In our latest staff Q&A, we find out about Scott Bailey, iRace Commercial Manager.
Which athlete do you think demonstrated the strongest mindset under pressure?
Michael Jordan. He just made magic happen no matter what the situation was.
Is there a sporting comeback that inspired you personally?
Tiger Woods coming back from his personal struggles and injury to win the 2019 US Masters was as a golf fan the best thing I have watched. I remember myself and golfing friends gathering at a friends house watching the final round into the early morning and even though some had bet on other golfers we were watching the best to play the game win another green jacket when everyone had written him off. That is what sport is all about.
Who was your first sporting idol and what made them stand out to you?
Ken Griffey Junior was a Centre Fielder for the Seattle Mariners. He had 630 Home Runs, 2781 Hits, 13x All Star, a 10x Golden Glove winner and Hall Of Famer. He was an elite ball player. When I was playing baseball, I tried to mimic his style and my coaches hated it. He played professional baseball alongside his father which is very rare in any professional sport. We recently saw a similar thing with Lebron James and his son.
Which team do you support, and how did that connection start?
I am a big Adelaide Crows fan in the Australian Football League. I never miss a game. Many people don’t know much about AFL from other countries but it is Australia’s biggest sport that is unique to us Aussies. My family moved to Adelaide when I was four and AFL is huge in South Australia and at that time, they were the only team from Adelaide in the national league so we started supporting them and I have never changed. I have never shifted supporting any team I am loyal from the start to finish.
What’s the most emotional match or moment you’ve experienced as a fan?
The 2017 AFL Grand Final still hurts. As a die-hard Crows fan, we were the best team all season winning the minor season premiership and were favourites coming into the biggest game of the year. We had not won a premiership for 20 years and it looked our year. We kicked the first two goals we were up and running but then a switch just flipped and the Richmond Tigers were all over us. I remember going to an Aussie sports bar here in Singapore to watch it and I was just quiet at the end We got destroyed in that game and the players and club were left in a mess which showed over the next seven years from key players leaving and problems internally at the club. I’m just glad I didn’t make the trip back to Australia to watch it live. It just makes me hungrier for that next flag.
What sports team or era do you think best embodied great teamwork?
The New England Patriots’ dominance under head coach Bill Belichick was built on strategic brilliance and a relentless focus to detail. Belichick’s unmatched ability to exploit opponents’ weaknesses and tailor game plans week-to-week set the team apart in that era. Combined with the leadership and clutch performances of quarterback Tom Brady, the Patriots created a dynasty. Their success wasn’t just about talent it was about culture. And that is why they won 6 Super Bowls and 17 division titles.
If you could have dinner with any athlete—past or present—who would it be, and what would you ask them?
I was fortunate enough to meet him once very briefly and find him a scotch that he requested but having dinner with Bart Cummings would be an enriching experience, offering a glimpse into the mind of one of the greatest horse trainers in racing history. Known as the “Cups King” for his record 12 Melbourne Cup victories, Bart possessed not only a legendary knowledge of horses but also a dry wit that made him as intriguing off the track as he was successful on it. Over a steak and a drink, he could share timeless stories from decades in racing, insights into the meticulous preparation behind his champions. I’ve been lucky enough to have meals with and play golf with some of racings best participants but Bart was one of a kind. He grew up and started his career in the same suburb in Adelaide I grew up in so there would be plenty of conversation about home.
Have you ever played sport competitively? If so, what did it teach you about performance, pressure, or teamwork?
As a young boy and teenager, I was really into playing Baseball. I played locally for a club and also attended a high school that had a baseball academy program. From an early age team sports are great for making friends, supporting and working together to get that win. I had to stop playing as I began to become an apprentice jockey but I do miss playing and the social atmosphere of a sports club.
How do you think data and analytics are reshaping the way fans interact with sport?
I am a punter and I strongly believe that the more information one has regarding data and analytics the better it is in making a decision. Even the history of head-to-head matches, Season averages and Market fluctuations make a big impact on your selections. You can be a supporter and follow your heart but you’ll come out winning more by following your brain.
How does your current role align with your passion for sport?
I am very lucky to continue working in the Horse Racing landscape. As a former jockey, Assistant Trainer, and Racing Broadcaster I pride myself on having experience in many sectors of the sport. Now as a Commercial Manager it is quite different in a sense being away from the tracks and horses but I get a front row seat to the workings and people that make big deals happen that keep the sport growing.
Connect with Scott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-bailey-69b29b232/