was in gate training looking every bit the part of an ambitious young racehorse.”
Lone Scout started his career in early 2021 and eventually broke his maiden in 2022. He ran his last race in March 2025 at Santa Anita Park, finishing his career with $108,340 in earnings and eight in-the-money finishes. At 7 years old and after 19 starts, it was time for the athlete to retire.
I met Scout for the first time in May and didn’t know what to expect. Despite my parents telling me he was a sweetheart, part of me was prepared to meet a riled up and unpredictable horse. I’ll just say this – I was wrong.
There’s nothing like the feeling of meeting a horse for the first time and feeling instantly comfortable around them; like you’ve known them your whole life. A sense of calm settles over me when I’m around horses in general, but the feeling I had with Scout was on a different level.
Over the last few months, Scout has been learning the joys of being just a horse at a farm in Athens, Ga. He loves trail rides, loves mud even more and can be found working on strengthening his topline and his right lead (of course).
Hess felt that Scout could be successful in another career after retiring from racing.
“With him, he was such a good mover, very professional, kind of bomb proof,” he said. “You always knew that if we kept him healthy that after his racing career he’d be a good riding horse or hunter/jumper.” Hess said.
While Scout does have a residual injury making him unable to jump comfortably, I have sights set on a therapy horse career for him. The idea that others could experience the same feeling I get from being around him would be truly rewarding.
I have been lucky to gain firsthand experience with an OTTB that helped expand my perceptions, but I know that opportunity is not available to everyone. If I can help others shift their preconceptions and offer a real inside look at life with an OTTB, then this is a story worth telling.
Shea Brown is a senior at the University of Georgia studying journalism and mass communication.
